Rowan Sullivan, Author at FilmRoot

401

After the Battle (Egypt)

After the Battle Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Like me, you may have heard of the Arab Spring (2011) and the protests at Tahir Square in Cairo (documented on Netflix’s The Square). But do you know what happened afterwards? After the Battle explores the aftermath so you can see how life has changed (or stayed the same) since the Arab Spring. Ignore the bad reviews (yes, the film is a little bit cheesy in parts) and go watch it!

For all those not sure – check out the first 45 seconds of this trailer (then turn it off unless you want spoilers!)

Why Watch After the Battle?

To learn about the political climate and quality of life in Egypt following the Arab Spring in 2011
Explore gender politics and class structure in Egpyt – lots to discuss!
It’s not hard to watch – it has the tone of a TV series so all of you can watch it without getting lost in any pretentiousness
For a great post-Arab Spring viewing companion to Asmaa

The Breakdown

On February 2nd 2011, Tahir Square protestors were attacked by camel and horse riders from the pyramids. This event became known as the Battle of the Camels. Footage of the event shows horse and camel riders riding into protestors armed with whips (and nothing else). One of the riders falls off of his horse and is beaten by the protestors.

Mahmoud is the rider who falls from his horse in the Battle of the Camel. He is a poor horse rider from Nazlat (a suburb of Cairo near the Pyramids) who made his living from tourists. However, a great wall was built to separate the horse riders from the tourists, so he no longer has a job. He has to rely on the ‘good-will’ of his relative/local boss to get by. He is the one who lets him and his family live in their house and provides them with a little income when needed. Mahmoud represents the lower classes that were not represented in the Arab Spring, that have continued to be exploited by their ‘superiors’.

Rim is the woman we follow throughout the film. She is a liberal middle-class woman and a strong activist for the Arab Spring. She is marginalised just like Mahmoud. However, instead of class prejudice, she experiences sexism. After being groped whilst protesting, she is told that the place for a woman is at home, not on the streets. However, her revolutionary ideas meet a challenge when she meets Mahmoud – her antithesis.

Conclusion

Another interesting exploration of Egypt in the aftermath of the Arab Spring (also see Asmaa). The film tries to cover a lot, from gender politics to class, but ultimately manages to cover it all without appearing vague.

402

Eyes Wide Open (Israel)

Eyes Wide Open Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

Do you know much about the Hassidic Jews of Israel? Do you know how restrictive religion and conservative societies can be? Watch Eyes Wide Open to learn how religion can repress your sexuality and turn you into an outcast. Check out the melodramatic and revealing trailer below if you’re not convinced.

Why Watch Eyes Wide Open?

To learn a bit about the Orthodox Jewish religion
For a great companion to the Israel-Palestine conflict shown in Omar and Ajami. In this film you will see a different side of Israel.
Find out how difficult it can be for religious gay people
For the two main actors who manage to so much with so few words

The Breakdown

A man tries to open a sliding door to a shop as the rain pours down on him. He gives up trying to unlock the padlock with his key and grabs a rock to break the lock. After a few throws, the lock falls off. He carefully peels off a poster from the door (a notice of death) and enters the shop.

A tracking shot of the floor shows an overturned chair. The man carefully folds up the poster and puts it to the side. We can deduce who has died from the clues the director leaves in the opening sequence. The way the man carefully folds the poster notice of death means that it must be someone close to the man. And the fact he has a key shows that it is probably a relative. So when the man finds a picture of a young boy and an older man sitting outside the shop he has entered we can deduce it is an old picture of him and his father.

In this film, you need to pay attention to the film’s subtleties. The two main characters do not share much dialogue. Instead they communicate in short, clear sentences. However, pay attention to the way they say things, as this reveals more than what they say. Their short and unemotional conversation reveals their repressed emotions. The strict religious society they are a part of prevents them from expressing their sexuality.

Conclusion

Eyes Wide Open is beautifully filmed and acted. It will also open your eyes to the difficulty of living as part of a strict religious society as a gay person. You may have witnessed the difficulty of living within a strict religious society in Sand Storm or Asmaa. But unfortunately the plight of gay people in strict religious communities is rarely shown. Eyes Wide Open is one of these rare films that is also beautifully filmed.

403

Food Inc. (USA)

Watch on Netflix or click the poster to buy on Amazon

Food Inc. Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Food INC. is one of the great documentaries to watch to open your eyes to the giant that is the food industry of the United States of America. You’ll learn what makes a McDonalds burger and how almost everything in Walmart contains some form of corn. But along with all the bad stuff you’re going to here (which will make you think twice about what you buy) you also learn how you can make a difference (which will also make you think twice about what you buy).

The simple answer: You can change the food industry and the world when you go to the supermarket and buy your food. Everything you buy is a vote for that product!

Check out the trailer below to find out more before you head to Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon to watch!

Why Watch Food Inc?

To learn where your food is coming from (mostly you America, but relevant to the whole world)
See how the food industry has been monopolised by a few big companies
Learn how you can change the world with what you eat
It’s on Netflix!

404

Dear Diary (Italy)

Dear Diary Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

You may have seen Rome and Italy in a number of films, but you have never seen it like it is in Dear Diary. Nanni Moretti will guide you around the country like the best tour guides – one that doesn’t care what people think of him. He parodies the Italians whilst making fun of himself for our entertainment. It’s a bit Monty Python esque and a bit Quixotic! Go watch this man’s stream of consciousness!

Why Watch Dear Diary?

For a visual stream of consciousness portrayal of Rome and Italy
It’s also a great comedy with plenty of parody
There’s a great soundtrack featuring Juan Luis Guerra and Cheb Khaled!
To see director Nanni Moretti dancing in a cafe

The Breakdown

Chapter 1. On My Vespa

‘Dear diary, there’s one thing I like the most.’ And cut to Nanni Moretti riding down the back streets of Rome on his Vespa. There’s music, there’s no cars, and the streets are beautifully lined with trees!

You know those moments when you are walking on your own and your mind starts to wander? Then a few minutes later you realise that you’ve walked a mile without paying attention to what you’ve walked past. Well, the only way I can describe this film is by comparing it to one of those moments. Nanni Moretti guides us around Rome, but as he keeps getting distracted as he is doing so and takes us on his tangents.

What’s even more amazing is that he even interrupts the improvised tour he takes us on. For example, in one scene he turns up at a group dancing merengue in a square in Rome. He walks up to the band singing and starts singing along with the lead singer. He’s kind of like a Don Quixote making his way around Rome. One thing is for sure, you’ll never get a tour of Rome like this!

Conclusion

Just like The Great Beauty this great Italian film just seems to flow naturally. But unlike The Great Beauty this film is funny as well! Where else are you going to see a Director riding around Rome on a Vespa while dancing to Cheb Khaled’s ‘Didi’. Plus, I haven’t even talked about the hilarious second chapter or the darkly funny third chapter. This is one to watch!

405

The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (Finland)

The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

“It’s nice that you’re modest, but we want a national champion”

Olli Maki is a Finish baker who happens to be a very talented boxer. He is training for the biggest boxing match of his career, a day that will be the ‘happiest day in his life’. But, a few weeks before the match, he falls in love. For an alternative to the typical macho boxing film watch this gorgeously shot film which won awards at Cannes!

Why Watch this Film?

It’s a feel good film – it will put a smile on your face 🙂
To learn what makes a successful sportsman and a happy person
If you’re tired of macho boxing films
Experience a Finnish wedding!
For some beautiful black and white cinematography. There’s one pretty epic shot of Olli Maki wading naked into a pristine lake like Hercules.

The Breakdown

The first thing you notice is the grainy black and white footage as Olli Maki walks down a train and takes a seat in an empty carriage. He sits alone and looks out of the window in the carriage door, his brow furrowed. Is he concerned? Nervous? Or just shy and introverted?

It turns out that he’s just a modest man from a humble background. He is the Finnish baker battling for the boxing world title. You can tell he’s a humble guy from the first 10 minutes of the film. His creaky car breaks down, so he cycles to the wedding he is in town for. He plays with the kids at the wedding instead of chatting with the adults. But most of all, his modesty is shown in his facial expressions. His furrowed brow, his wide eyed look, and his smiles make it easy for us to sympathise with him. And the actor pulls of the face perfectly throughout the film!

Also pay attention to the beautiful cinematography. The filmmakers use grainy black and white footage with a lot of hand held shots to make it look like a 60s home movie. This style heightens the film’s happy moments as we associate home movie footage with happy nostalgia (think kids playing, funny faces, and days out). The style also takes nothing away from Olli Maki’s modesty. In contrast to the vivid colours and strong lighting of a Rocky film, Olli Maki is not brought out of the film artificially.

Conclusion

The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki is a welcome alternative to the many macho boxing films, such as Raging Bull and Rocky. Olli Maki will help you find what is important in your life. As a bonus, the film also explores class and patriotism in Finland whilst remaining an easy to watch feel-good film.