Rowan Sullivan, Author at FilmRoot

291

Meteors – Martial Law in Kurdish Turkey

Meteors Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

What bad things happened in 2015? You may remember the Paris attacks, the Charleston Church shootings, or even the picture of the drowned Syrian boy lying face down on the beach. However, you probably didn’t hear about the Turkish crackdown on the Kurdish PKK. It seems like no professional cameramen were there to capture the events. However, just as in Silvered Waters, the public captured it all on their mobile phones.

From: Turkey, Asia
Watch: Trailer
Next: Silvered Water, Ahlaam, The Burmese Harp

292

I am Cuba – A Soviet Made Masterpiece

I Am Cuba Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Soviet-made Cuban films don’t do half measures, they go all in. I am Cuba is no exception. The cinematography is more stylish than most films you’ll ever see and some of the shots are truly unforgettable. Add in Cuban history from the 1920s to the 1950s and you’ve got one truly epic film.

From: Cuba, North America
Watch: Trailer, Watch on Amazon
Next: Lucia, Battle of Algiers, Battleship Potemkin

293

Djon Africa – Fantasy vs. Reality in Cape Verde

Djon Africa Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

You might have a vision about a particular place you’ve never visited, but you have to go there to really see what it is like. In Djon Africa, Miguel dreams of meeting his father from Cape Verde, so he decides to seek him out by going there. His fantasies of a place covered with beautiful women and parties are tested by reality.

From: Cape Verde, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Watch on Amazon
Next: Wan Pipel, Wallay, Song of the Sea

294

Cocote – Religion and Ritual in the Dominican Republic

Cocote Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

Are blood ties stronger than spirituality? Find out in Cocote as one man returns home to bury his father. Is it worth sacrificing a stable Christian life in the city for a family life he has tried to leave behind.

From: Dominican Republic, North America
Watch: Trailer, Buy Direct, Kanopy, Hoopla
Next: Batuque, White Sun, Blue Ruin

295

Purple Butterfly (China) – Wartime Resistance

Purple Butterfly Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

You might find Purple Butterfly confusing to watch at first. It’s not clear what’s going on because of the constant cutting and lack of dialogue. However, if you watch on, you’ll be rewarded with a film that is stylistically different from many you’ve seen and uniquely beautiful.

From: China, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Buy on Amazon,
Next: The Grandmaster, Summer Palace, Burning