reubenmark
Joined Jun 2017
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reubenmark's rating
Jahmil was on the come up at almost the exact same time I started my film degree and actively seeked out SA filmmakers and watching their work. They actually showed us Of Good Report at my film school, AFDA, and I don't know how to put in word how much is floored us all and lit a fire on our backsides to get working!
I later got to see Sew The Winter To My Skin when I assisted at the first Joburg Film Festival and boy oh boy did he hit us with another deeply intriguing and uniquely beautiful film. But I don't want to talk about Sew The Winter I want to talk about this masterful work.
Just off the bat, "You come of Good Report Mr Sithole" is the cleanest Title drop I've seen in a while. And what a character Mr Sithole turns out to be. I am sure I am not smart enough a story teller or audience member to properly unpack the meaning and intention of making your main character silent. And then to pull off a completely dialogue free follow up with Sew The Winter is staggering! At the very least a character that does not speak intrigues you and is a fresh narrative device and challenge to make work. I think it works here because of the moving performance and giving him physically funny, sinister, sad actions and movements that tells more than he ever could.
Another filming technique that had me with my analysis hat on was the choice to make it black and white. I think the effect it has is it makes the film feel timeless, it ages the story. It also as a truthful feel, like here are the facts in black and white.
As a piece of cinema this film has way enough about it in the way it is acted, filmed, and edited to be a real showcase of a collection of really talented South African filmmakers all given exactly what they needed from the story to flex their skills in a big way.
The story itself is a hard watch, a beautiful and brutal watch. It is super relevant to the Gender Based Violence in our country and definitely this is effective and moving.
Truly we can't sleep on this guy, Jahmil is one of our countries finest filmmakers working at the moment! The ending of this sizzles, it sizzles with the same intensity as like a Talented Mr Ripley, Phantom Thread for me.
I later got to see Sew The Winter To My Skin when I assisted at the first Joburg Film Festival and boy oh boy did he hit us with another deeply intriguing and uniquely beautiful film. But I don't want to talk about Sew The Winter I want to talk about this masterful work.
Just off the bat, "You come of Good Report Mr Sithole" is the cleanest Title drop I've seen in a while. And what a character Mr Sithole turns out to be. I am sure I am not smart enough a story teller or audience member to properly unpack the meaning and intention of making your main character silent. And then to pull off a completely dialogue free follow up with Sew The Winter is staggering! At the very least a character that does not speak intrigues you and is a fresh narrative device and challenge to make work. I think it works here because of the moving performance and giving him physically funny, sinister, sad actions and movements that tells more than he ever could.
Another filming technique that had me with my analysis hat on was the choice to make it black and white. I think the effect it has is it makes the film feel timeless, it ages the story. It also as a truthful feel, like here are the facts in black and white.
As a piece of cinema this film has way enough about it in the way it is acted, filmed, and edited to be a real showcase of a collection of really talented South African filmmakers all given exactly what they needed from the story to flex their skills in a big way.
The story itself is a hard watch, a beautiful and brutal watch. It is super relevant to the Gender Based Violence in our country and definitely this is effective and moving.
Truly we can't sleep on this guy, Jahmil is one of our countries finest filmmakers working at the moment! The ending of this sizzles, it sizzles with the same intensity as like a Talented Mr Ripley, Phantom Thread for me.
Ag just good! I think we are in a purple patch of musician biopics and I'm here for them all! This is another great addition and I really appreciate the effort in finding a way to keep it fresh. And I don't just mean making him a dancing monkey.
I think the narrative structure is fresh. Compressing a persons life into 2hrs is tough but they did it here in such a slick way. Placing the songs at moments where you need to transition to different points in his life worked really well and kept the flow going.
I also think steering clear of the sensational or fixating on the controversies in his life was great. Instead the sort of predictable timeline of the story was supported by really highlighting what that timeline felt like for him, making it feel like a personal share is where I think the greatness lies in this film.
But yes really enjoyed it, really enjoyed hearing all Robbie's songs again and learning his journey. All great sauce!
I think the narrative structure is fresh. Compressing a persons life into 2hrs is tough but they did it here in such a slick way. Placing the songs at moments where you need to transition to different points in his life worked really well and kept the flow going.
I also think steering clear of the sensational or fixating on the controversies in his life was great. Instead the sort of predictable timeline of the story was supported by really highlighting what that timeline felt like for him, making it feel like a personal share is where I think the greatness lies in this film.
But yes really enjoyed it, really enjoyed hearing all Robbie's songs again and learning his journey. All great sauce!
The beauty of this movie lies in the love and care put into making it. It feels documentary in the subtlety and restraint the filmmakers have in their work. It avoids telling a tall extravagant tale but to make that unique make the characters people who are distinctive. Instead this film cares about these people above all and wants to invite us into their lives.
I think like many I was moved by the choice to focus so much from the perspective of the children. As our vessels into this world it gives us an openness and softness towards it that pulls us in and keeps us honest about our views and feelings towards what unfolds.
I really love the female portrayals in it but as a boy I'm not really sure why. As an also disillusioned young adult I think there is a freeness about how the slightly older characters are presented that fills me with inspirational envy. For me, their approach to the chaos that is existence is loaded with all the meaningful defiance of freedom and resistance fighters. They have true autonomy despite all the pressures and suppressions of modern society.
Above all though, the hope present in this film is magnetic, heartfelt and inspiring. I love this film, and think I have to rewatch America Honey next.
I think like many I was moved by the choice to focus so much from the perspective of the children. As our vessels into this world it gives us an openness and softness towards it that pulls us in and keeps us honest about our views and feelings towards what unfolds.
I really love the female portrayals in it but as a boy I'm not really sure why. As an also disillusioned young adult I think there is a freeness about how the slightly older characters are presented that fills me with inspirational envy. For me, their approach to the chaos that is existence is loaded with all the meaningful defiance of freedom and resistance fighters. They have true autonomy despite all the pressures and suppressions of modern society.
Above all though, the hope present in this film is magnetic, heartfelt and inspiring. I love this film, and think I have to rewatch America Honey next.