Movie reviews

WATCH DOCS FILM FESTIVAL

MOBUTU, ROI DU ZAIRE (MOBUTU, KING OF ZAIRE)

Watchable. A documentary by Thierry Michel, a Belgian director who's dedicated a significant portion of his work to the former Belgian colony. This one covers the full history of Mobutu Sese Seko. The one who wore leopard skin which gave him the air of a traditional African chief. Beneath he was ruthless and sly. Slept with women to humiliate their husbands. The husbands who belonged to his closest circles. Perfidious, wasn't it? Politically he sided with the likes of Ceaușescu. And just like him the riches he accrued came from looting his subjects. The documentary shows how his corrupt rule led to the reign of bloody Laurent Kabila. Documentary-wise it's not clear who the talking heads in the film are.

EUROTRUMP

Watchable. The Netherlands are such a peaceful and orderly country that prison cells are rented out to other nations. In such a country Geert Wilders gained popularity scare mongering about a Muslim invasion. At the same time he's living under constant protection as a result of actual death threats from those he warns against. The director has attempted to balance right and left wing views on both sides of Wilders but the bias to the left in the number of commentators is visible. Obviously it reflects the director's own opinion.

While Dutch people take sides on the issue, they are not as polarised as in Poland, as I heard from a Dutch viewer.

THE WORK

Recommended. Perfect catharsis and a much comforting, even if very emotional, documentary with crying covicts. Honey on my wounds. The criminals feel relieved they don't have to act tough for 4 days. The group psychotherapy is 100% successful. None of them end up behind bars again.


JUNGLE

Recommended. I rememeber the story from a B2 level English coursebook so several teachers and students of the language will recognise it too. Shot in Bolivia and Columbia. With Dolby Atmos sound - I wonder if the only Dolby Atmos screen in Warsaw will play it. The jungle would sound marvellous. A must for every backpacker. Based on a true story. Gripping and totally realistic.

STORM: LETTERS VAN VUUR (STORM - LETTER OF FIRE)

Walked out. Drab and grey, sad and about Protestantism. Quite a peculiar movie for children.

OSCARS 2018

My first comment:
The Foreign Language Oscar Shortlist got announced. In my view the Chilean and Hungarian candidates are outstanding, the South African one is an audacious "Brokeback Mountain" copycat. I haven't seen the rest. I'm happy the Polish trash "Spoor" got eliminated - no surprise here, there's no reason for Americans to like it.

THE PARTY

Watchable. 71 minutes only. Apart from the very first shot, the beginning is lousy, the middle mediocre and the ending terrific. Starts with lots of sentimental jazz, high contrast black and white matching the hostess' professional position as a Shadow Minister and theatrically acted upper class conversations. Then, gradually, the people reveal their shenanigans as well as relationships: both official and secret. The final line shoots you.