drama

26

From What is Before (Philippines)

From What is Before Film Difficulty Ranking: 5

This is Lav Diaz. He’s one of torch bearers of the slow film movement having made some of the longest cinematic films. In From What is Before he documents the history of a small rural town in the Philippines during Marcos’ rule. Like Gabriel Garcia’s Macondo, this small town serves as a metaphor for the entire country. As a result, this is your chance to experience contemporary Filipino history.

Here’s a little snippet courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival. It shows you exactly what slow cinema is like – are you patient enough to try it?

Why Watch From What is Before?
  • You want to one of the best examples of Slow Film there is!
  • To truly immerse yourself in the recent history of the Philippines
  • Witness how fear can undermine a community
  • For your chance to see the beautiful Filipino countryside in monochrome
The Breakdown

“This story is a memory of my country”

The film starts with a beautiful black and white shot of the Filipino countryside. You can see the fields of corn, tall hills in the distance, and a small shack in the foreground. This is the rural Philippines in 1970.

From the outset you can tell this is a slow film. You can tell because the camera rarely moves, each of the shots lasts for at least 2 minutes, and there is very little dialogue. Contrast this with the 5 second shot length in Hollywood films, and a load of action and dialogue, and you’ll understand why this is called slow film.

The length of From What is Before allows Lav Diaz (the director) to properly show us the gradual growth of fear in the rural town he examines. You’ll meet all the people of the town before the first signs of Marcos’ martial law start appearing around the 3 hour mark. Then you’ll see how the military rule slowly undermines the community through fear.

Conclusion

For an exploration into the power of fear in undermining unity, this film is a masterclass. Watch as Marcos’ martial law slowly envelops a small town in the Filipino country.

For more Slow film try the following:

27

Ajami

Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

On Mubi, Ajami is compared to Brazil’s City of God for it’s use of non-actors and gritty look at life in a city. But I think it compares better with Amores Perros because of it’s narrative structure. Produced by both a Palestinian and an Israeli, this film sheds light on what seems to be an unbiased look at Israel. Building until the last puzzle piece is added, the Academy Award nominee Ajami is one to watch!

Why Watch Ajami?
  • Get a feel for race relations in Israel – the role of borders and race relations makes Ajami a lot more relevant than some might think.
  • What drives someone to do something out of character?
  • Looking for a cleverly layered multiple narrative like Amores Perros, Traffic, or Magnolia? Look no further.
  • Be amazed at the auction-style way that family disputes are solved.
Breakdown

Nasri, Omar’s younger brother, narrates the opening as he draws a comic book. He introduces us to his neighbour who is fixing Omar’s car and then to his grandpa who he takes care of and washes due to his paralysis. It all seems pretty normal, pretty pleasant. Then two men riding on a motorbike pass by and shoot Nasri’s neighbour fixing their car.

From this point the film takes on a City of God feel as Nasri takes us back in time to explain what events led his neighbour to be shot. After this introduction, the film switches stylistically to a more natural, documentary like style. The colours become washed out, the dialogue takes centre stage, and the music is noticeably absent.

In addition, things happen really quickly. The dialogue is very punchy and snappy, not because of what the characters are saying, but how quickly people respond to each other. The narrative matches the fast pace of the dialogue. A birthday surprise happens so quickly that I felt almost suspicious of it’s authenticity. This made me start to question the authenticity of every character in the film. A lot of them are forced to act outside of their normal character.

Ajami’s genius lies in it’s narratives which are linked in non-chronological order. They come together to create a fatalistic quilt made of interlinking religions, races, and emotions.

Ajami is “a sustained gaze into a widening, all-encompassing trap” – Eric Hynes at Indiewire

 

 

28

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Can anyone ever be above the law? Well this film argues that there are already people who are above the law. It points the finger squarely at the police department of Italy in the 1960s/70s. However, before you get the idea that this film is just a political slow-boiler, read on. This film is a crime thriller like no other. You will be on the edge of your seat repeatedly asking yourself why. Why is no one condemning him? Answer: he’s too damn powerful.

Why Watch Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion?
  • To find out if there can ever be anyone above the law
  • It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 1970
  • For a glimpse of Italian society in the late 1960s/early 1970s; a period of violent student/worker uprisings amidst social and political conflict that came to be known as the “years of lead.”
  • If you like a great satire – one of the best ways to critique
The Breakdown

Quick cutting and camera movement introduce us to a police inspector walking along a black fence. The camera follows his movement and his eyes as he looks up to a lady in an apartment window. They obviously know each other, as their faces are match cut looking at each other. He opens the gate, walks up the stairs, and enters her apartment. “How are you going to kill me this time?” she asks him playfully. “I’m going to slit your throat” he replies sincerely. And sure enough, after brief foreplay and sex, he slits her throat.

The murderer methodically arranges his own crime scene, takes two bottles of champagne, and drives off. He calmly drives to the police station, jumps out of the car and starts to celebrate his promotion. He walks into the office, orders someone to get glasses and sits down at his new desk with a big map of the city behind him. It is obvious that he is in a position of huge power. That he is in a position that is above suspicion.

The director, Elio Petri, shows us how power is divided in Italy. The powerful hold control of the media, the public, and the police. The police inspector holds power over all three of these. Each one refuses to follow the clues he gives them. Instead they all follow him blindly, or, in the case of the public, represented by the tin-smith, they renounce their testimony out of fear, as if the inspector is a king, and they are worried of being accused of treason by incriminating him. The film is a parable of the corrupt police force that victimised students and labourers, and put themselves above the law.

Conclusion

In his portrayal of the police inspector, Petri exposes the corruption in the Italian police force. He shows the authoritarian position that the police inspector has and shows that they control everything. The media publish what the police give them, the public are too scared to stand up to the police, and his colleagues are too ‘stupid’ to follow the clues he leaves.

The tension in the film doesn’t come from us asking when he is going to get caught, but how far other people go to vindicate him.

29

Tanna (Vanuatu) – Transport Yourself to Another World

Tanna Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Watching Tanna is an experience. It’s not everyday that you can transport yourself to another part of the world and another culture so far from our own. Unless you’ve got a one-way ticket to Vanuatu, this is the closest you’ll get to living in a Kastom tribe in a beautiful island.

Why Watch Tanna?
  • The setting is incredible
  • It’s the first film shot completely in Vanuatu and the first to get nominated for the Academy Awards
  • If you loved the tradition in Whale Rider and want to go one step further
  • Volcano shots! The lava spewing everywhere is amazing! Check the trailer above if you aren’t sold.
The Breakdown

The first thing you’ll notice in Tanna is the incredible setting. The whole film is filmed on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu and all the action takes place in and around the rain forest. Fortunately for us, the landscape includes picturesque waterfalls and an awesome volcano. It’s pretty much impossible to make the island look bad.

Life here is free. The kids run around chasing each other every day in their natural playground. Initially it seems like a life of no worries. However, unfortunately, you’ll learn that it life is not as free and romantic as it initially appears. Firstly, Selim, one of the youngest kids of the group, is told she has to grow up and become a woman. Secondly, when she is taken to visit her spirit mother, her Grandpa is beaten to death by a rival tribe. You’ll have to watch the film to find out the consequences.

Western Influence on the Island

You’d be forgiven for thinking that this film is set before the arrival of Captain Cook and the western world. The tribal life on the island has none of the amenities we take for granted such as electricity, supermarkets, or mobile phones. However, even though they seem like they have never encountered Western culture, you’d be wrong if you thought they were completely cut off. In fact, one of the tribes’ members has a picture of himself with Prince Phillip of England dressed in a suit. Plus, there’s a christian camp with electricity, clothing, and regular houses just over the hill by their camp.

Why is it important that they are not cut off? Because it shows the strong and enduring legacy of tribal life. It shows that they have chosen to live life in the rain-forest even though they could switch to the ‘luxuries’ of western culture. It’s a great example of cultural relativism: the idea that all cultures should be understood individually and not judged against each other. No way of life or culture is better than another. However, unfortunately most of the cultures subject to western colonialism weren’t given a choice.

Conclusion

Tanna is beautiful. If you’re one of those who watched Avatar and felt depressed afterwards because our world wasn’t the same, then you might feel the same way after you watch Tanna.

*****Spoilers*****

But romanticizing aside, there’s a great story-line which draws parallels to a Shakespeare classic. And ultimately there’s a somewhat happy ending. That the indigenous culture of Tanna are managing to adapt whilst still opting to remain completely independent from Western culture.

 

30

Whale Rider

Click on the poster to watch for £2.50 on Amazon or find this film on Netflix!

Whale Rider Film Difficulty Ranking: 1


Are you fed up with reading subtitles? Well here’s your chance for a break. Whale Rider is a beautiful film from New Zealand showcasing the Maori people and culture. It is your chance to learn about the indigenous people of New Zealand and how they are adapting their traditions and culture to the modern world. Do your part and watch this film to support Maori heritage.

 Why Watch Whale Rider?
  • This is your chance to learn some Maori mythology
  • Learn a bit about Maori culture and it’s plight in New Zealand
  • See a chubby uncle whip out his Taiaha routine
  • The girl who played Paikea became the youngest nominee of the Best Actress at the Academy Awards (until Quvenzhane Wallis)
  • It’s a beautiful foreign film and easy to watch – it’s mostly in English and it is currently on Netflix!
Breakdown

The film starts with the birth of Paikea, the granddaughter of the village chief and direct descendant of Paikea, the whale rider who rode to New Zealand from Hawaiki. However, the opening scenes are traumatic. Paikea is born but her twin brother, the first born male son, is lost along with their mother. Her dad is obviously distraught, having lost his wife and son. His father Koro tells him that he can always make another one. Too soon!

Grandfather Koro is the chief of the village of Whangara. He is growing older and older and only desires a true heir. His son has rejected his calls for a son and Paikea cannot carry his lineage as a female. He is desperate to keep the tribal traditions alive but is too stubborn to adapt to the new world. The locals don’t take him seriously either. One kid farts at a school Maori dance and all the village laughs out loud, except for Koro. But don’t feel sorry for him, because he chooses to ignore the signs. In his stubbornness to adapt he is turning his tradition and culture into history.

The Maori culture is also threatened by the town they live in. As one boy says “this place is a dump.” And he’s right. The town has nothing to offer the kids; no opportunities, only poverty. The dads are absent, chasing opportunities in other places where they can find jobs. In the town, the only person you see working is the school teacher. So what’s the solution? It’s awareness. The film shines a light on the poor living conditions – something that we had no idea about. Just as In Vanda’s Room depicts the poverty in Lisbon or how Tsotsi shows the slums of Johannesberg.

Conclusion

Whale Rider is a beautiful film full of emotion. Plus it is easy to watch, at times reminding me of a great Disney film. However, it also has a lot of depth. It teaches us about Maori culture and the state of the Maori people today in New Zealand. It revives the myths and culture like Song of the Sea and shines a light on the indigenous situation like Smoke Signals. A must watch for all.

If you want to see more about indigenous people of Australasia check out Rabbit Proof Fence!