Rowan Sullivan

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Castro (Argentina) – A Truly Original Action Film

Castro Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Here’s a truly original action film. You’ll get to see some truly quirky (and Argentinian?) humour in this fast paced action comedy that you won’t see anywhere else. But even if you don’t understand why this trio is running all over town in search of one guy you can appreciate the cinematography (the editing and camera movement make it tick). Tune in for some Latin American fun!

Why Watch Castro?
  • You like your action films quirky and fast
  • You loved Naked Gun and Airplane! and want to see Argentina’s equivalent
  • For more films from Argentina’s El Pampero films – check out Extraordinary Stories for more great contemporary Argentine film
  • Watch out for the great score and cinematography
Breakdown

There’s a lot of running in the introduction to Castro. An awkward trio are chasing another guy across busy roads and city streets to a train station. Unfortunately for the trio, the guy they’re chasing disappears onto a train. At this point you’re probably thinking what the hell is going on!

And you’d be right to question. This isn’t your typical action movie. The characters are hilariously strange (almost on a Monty Python level). One of the spies hobbles around on crutches after injuring his leg and the guy they’re chasing always sleeps in closets. Argentine humour I guess?

Even if you’re not sold on the quirky humour, you can still appreciate the great editing. The fast paced feel comes directly from the editing. The camera moves along with runners and has a lot of moving close-ups which both reminded me (and might remind you) or the Oscar winning Birdman.

Conclusion

So if you love simple, quirky action films you’ll love Castro. It kind of reminded me of a mix between Robert Rodriguez’ El Mariachi and Monty Python. It’d fun, fast, and well made (look out for the cinematography).

For more Argentine films check out:

 

 

377

October 1 (Nigeria) – Murder Before Independence Day

October 1 Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Nigerian Independence Day (October 1st) is fast approaching. A police officer is sent into unknown territory to investigate a string of murders. Can he solve them before Independence Day? For an African thriller which explores colonialism, religion, and tribalism, you can’t go wrong with this film. Plus it’s available on Netflix!

Why Watch October 1?
  • For a perfect gateway into Nigerian film (Nollywood)
  • It covers a lot – exploring tribalism, western imperialism, unification, racism, religion, colonialism, and more
  • To hear a range of languages – English, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo
  • It’s easy to watch – it feels much more like the easy-going South African Umbango than the art-house Timbuktu
The Breakdown

October 1 starts under a red moon shining red light over the forest. A man chases a screaming woman through the forest until he catches her, rapes her, and leaves her dead on the forest floor.

It’s 1960. Police Officer Dan Waziri is sent to investigate the murders by a trio of English imperialists to ‘clean up’ Nigeria before it’s Independence Day on October 1st. As a Hausa man from the North, Dan Waziri is out of place in Akote. As an outsider, he faces many challenges in solving the case.

The characters provide the main talking point of the film. The trio of white men from the British colonial military are undeniably racist. Prince Aderopo of Akote is questionably for the continuation of British rule. Then there is Miss Tawa, a teacher who is preparing her classes for Nigerian independence. Among this group of characters, Dan is a mediator. He is neither outwardly for or against independence and shows no religious or political bias. He offers us an unbiased look at the political situation of Nigeria in 1960.

ConclusionImage result for october 1 film

October 1 is brave to explore a range of controversial themes at the time of Nigerian independence. Whilst it does it bullishly, you’ll learn about the lasting impact that colonialism has had on Nigeria.

378

Impression of a War – The Legacy of Violence in Colombia

Impression of a War Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

You probably know who Pablo Escobar is and what he did. You also may know about the war that has raged on in Colombia across the last several decades. While the wars have ceased, the mist of violence still remains. In Impression of a War you’ll see that violence still lingers in Colombia. It is hidden in the landscapes, the music, and the people of Colombia. This film will show you where to look.

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Why Watch Impression of a War?
  • You’ve seen Narcos and possibly Colours of the Mountain and Maria Full of Grace and want to see a more experimental look at the legacy of violence in Colombia
  • It’s a kaleidoscope of images showing how violence has permeated all aspects of life in Colombia
  • To see Colombian soldiers shooting at guerillas one minute, and dancing salsa the next
  • It’s a Silver Leopard winner at the Locarno Film Festival
The Breakdown

The river of Medellin has changed colours many times in it’s contemporary history as textile factories up river dumped excess dye into the river. One time the factory chucked bucket loads of red dye into the river turning the whole river red. This happened at the height of Escobar’s violence in Medellin and as a result, the media turned this blood red river into a symbol of the cities violence.

This anecdote is one example of the violence entrenched in Colombian society. An entrenchment that cannot see a river coloured red by red dye, but a river soaked in blood.

Impression of a War is a work of art that tries to cast a subjective gaze at the legacy of violence in Colombia. Restrepo (the director) captures any visible trace of violence in the daily lives of the people living in Colombia. He shows us images from the battlefields, images from the landscape (as above), and interviews with those affected by the violence.

All these traces, whether deliberate or accidental, constitute the raw material for Impression of a War.

Conclusion

This 30 minute documentary covers a lot. Violence has affected everything from the colour of the taxis to the cities music. Will the new generation be freed from this legacy?

379

After the Rehearsal (Sweden) – Bergman vs. Your Mind

After the Rehearsal Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

Bergman is back on FilmRoot to play with your mind. What initially seems like an ordinary conversation between two characters becomes something that you start doubting. See if you can gauge whether the characters are acting or just having a regular conversation. Top marks to anyone that can decipher it!

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Why Watch After the Rehearsal?
  • For more Ingmar Bergman! We’ve already looked at Persona and Cries and Whispers so here’s more from the Swedish maestro!
  • If you love the theatre – this one has plenty of Strindberg references and even looks like a play
  • You love character focused dramas
  • It’s another film that messes with you (like in Persona and Mulholland Drive)
The Breakdown

After the Rehearsal starts with a shot of the floor which works its way across a carpet, up to a desk to show a man’s head lying on the desk. He is lingering on the stage set after the rehearsal to reflect. His narrative voice kicks in with an inner monologue reminiscent of Bergman’s opening to Wild Strawberries.

The man’s inner monologue is interrupted by an actress returning to the set to collect something she left behind. The man wants to carry on thinking, and whilst he politely greets the actress with his voice, his inner voice shouts at her to go away.

Unfortunately for him (and for the sake of entertainment) the young actress does not go away and they start talking. They talk about life and the future and other things. However, the manner they both show emotions and talk to each other becomes more and more unclear to us. Are the acting? Is the actress a figment of the man’s imagination? Or are they just chatting?

Conclusion

Bergman always likes to play with his audience (most notably in Persona) and he does it again here. In this film, he blurs the lines between life and acting. He even hints that the actress could just be a figment of the man’s imagination. What a trickster! This one is another classic Bergman to play with your head!

I recommend checking out the ‘Breaking Down Bergman’ YouTube channel after you’ve seen this film to find out more. Link here.

380

Extraordinary Stories (Argentina) – Storytelling at it’s Finest!

Extraordinary Stories Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

This is storytelling at it’s finest. If you’re a fan of Borges or Pynchon’s mysteries you’ll love this film. Save this 4 hour wonder for a long journey or break it up into three viewings (with the 2 intervals). You can even try watching it here on YouTube.

Image result for extraordinary stories film

Why Watch Extraordinary Stories?
  • To see another great Argentinian film which is up there with Wild Tales and Secret in their Eyes (not the Hollywood remake)
  • Witness storytelling at it’s finest!
  • If you want 4 hours to go quickly (perfect for a long journey), otherwise this film is broken into three parts so easy to break into multiple viewings
  • Perfect for fans of Borges or Pynchon!
The Breakdown

Extraordinary Stories starts with the story of X, a man walking down a road. He is walking to a nearby town, not really sure if he will find a job there. Whilst he is walking down the road, he witnesses a shootout in a farm field next to the road. Have the perpetrators seen him watching?

This opening episode makes up episode 1. Next up is the story of Z, a man who has just started a new job in a remote town. The third story centres a bet between two rivals.

Without giving anything more away, each of the three stories get more and more interesting and extraordinary as the film progresses. Each one progresses in 5-15 minute episodes and you are often left wanting to see more at the end, like a good TV series.

The strangest part is that you never really find out much about the three main protagonists (X, Z, and H). You never learn their name or their background; each of them remains a mystery. They reminded me of characters from a Borges short story or a Pynchon novel.

Conclusion

You won’t find storytelling better than this. I was skeptical about this 4 hour movie, but I couldn’t stop watching it after I hit play. The director gives you enough to pique your interest in each short episode, always leaving you wanting to watch more.