The Coconut Revolution

The Coconut Revolution Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

This hour long documentary takes you through the naval blockade on Bougainville Island to meet the revolutionaries fighting for Bougainville independence. They’ve survived against all odds. First, their water supplies and land was destroyed by the world’s largest open copper mine built by a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. They were forced onto reservations. But they chose to rise up and forced the huge mining conglomerate to abandon the region. In response they earned the wrath of Papua New Guinea who depended on the mine for a large percentage of their GDP. After being attacked by the PNG army, the eco revolutionaries were starved from contact with the rest of the world for 7 years thanks to a naval siege operated by Papua New Guinea and Australia. When that didn’t kill off the revolution, PNG sent in international mercenaries to finish them off. But they were forced to retreat and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army survived and the island is now well on it’s way to independence after winning a referendum for independence at the end of 2019. It’s an incredible story.

The revolution becomes even more amazing when you see the resourcefulness of the indigenous people of Bougainville. Cut off from PNG power, they created their own hydro electric generators from scraps from the mine. And without fuel for the vehicles left on the island, they created fuel from coconut oil. On top of this, they use the land to feed the community and treat them for illnesses and diseases. This is a true Eco-revolution.

From: Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, Australasia
Watch: Trailer, JustWatch, Amazon Prime
Next: Avatar, System K, Princess Mononoke
The Bloodettes

The Bloodettes Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Whilst the plot of The Bloodettes may be loose and confusing, it’s something new, sexy and stylish. Neon night club lighting, as well as masses of jump cuts, dissolve cuts, and slow motion shots (that would make John Woo proud), all backed by an energetic Tsotsi-esque soundtrack makes this one of the most original films I’ve seen from Africa. This is Cameroon in 2025.

From: Cameroon, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Kanopy
Next: The Killer, Tsotsi, Pumzi
Continue reading “The Bloodettes – A Stylish, Sexy, Futuristic, Vampire Film from Cameroon”
Image result for the hunt film

The Hunt Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

If you’re a teacher, The Hunt is your worst nightmare. Set in a small town in Denmark, The Hunt shows how one lie can bring down a credible and likeable man and turn him into the victim of a modern day witch hunt.

From: Denmark, Europe
Watch: Trailer, Amazon Prime, Amazon (rent)
Next: Festen, The Shining, Gone Girl
Continue reading “The Hunt (Denmark) – A Teacher’s Worst Nightmare”
Ngabo and Sangwa

Munyurangabo Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

If you want to see a great film about life in post-genocide Rwanda then watch Munyurangabo. The production quality isn’t great and there’s a lot of singing that pops up now and then, but the dialogue is simple and waterproof. It doesn’t offer you much at the start, but it slowly reveals more and more as the film progresses until you realise you’re watching a much deeper film than you thought.

From: Rwanda, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon, Tubi, Kanopy
Next: Hotel Rwanda, Look of Silence, Sleepwalking Land
Continue reading “Munyurangabo – Post-War Rwanda through the Eyes of Friends”

Gloria Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

If you think life is all downhill as you get older, think again, and watch Gloria. The magic of Paulina Garcia’s Gloria shows that middle aged life is whatever you make of it – it can be awesome as any other part of your life. She dances, goes bungee jumping, does yoga, and goes out with whoever she wants – she’s truly an independent woman.

From: Chile, South America
Watch: Trailer, Amazon Rent, Amazon Buy
Next: A Fantastic Woman, Tony Manero, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Continue reading “Gloria (Chile) – There’s Plenty of Fun to Be Had in Your 50s”