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student-filmreviews · 3 years
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Film review of Yeelen (1987) by Souleymane Cisee
Director:  Souleymane Cisee
Cast: Balla Moussa Keita, Niamanto Sanogo, Aoua Sangare
IMDb: 7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Review:
Yeelen is a Malian film that delves into the topics of magic, death, and betrayal. It is an essential work of cinema that features a father, Soma who uses his magic for evil and selfish desires. One of his dark desires is to murder his son, Nianankoro because it has been predicted that he will be the reason behind Soma’s death. This establishes the theme of utmost betrayal, the betrayal of family, and the disgusting nature of human beings when it comes to survival, like when Nianonkoro kills his uncle before he kills him. It shows that one’s love and importance of family can easily fly out the window when it comes to the security of their own life. 
This film shows that there is protection in magic, when Nianonkoro magically freezes the guards from attacking him. Magic also provides superiority and authority as one is capable of controlling the spiritual world, unlike most humans who rely on the unknown of the physical world. Hence those with magic receive praise and respect from everyone around them even despite their evil doings.
 The film also shows that prophecy can be a helpful tool in life, it can be used for guidance and foretelling, it offers protection against dangerous forthcoming events and it can reassure one of their greatness and the upcoming successes of their life. 
Nevertheless, no amount of magical powers can free a man from the natures of the world and seven deadly sins. Nianokoro is defeated by the sin of lust when he sleeps with the kings’ wife and Kore’s wing creates a blinding wave that kills both Nianonkoro and Soma and transforms the land around them into sand. Magic is its own entity, no amount of sacrifices can change or control its power, and even with the amount of magic one can possess, one can never be omnipotent or omniscient.
The acting in Yeelen is exceptional. The characters gave a natural performance that breathes life into the story. They understood the subtext of the story and block it accordingly, aware to give a great performance for the different shots. The viewer can see that the characters were bouncing off each other’s energy. However, some may argue that some performances were overacted and long, like when the Komo leaders were gathered up drinking traditional beer and one was impersonating a goat, but that is an illustration of how real and supernatural the rituals can be. I believe that the mood and tone the characters create are captivating and provocative.
Here is another recommended film worth a watch. I hope your popcorn is ready.
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student-filmreviews · 3 years
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Film Review of Tokyo Story (1957) by Yasujiro Ozu
Director: Yasujiro Ozu
Cast: Chishu Ryu, Setsuko Hara, Haruko Sugimura
IMDb: 8,2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Review:
Tokyo Story is a home drama film that heavily centers around the appreciation of family. The entire movie follows the way a family lives together and at the same time how they live apart. An old couple, grandmother and grandfather, travel to Tokyo to visit their children and grandchildren after many years of not seeing them. The viewers witness a natural flow of living, the family taking part in the day-to-day activities like catching up about each other’s lives, doing chores, eating, traveling. The film aims to highlight the importance of bonding with family, it shows how satisfying it is when one does so through scenes like a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law enjoying each other’s company and conversations, or a grandmother enjoying watching her grandson play in the field. The film makes it clear that the excuse that most people make, that life is too busy or that one has to focus on their own individual life when they grow up instead of engaging with their family members is invalid. It illustrates the consequences of taking family for granted, mentioning that one cannot serve their parents beyond the grave. Time can go by quickly and unexpectedly, and before one knows it, regret heavily seeps in for not sharing enough cherishable moments with one’s family, and the fact that there are no more chances left can cause emotional turmoil.
The emotional tone of the film is quiet and tranquil, however, the feelings that are evoked are intense as the audience really starts to reflect on their own lives. The film leaves one questioning when last they called their mother just to tell them how much they love and appreciate them. 
The shots in the film are predominantly still. This is in order to have every shot consisting of an exceptional composition of its own, as well as to engross the audience as scenes unfold gracefully and nothing distracts the viewer from paying close attention. 
Tokyo Story is worth a watch. When you’ve watched it or if you’ve watched it, drop comments and share your thoughts and opinions.
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student-filmreviews · 3 years
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Film Review of Wild Strawberries (1957) by Ingmar Bergman
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Cast: Victor Sjostrom, Bibi Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Bjornstrom
IMDb: 8.5 /10 
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Logline: After living a life marked by coldness, an aging professor is forced to confront the emptiness of his existence.
Review:
Wild Strawberries is a drama film that taps into existential dreams, and essentially questions what the most valuable aspect about life is. Isak is a former medical doctor and professor who embarks on a day-long drive to accept his honorary degree. There are numerous stops and encounters along the way that influence him to reminisce about different parts of his life, which is one of the themes of the film, decay of thought and memory. Isak has clear and vivid dreams of his childhood which provides him with more knowledge of what kind of person he is and has always been, a cold and inconsiderate man. The audience also gets to see his inability to remember other important factors of his life, his career, in which he invested plenty of years of his life perfecting. This poses the question of what matters most? Is it the person we become throughout the course of our lives or the career we spend most of our time chasing?
The idea of marriage, its expectations, and parenthood are also explored. This journey film highlights the journey of life, whether recreating is a necessity or the fuel to the endless cycle of suffering in life. It illustrates how people are an adaptation of their parents as we adopt certain character traits from them. 
The acting was convincing and natural enhancing the realistic feel of the matters in the film. It is also incredible how two characters are played by one actress, illustrating the exceptional choice in casting.
Ingram Bergman effectively directed Wild Strawberries. He guided the storytelling effectively like in the way he controlled dialogue, it is on the nose and points things out blatantly. 
The tone and mood of the film influences self-introspection. 
Grab your popcorn and enjoy Wild Strawberries. Drop comments and share your thoughts and opinions.
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