Rowan Sullivan

336

The Cursed Ones (Ghana) – A Murder Mystery in Rural Ghana

The Cursed Ones Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Murder, witchcraft, corruption, and superstition. The Cursed Ones has a lot going on to keep you entertained for the duration of the film. If you’re looking for a story like the protagonist in this film, then watch The Cursed Ones for free on Flix Premiere.

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Why Watch The Cursed Ones?
  • To see that witch trials are still happening around the world (also see I Am Not A Witch)
  • If you love a good murder mystery
  • For a trip to a remote town in rural Ghana
  • Learn that the people are not always right (we are victims of fake news and scheming pastors)
The Breakdown

The Cursed Ones starts with a young pastor with a black eye listening to a tape recording. We hear that there has been murder in the town the pastor is from. It’s a flash forward, intended to get us quickly involved into the plot and watch on.

After the intriguing opening scene we get a lot of plot exposition. We are shown how one of the village hunters finds a young mute girl (Asabi) in the woods and brings her home. Then we follow Godwin, a journalist from the city, sent to cover the festival in the hunter and pastor’s home town. It’s obvious the town is remote. There doesn’t appear to be any running water or electricity and it’s surrounded by lush forests. It’s the perfect setting for a murder mystery.

Corruption in the Church & Witchcraft?

The director first shows the head pastor of the village talking to one of the villagers inside a pretty dark room. The lack of colour in the room, contrasted to the bright colours outdoors, makes the scene appear pretty ominous. It’s an early clue to the audience, that the head pastor should not be trusted.

In contrast to the head pastor, the young pastor is friendly and talkative, and is obviously committed to his teaching (he doesn’t leave his class to be interviewed by Godwin). Because of his popularity, he seems like the better fit for the head pastor role. As a result, the head pastor seeks extreme ways to control his congregation. He claims that the devil has found his way into the village and lives in the young ‘witch’, Asabi. He exploits the superstitions of the villagers to imprison Asabi, claiming that only he can save them if they kill her and continue to follow him.

The plot gets a little more complex when a witch doctor arrives on the scene and starts extorting money from the villagers to ‘protect’ their children from evil spirits. Whilst the head pastor challenges the villagers trust in this witch doctor, it later becomes clear that they have been colluding to extort money from the village. The whole story challenges the integrity of the church and gullible congregations.

Conclusion & what to watch next

The Cursed Ones challenges the integrity of the church and the gullible villagers that blindly follow them. They are both to blame for the murders and the witch trials. There’s a lot going on in this film, which makes the plot a bit busy, but will keep you entertained throughout.

For a more artistic portrayal of ‘witches’ in Africa, check out Zambia’s I Am Not a Witch. It features another young girl, who is accused of being a witch because she doesn’t talk. It dives deeper into the prejudices and strange superstitions.

If you liked the mystery element of this film, I recommend watching October 1. It’s a Nigerian movie that follows an old policeman trying to solve 3 murder cases in a rural town to help Nigeria achieve independence from Britain.

 

337

Wadjda (Saudi Arabia) – The Perfect Coming of Age Film

Wadjda Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

This is your opportunity to see the perfect heartwarming story from Saudi Arabia. In fact, it’s probably your best chance to see a film from Saudi Arabia, as this was the first feature film shot entirely in the country. So go watch it here (rent on Amazon) now.

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Why Watch Wadjda?
  • It’s the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and by a female director!
  • If you love coming-of-age films
  • To experience the what life as a woman is like in Saudi Arabia
  • If you saw Children of Heaven and want to see more similar films!
The Breakdown

The film starts in a girls school in Saudi Arabia. The very first thing you see is a close up of the shoes on the feet of the girls as their names are being taken for register in the morning. The camera passes an array of smart school shoes before settling on a pair of converses. This is how we meet our protagonist Wadjda.

The close up shots don’t stop when we meet Wadjda, as all the scenes of her at school and at home are never shot from far away. Therefore we are never given a complete view of her school or her home, and you rarely get an establishing shot (a shot which allows you to ‘establish’ the setting) of the area she lives in. But this changes as she begins to challenge the authority of her parents and school. Towards the end of the film, these establishing shots are more common. You’ll see a wider view of the school assembly hall, complete shots of the square by their house, and a shot of Wadjda cycling through the town. The whole world frees up just as Wadjda starts breaking boundaries. It’s an subtle way of using camera distance to reflect the restrictive social boundaries.

Religion and Gender Roles

Of course you’ll also witness all the lack of freedom of women in Saudi Arabia in this film. You’ll hear some great quotes, such as:

  • “If you can see them (the men), they can see you. Respectable girls go inside”
  • “Don’t touch the Koran if you are on your period”
  • “A woman’s voice must not be heard by a man outside. Her voice is her nakedness”

These lines are meant to be provocative, but they’re also pretty funny and add to the slightly comic tone of the film. And that’s what makes this film great: it’s a feelgood film but it doesn’t hide the repressive society.

Conclusion and What to Watch Next

Wadjda perfectly walks the line between becoming a heavy political movie and a childish one. As a result, it’s the perfect coming of age film: Wadjda is an awesome character oppressed by the cultural and religious restrictions. The way she stands up to society is amazing. So go and watch it here.

If you want more, I’d first check out another awesome family friendly film from Iran: Children of Heaven. It’s even more heartwarming.

But I’d also recommend checking out The Bicycle Thieves. It’s obvious that Wadjda draws a lot of influences from The Bicycle Thieves. It uses bikes as a symbol of freedom and even shares a similar final shot.

338

The Road Home (China) – Fall in Love with Zhang Yimou’s China

The Road Home Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Are you looking for a love story that will warm your heart? Or are you looking to explore rural China and all it’s customs and culture? Either way, check out The Road Home, a beautiful love story set in rural China directed by Zhang Yimou. Currently available to watch here on Amazon (for rent)

Why Watch The Road Home?
  • If you’re in the mood for a romantic love story
  • You’re a fan of Zhang Yimou’s martial arts films (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) and you want to see him explore something different
  • To learn about customs (and superstitions) in rural China
  • See how different school is in this film
The Breakdown

The first part of The Road Home is shot in the present day in dull black and white. Luo Yusheng arrives at his family home in rural China having traveled from his home in the city. His father has just died, and he’s come home to keep his mum company and sort out the funeral arrangements.

Tradition says you need to carry the dead all the way home whilst shouting out ‘this is the way home’ to remind them how to return. Yusheng’s mum is adamant that he must honor this tradition for their father. However, this tradition has rarely been carried out since the Cultural Revolution in the 60s and 70s. Whilst he’s figuring out what to do with his father’s body, the narrative switches to the story of Lusheng’s parents romantic courtship which has become a legend in their hometown.

Is this film a challenge to the state of Communism in China?

On the surface, The Road Home appears to be a regular love story. But, if you pay a bit more attention, you’ll see an underlying critique of the state of Communism in China.

In The Road Home, Zhang Yimou critiques the loss of culture. You’ll hear this first when the mayor says that the traditional burial mentioned above has not been done since the Cultural Revolution (a subtle jab against the Cultural Revolution for taking away part of Chinese Culture). But, more obviously the critique is present in the film’s portrayal of the past.

Whilst the present is shot in a dull black and white, the past is shot in vibrant colour. The colour reflects the emotion and hope embedded in the past, when the Communist Revolution was still young. In contrast the dull black and white of the present symbolises how the hope and optimism of the Communist Revolution has disintegrated and has taken culture and emotion with it.

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Conclusion & What To Watch Next

The Road Home is a beautiful love story set in rural China. Luckily for all of you who don’t want to settle for pure cheesy romance, there’s much more to this film than initially meets the eye. Because if you look carefully, you’ll see the subtle critique of the direction of Chinese Communism.

If you want more romance, click here to explore all the films under in our Love film category.

Or if you’re looking for more Chinese film, head over to our Chinese film page. We recommend checking out A Touch of Sin for a more brutal depiction of life in contemporary China.

 

339

The Challenge – Gain Exclusive Access to the Richest Sheiks in Qatar

The Challenge Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

What would you do if you do if you had all the money in the world? Well, this film might give you a few ideas. These Qatari Sheiks have all the money in the world and are not afraid to spend it. Plus, more amazingly, director Yuri Ancarani has somehow got complete access to their lives. So this is your chance to see what some of the richest people do in their free time. You can watch it now with a free trial on Mubi (via Amazon).

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Why Watch the Challenge?
  • To gain exclusive access to the lives of Qatari Sheiks
  • If you like slow artistic films – this one has a lot of arty long shots and beautifully rich (pun intended) cinematography
  • To see if you can spot the 2001: A Space Odyssey reference. Hint: there’s a big black block in the middle of the desert signalling the evolution/height of mankind
  • Or simply to see what weird things you can buy with big money
The Breakdown

The Challenge starts intimately with a montage of close up shots of a few Sheiks. Each one of them is looking upwards with excitement in their eyes, not dissimilar to the eyes of an inquisitive child. Ancarani then cuts to what they’re looking at; a big warehouse full of birds of prey flying around. Then it’s your turn to feel surprised as you’re treated to a full 5 minute shot of this peculiar warehouse. Welcome to the life of the richest Sheiks of Qatar.

First you’ll be amazed by the weird things these rich Sheiks own. One Sheikh hops into a Lamborghini with his pet Cheetah sitting in the front seat on a leash. Then you’ll meet a group of Sheiks motorbiking through the desert on golden Harley Davidsons. Or maybe you’ll be surprised by a mass of 4 wheel drives speeding across sand dunes like surf boarders. It’s not a world that you’ll be used to (unless you’re a rich Qatari yourself) and the vibrant cinematography enhances the opulence.

However, as the film progresses, there’s one emotion that seems consistent with all the wealthy sheiks on screen. They all seem to be fighting boredom. This is even more noticeable with the complete absence of dialogue. As even though they take part in all these different activities, it still appears that it’s not interesting enough to talk about. There’s one particular scene where this is particularly obvious. There’s one Sheikh who’s on his knees in the middle of a room tending to a bird of prey and surrounding him are a load of Sheiks sitting slumped on cushions around the edge of the room. None of them look interested in the guy in the middle of the room. But none of them also look like they can be bothered to move to try and find something else to do. Does too much money equal boredom?

Conclusion and What to Watch Next

Whilst you may be put off by some of the long shots and sudden movements of the ‘bird cams’ you should be able to appreciate the cinematography of the film. The vibrant colours and sunsets caught on film only add to the opulent lifestyle that will be so foreign to many of us.

If you’re looking for a more political Middle Eastern film, I recommend checking out Ajami or Sandstorm from Palestine and Israel.

However, if you’re looking for more opulence, you should check out the Academy Award winner, The Great Beauty (Amazon rental) from Italy.

 

 

 

340

OSCAR Predictions 2018 – Who Will Win & Who Should Win

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Oscar Predictions 2018

With the Academy Awards only 2 days away, I thought I’d throw my hat into the prediction ring. So here are my predictions for who will win, as well as my thoughts on who should win.

We’ve also made a 2018 Oscars Nominee Viewing Guide which shows you where to watch each of the Oscar nominees (on Amazon, at the Cinema, and even Netflix). And scroll to the bottom to fill out your predictions for a chance to win a surprise Blu-Ray DVD from 2018.

So here we go, here are the predictions. Feel free to tear into them on Sunday night/Monday morning!

Best Actor

Is this one really as ‘easy’ as everyone thinks? Gary Oldman has already scooped up the SAG and BAFTA top prizes and his role fits exactly what the Academy Award loves: historical figures, transformations, and of course, good acting. But the Academy also loves Daniel Day Lewis (3 career wins already), and Timothee Chalamet has what is probably the best performance of the category, maybe even the whole acting category. Which is why I’m going for the upset. Although Gary Oldman deserves a career Oscar and his performance in Darkest Hour is good, Timothee Chalamet’s performance was excellent. Therefore I’m predicting he will be the deserving winner of the Best Actor award.

Should Win: Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

Will Win: Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

Best Actress

After the upset call in the Best Actor category, I’m playing it safe in The Best Actress category. Frances MacDormand has already won the top awards at the SAG and BAFTA ceremonies and is brilliant in her role. I can only see another candidate winning if critics are pan Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri  and all their actors are damaged as a result. Only then could the equally deserving, Saoirse Ronan sneak in for the win.

Should Win: Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

Will Win: Frances MacDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actor

There’s only one former winner in the Best Supporting Actor category and that’s latecomer Christopher Plummer. But if things go as expected, this will be another win for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Not for Woody Harrelson, who was also nominated, but for Sam Rockwell. His biggest challenger is Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project (which you should go watch). We marginally prefer Willem Dafoe’s role, but we’re not going to complain if Sam Rockwell wins as both acted their roles perfectly.

Should Win: Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

Will Win: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress

Another acting category and another ‘upset’. Whilst the talk has mostly focused on Allison Janney’s mean mum, I think Laurie Metcalf’s mean mum will win this one. Allison Janney has the more memorable role, and acts well, but I think Laurie Metcalf’s performance was better. Just think of that scene in the car. And if you don’t know what scene I’m talking about you haven’t watched the film… so go watch it!

Should Win: Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

Will Win: Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

Best Director

This one is up for grabs. Whilst Guillermo Del Toro has won at the Director’s Guild, Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson are both admired in the industry. I wouldn’t even rule out first-timers Jordan Peele and Greta Gertwig. That being said, I’m backing Guillermo Del Toro to make it 4 out of 5 for Mexico in the Best Director category after Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity in 2014 and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for Birdman 2015 and The Revenant 2016).

Should Win: Guillermo Del Toro

Will Win: Guillermo Del Toro

Best Picture

Moonlight surprised La La Land last year, and Spotlight surprised The Revenant two years ago. That makes 2 surprises in the last 2 years. Which is why I’m not going for Shape of Water. It’s a great film, but it’s a too recognisable. For me it had the feel of a R-rated Disney film (if ever there was one).  Which leaves three options for me: 1. Call Me By Your Name, 2. Lady Bird, and 3. Get Out.

Whilst I would love to see Call Me By Your Name win, I think the Academy ruled it out when it didn’t nominate Luca Guadagnino for Best Director. That leaves Lady Bird and Get Out. Both have run good campaigns, generating a lot of word of mouth. However, whilst Lady Bird might be the slightly better made film, Get Out is the more unique and memorable. Therefore I’m going for Get Out to surprise everyone and become the first pseudo horror film to win since The Silence of the Lambs in 1991.

Should Win: Call Me By Your Name

Will Win: Get Out

Best of the Rest

Here’s the rest of my predictions – definitely don’t trust me on the short films!

  • Best Animated Feature: Coco
  • Beat Documentary: Faces Places
  • Best Foreign Language Film: The Insult
  • Best Cinematography: Bladerunner 2049
  • Best Adapted Screenplay: Call Me By Your Name
  • Best Original Screenplay: Lady Bird
  • Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread
  • Best Film Editing: Dunkirk
  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Darkest Hour
  • Best Original Score: The Shape of Water
  • Best Original Song: “Remember Me” from Coco
  • Best Production Design: The Shape of Water
  • Best Short Film: DeKalb Elementary
  • Best Short Animation: Dear Basketball
  • Best Documentary Short: Heroin(e)
  • Best Sound Editing: Dunkirk
  • Best Sound Mixing: Dunkirk
  • Best Visual Effects: War for the Planet of the Apes

What Next?

Also while you’re here: