Hello friend.
Where I really want to start this week is the ‘WE ARE ONE International Film Festival’. With everything, most film festivals are cancelle. So most of the festivals are live streaming a variety of films and shorts (Both live action and animated) from all over the world. It started on Friday and goes on for a whole week.
I won’t discuss the short films I watched (all available on YouTube), but I will talk about the first feature film of the festival Crazy World (2019). Making its international premier, this Ugandan film is bat-shit-crazy. We start off with a tour around Wakaliwood, before self proclaimed (during the movie) “World’s best director and father” Nabwana I.G.G. narrates the story about kidnappers who steal kids. A father tries to find them, and these kids, all of whom are karate expert “Waka Starz” also try to escape.
The narrative is, ahem, loose and the effects match the budget, but that’s the real charm of the film. You can tell everyone who made this film had a great time and are passionate. Nabwana shouts all the way through over the film, repeating lines, commentating on action scenes and gasping at any shocking moments.
There is an interlude about piracy police. Who cares? The villain randomly wears an ipod shuffle on his shirt with no explanation. Who cares? Their binoculars are two plastic water bottles. Who cares? The director shouts random things throughout? Great. This movie will leave you smiling throughout.
It’s the passion and plurality of film making which makes this work. If you want to see a movie where the director shouts “MOVIE MOVIE MOVIE MOVIE” or “CALL OF DUTY: UGANDA” at random occurrences, this is the movie for you. I give it 4 stars and you can find it on Youtube.
Back to some form of normality, one film which did disappoint me was Cat People (1942). A film about a couple who fall in love, but she is worried that she is a cat person, someone who turns into a deadly cat when they are aroused or angry. Her husband, while supportive at first, soon grows weary as he thinks she’s paranoid.
The film started off well with the is she, isn’t she idea, but soon gave that up for a pretty tepid horror film. The main issue I had was that by the end I didn’t like the Cat Woman or her husband. I wasn’t rooting for any of them and I kind of lost interest.
I gave it 2.5 stars, it’s available on BBC IPlayer if you want to see it, but I can’t be bothered to endorse it.
The film which underwhelmed me, was Slumdog Millionaire (2008), the winner of the 2008 best picture (The Dark Knight should have won). Dev Patel’s character Salim ends up in a contrived game of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire which coincidentally has answers to questions which remind him of important life events.
This is the second time I watched this film, and first time I enjoyed it, but this time the story telling, while somewhat engaging was a bit forced. I never quite got why he went on the show. The music choices also didn’t work. This film felt more like a British person trying to make an Indian film than an Indian film.
It’s not bad. It’s not anything special either. So I gave it three stars, right down the middle. It’s available on Prime Video and All4.
Now on to a film which I did enjoy and lets start off with a person who should be home ill, driving around to populated areas and acting recklessly. That’s right, I’m talking about Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). I’ve seen bits and pieces of this iconic 80’s film, but this is the first time I’ve watched it all the way through.
Ferris is pulling a sick day, so along with his friends Cameron and Sloane, he goes through New York pulling all sort of high jinks from blagging their way into a posh restaurant to finding himself leading a rendition of a Beatles song on a parade float, all trying to evade the capture of his headteacher or his unsuspecting parents.
The whole film is cliched and goofy with messages praying for his recovery appearing everywhere. Ferris represents what we all want to be, but Cameron represents what we really are. There is enough emotion in the saying goodbye and moving on themes, but really this film is great because it’s fun throughout and its quotable dialogue and forth wall breaks really immerse you.
I gave it 3.5 stars for all of its charm. It’s a family friendly easy Sunday night watch and those of you in the UK can watch it on Netflix.
Film Of The Week
Well, this week because I can, I’m handing out two films of the week.
First up Captain Fantastic (2016). No, it’s not a tacky superhero film. Starring Viggo Mortensen and George MacKay, this film see’s Ben Cash (Viggo) and his six children living out in the wilderness. He’s trained them all to be athletes and taught them survival skills as well as critical thinking, reading literature well beyond their years. However, they really lack social skills and understanding about how the world works. When it’s found that their mentally ill mother has committed suicide, the family in their camper van go to the funeral.
The whole film, while comedic, ultimately tackles Ben’s parenting choices. It doesn’t hold him as a saint and definitely right or wrong. Some of his children embrace his style well. Others want to be normal. Then there are one or two who seem to take it too far almost like a cult. However, in exploring the grief of losing a wife, we also explore why Ben has made his decision to raise his kids this way.
The whole film has a real sweetness to it. It’s almost fantastical, but keeps itself well grounded and sensible. It’s an approachable film to watch with some wonderful cinematography in its music and transitions. As a screenplay it’s top notch with a wonderful script.
I gave it 4.5 stars, because I’m not a snooty film critic. If you want to watch it, it’s available on Netflix.
My second choice is more of an artsy film, which won’t quite have the universality. If understated art house films are more your jam, then I’d recommend First Reformed (2017). Annoyingly, I fell asleep while watching this in the cinema and have only re-watched it now. I missed the second half, so it didn’t make sense. But watching it back now, what a great film.
Toller is the Pastor of the small First Reformed church who is struggling to pray, so starts writing a diary. Soon he’s dragged into the world of eco-activism and environmental terrorism which puts him at odds with the Abundant Life church who invite the leader of a polluting company to a joint celebration of the First Reformed church. He deals with this alongside his own health. I can’t say too much more as I don’t want to spoil the film.
The reason this film works so well is Ethan Hawke’s brilliant performance. He is understated, but vividly emotional. You feel his internal struggles. The film thrives with lots of symbolism. It’s not a pretty watch, mostly white brown and black in its colour scheme with little music. However, it provides a powerful and interesting watch.
While not for everyone, if you like independent artsy films, then this is the film for you. I give it 4.5 stars, and is also on Netflix.
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The Film Ramble 