Hardly the “Violence begets violence” cautionary tale that it appears to be upon first glance. The true enemy here is secondhand experience, abetted by an endless stream of “vibes” and “moods,” but never culminating in true catharsis or gratification.
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Germany Year 90 Nine Zero 1991
A ghost story about the lingering impact of art, philosophy, and brutality on the emotional and physical landscape of reunified Germany.
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Beau Travail 1999
“We all have a trash can deep within,” but Galoup’s shame spills over, his insecurity worn into his face like the ravages of time and the harsh African sun.
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Duel to the Death 1983
A thoughtful, existential approach to honor and obligation among swordsman.
Intelligent enough to recognize the futility in competition and the ways tradition only serves the ruling class and perpetuates prejudice.
It’s also exceedingly beautiful, possessing warm autumnal reds & browns and operatic fight sequences teeming with technical wizardry and ethereal dream logic.
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Black Girl 1966
“Wielding contrasts in hue as overarching metaphor, Ousmane Sembène detects racial conflict at every rung of the social ladder, revealing ethnicity as emotional baggage to be exchanged in the name of upward mobility.”
Full review at Kinetoscope Film Journal.
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