The Dynamiter (2011)

A comment by Robert Duvall on the Facebook page of The Dynamiter (also known as Summer Time) persuaded me to watch the film.

Duvall said:

“…It was a film where they just took kids off the street. It wasn’t amateur, but it was very rudimentary.”

Two nights later, Duvall saw the original Bonnie and Clyde and couldn’t stand it. He said it was fraudulent, compared to this little teeny movie. That statement of comparison between the two titles convinced me to watch the film for myself.

The Dynamiter is the story of a 15-year-old boy Robbie Hendrick (played by William Ruffin) who lives in a dilapidated house 22 miles outside the town of Greensville, Mississippi, without parents, without means and without hope.

Robbie Hendrick (William Ruffin) and his half-brother Fess Hendrick (John Alex Nunnery)

Robbie’s grandmother (Ciara McMillian) (who doesn’t speak) and his half-brother Fess Hendrick (John Alex Nunnery), live in the house with him, and his older brother Lucas Hendrick (Patrick Rutherford) appears out of nowhere for a visit. Fess, who is still a child, is looked after by Robbie with great care and affection while Lucas and the grandmother have a free ride. Robbie alone labors on and sometimes commits petty crimes for money to be able to afford a few luxuries that many take for granted, such as celebrating one’s own birthday. In a family situation like that, one can only wonder how Robbie keeps going. Maybe it’s the letters he receives from his mother on occasion that makes him believe she might return. Maybe he still believes in himself even though he lives in a town where a name is just a name and no one seems to have an identity.

The Dynamiter Trailer

http://youtu.be/vDB__uz7ZOk

With the motivation, opportunity and means to make a change, Robbie must choose between self-preservation and responsibility.

The movie has a distinctive rural feel to it and one becomes acutely aware of the heat and humidity associated with summertime near the Mississippi river. You can almost feel and smell the heat. The lighting and camera work deserve a special mention. Even though the film was intended to be shot documentary style with a single hand-held camera, the scenes were coherent and well thought out.

John Alex Nunnery and William Ruffin inThe Dynamiter (2011) — William Ruffin and John Alex Nunnery in The Dynamiter

There is no doubt that The Dynamiter was fueled by passion and enthusiasm considering it had a budget of $250,000. The actors and many of the crew worked for free, and all the locations were donated. The director, Matthew Gordon, and the screenwriter, Brad Ingelsby, did an excellent job, as did everyone else associated with the film for that matter.

I felt that the scenes involving bullies were unnecessary and too much of a cliché, but I must say I appreciated the absence of the railway-line-scene that appears in too many Coming-of-Age dramas.

The cinematography and setting create a relaxed atmosphere despite the poverty and suffering portrayed in the film. I never felt lost in hopelessness. Robbie Hendrick personifies the famous English expression:

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”

– meaning when the situation becomes difficult, the strong will work harder to meet the challenge. There is a lesson in that.

The Dynamiter is a Coming-of-Age drama about brotherhood and spiritual leadership creating hope out of hopelessness and I urge you to see it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1738366/combined

The Dynamiter (2011)

CONCLUSION

The Dynamiter is a coming-of-age drama about brotherhood and spiritual leadership creating hope out of hopelessness.

4.2

OUR RATING

Get the DVD

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A Bloody Tale (1969)

The poster artwork of the 1969 Yugoslavian film A Bloody Tale (Original title: Krvava bajka) doesn’t leave much room for interpretation, nor does its title. It’s a film dedicated to the memory of people subjugated to massacre and, as such, it is extremely hard to watch –especially because the story is told from the view point of children.

The narrative is set during 1941, when German forces have occupied Serbia. In cities, men are sent into forced labor, while kids are being dismissed from school, roaming the streets in search for food for themselves or their families — starving with the men folk absent. Despite the mayhem and general confusion, the citizentry of the city of Kragujevac struggle to keep up their existence with as much normality as possible. Weddings and other celebrations are still happening and kids still manage to play and explore.

A group of local boys, led by Piljak (Slobodan Mladenovic), shine the shoes of local residents as a way to make money during the occupation. Yet when the German soldiers decide to take advantage of their services, some of the boys decide to take a stance against the occupation of their city and refuse to service the soldiers. But, for others, their empty bellies play the decisive role.

There are partisan (guerilla) groups fighting the Germans and the actions of one convinces the German officer in charge that an example needs to be made — an example to be made of the men and boys of Kragujevac.

“Does that mean we kill them just because they are Serbs?

Or because they aren’t Germans?”

Despite the year in which the film is made, it doesn’t appear dated and is on par with some of the most recent films with narratives set during World War II such as The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008). Naturally, the sets and the props will not be as familiar to the Western viewer as Western produced films, but that only adds to the film’s appeal and the overall cinematic experience. The child cast appears to be comprised largely of first-time actors, but I was not able to detect any forced acting. In fact, there is ample evidence of either capable direction and/or raw natural talent.

The cast is comprised of non-professional actors yet convincing child actors — The film’s protagonists are non-professional, yet convincing child actors

Most of the violence is implied and off screen, but this only heightens one’s anxiety, affecting the mind of the viewer on a subconscious level. I was impressed by the film’s camerawork – as the cinematographer offers a variety of viewing angles: from high vantage points to low ones offering a view of the events through children’s eyes. Tracking shots are frequently utilized while close-up shots, especially one of the film’s final scene, won’t leave anyone indifferent. The film builds up to its finale so effectively that I don’t hesitate to admit that it caused a few tears in my eyes.

Slobodan Mladenovic as Piljak in A Bloody Tale (1969)

While Piljak is the leader of the shoe shining boys, the narrative is not overwhelming concerned with him. The film is therefore not a character study, such as Elem Klimov’s masterpiece Come and See (Idi i smotri). But, on the whole, the Coming-of-Age element is still present and the final scene will convince anyone to that effect.

I have found A Bloody Tale to be an impactful, harsh and well-acted film that I wholeheartedly recommend. My hope is that seeing it will remind people once again that some actions and ideologies should never be repeated.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0179927/combined

A Bloody Tale (1969)

CONCLUSION

A Bloody Tale is an impactful, harsh and well-acted film that is wholeheartedly recommended.

4.2

OUR RATING

A Very Serious Person (2006)

Gil, a 13-year-old boy (played by P.J. Verhoest) and his grandmother Mrs. A (Polly Bergen), are traveling to their summerhouse in Manhattan New York, while the housekeeper Betty (Dana Ivey), prepares the house for their arrival.

Mrs. A requires full-time medical care and has had a resident nurse recently dismissed due to incompetence and who now has been replaced by a Danish male nurse Jan (played by Charles Busch, who is also the writer and director of the film).

Betty disapproves of Jan, who is clearly very pedantic, but Mrs. A certainly approves of being handled by him: “It’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in years”.

Gil, who loves old movies like Gone with the Wind and listening to records, sees the time he spends with Jan as an opportunity to talk about his interests and passions. Jan admits he is gay while Gil thinks he may also be, yet is unsure about liking boys.

As Mrs. A’s health deteriorates, the frivolity of summertime changes into concern and Gil is faced with the reality that his grandmother might die. Jan teaches Gil about compassion for his grandmother and presents Gil with a perspective on maturity.

How does one prepare a 13-year-old boy without parents for the death of his grandmother?

Charles Busch uses this story to deliver a message of sensibility and mindfulness in the face of loss.

Dana Ivey and Polly Bergen — Polly Bergen and Dana Ivey

A Very Serious Person relies heavily on references to old movies and characters and one scene at a swimming pool reminded me a lot of Death in Venice.

Unfortunately, the actors look like they are performing for a live audience rather than for a camera, but I’m sure that was intended. It does take some getting used to and I wouldn’t be surprised if some viewers consider aspects of this movie as silly or cringeworthy.

There is a one love making scene between Jan and a man he meets at the swimming pool, which could be a concern for some, but it is in good taste and comedic at least.

The movie has a clear message and an ending which is not at all what one would expect. I have always been amused by the keywords associated with movies on the IMDb. Here are a few for A Very Serious Person:

Panamas, ponytail, bicycle, dancing-in-water, and friendship.

OK. Well, a search for ‘friendship’ should give at least a hit for most films ever made. The movie is charming, stylized, fun family entertainment, and not too concerned with representing reality.

A Very Serious Person – Trailer

The camera work reminded me of a famous cinematographer who once said, “These days, all I’m trying to do is not interfere with the actors”. That traditional fade-to-black is used very often and the scenes are short and distinct.

In summary: Through the story of a 13-year-old boy and his love for his dying grandmother, A Very Serious Person tells you something important about sensibility and mindfulness in the face of loss, through the medium of stage on film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491223/combined

A Very Serious Person (2006)

CONCLUSION

The movie is charming, stylised, fun family entertainment, and not too concerned with representing reality.

3.7

OUR RATING

Get the DVD

Amazon

Boredom Killer (2011)

Hanging out with friends during those long summer days with nothing to do but pass the time of day, has got to be a universal growing up experience – significant in its insignificance. Writer/Director Julien Paolini decided to use that experience as the premise for his 2011 short film Boredom Killer (original title Tuer l’ennui).

With a narrative inspired by social realism, and touching on issues such as friendship, bullying and acceptance, Boredom Killer tells its story relying entirely on a cast comprised of child actors.

In its opening scene, a gun is shown being buried in the ground by kids’ hands. That image is sure to capture the attention of the viewer from the start. What follows is a first-person narrative by one of the young protagonists featured in the film. He introduces himself, the other kids in the story and the basic premise of the movie. This narrator is not the lead character in the film, however, as it’s not his story that’s its focus. The filmmaker decided to emphasize general childhood experiences, making lead actors out of the entire cast.

So that’s the setting: a lazy summer. Boys hanging out. One day they stumble upon a discarded revolver. From this moment on, the narrative follows Chekhov’s dramatic principle “One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn’t going to go off.” Curious, the boys try a test shot. It’s a discarded pistol, it should not fire – yet it does. Satisfied, yet scared, they bury the gun. But it won’t stay buried for long….

Boredom Killer’s story is rather simple, yet told in a manner that raises suspense and keeps one’s attention. I must admit, my expectations for this film weren’t very high. As it progressed, I thought there’d be a clichéd ending, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was wrong – a final plot twists surprises at first, but then makes real sense.

http://youtu.be/Ci2xHjyUd5o

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1784705/combined

Boredom Killer (2011)

In short

With a narrative inspired by social realism, Boredom Killer touches on issues such as friendship, bullying and acceptance.

2.8

OUR RATING

Computer Creed (2014)

In this day and age, when many of us are glued to screens of various dimensions, we consume content – a lot of content — that informs, misinforms or to simply entertains us. But where is all this digital addiction going to lead us?

The Canadian short film Computer Creed uses satire and irony of situation to portray the struggle of a young boy against an artificial intelligence that has taken control of the world.

A sci-fi with Coming-of-Age (of its viewer none- the-less) and horror motifs, Computer Creed does not impress with acting or production values, yet its original plot intrigues and engages.

This is not The Matrix, but it offers some food for thought, reminding us that our imaginations have no boundaries and may be urging us to disconnect – at least for a while.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4312826/combined

Not All Were Murderers (2006)

“Survival was everything. That was the only thought we had.”

Michael Degen

A young Jewish boy and his mother struggle to survive in Jo Baier’s 2006 movie Not All Were Murderers. Based on the childhood memories of actor Michael Degen, the film’s narrative is undoubtedly of the Coming-of-Age genre. Yet it somehow fails to wholeheartedly engage.

Anna (Nadja Uhl) und Michael (Aaron Altaras) in Not All Were Murderers

Of course when watching a Coming-of-Age film about the events that took place in Nazi Germany, it would be best to compare it with other titles with a similar thematic, such as The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008), Look to the Sky (1993), and The Island on Bird Street (1997). Short films with a similar theme are Toyland (2007) and Porcelain Unicorn (2010). There are similarities between those films and this one: a child’s perspective of a world in distress, inevitable tragedy, and a melodramatic musical score. Having said that, however, each filmmaker employs distinct techniques to tell the story. For example, some save the most profound scenes for the finale, building up to it for the entire duration. Others (including the filmmakers of Not All Were Murderers) opted to disperse shocking and/or profound scenes throughout the narrative.

Despite all the chaos, friendships are still being forged …

Compared to the other films mentioned, Not All Were Murderers is somewhat easier to watch, yet one is guaranteed to feel strong emotion more than once. But establishing a profound emotional attachment to the characters and their fate is unlikely. Despite the several good scenes, one is likely to feel a bit distant in others (like a movie viewer rather than personally investing in the story.) The latter effect is something I always look for in a film featuring good storytelling.

The fact that Not All Were Murderers is a made-for-TV movie doesn’t mar the result. The quality of the sets and costumes is sufficiently convincing, although they are likely to be responsible for some serious issues the film has with the passage of time concept. The issue doesn’t become apparent until the last scenes when, in conjunction with the seemingly rushed ending, they ruined the whole effect the film is supposed to have on its viewers. For this reason alone, it’s probably better to pick up the book on which the film is based, or another film with more consistently told story such as The Island on Bird Street.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478214/

Not All Were Murderers (2006)

In short

A young Jewish boy and his mother struggle to survive in Nazi Germany.

3.2

OUR RATING

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Introducing Christian Lalama (2016)

Christian Lalama comes from a musical family and lives in Ontario, Canada. How big a role producer David Kahne has played in the creation of his original songs I can’t say, but I would guess a major one!

Let’s put some tunes under analysis and see what this young artist is singing about.

Burn Down the Lonely Night

His latest YouTube upload (109K views in four days!) is Burn Down the Lonely Night, a haunting, plaintiff tune that I had trouble understanding. This song is apparently written by his brother and set to the backdrop of beautiful, early autumn foliage. But what makes this so dramatic?

What appears to be an assertion of faith in the opening lines, which have a wonderful mystic quality, is actually a questioning of faith.

Christian is playing a small wooden piano in a field, but the sound is similar to a church organ. This creates a kind of contrast between reverence for Nature, and a vision of faith.

It’s about losing this template of ingrained belief and finding real value in a loving relationship. It is also about a moral dilemma, and about being without purpose or direction.

The song touches on the loss of innocence, young love and finding redemption and value in a lover.

So the lonely night is burned away by the warmth of a loving partner. The burning piano, the burning couch, the burning chair; all symbols of things that have their own value, destroyed and replaced by a new reality, that of finding a soulmate, even if it’s temporary.

And so the song has a simple message: Love conquers darkness, loneliness — and gives a new direction.

Greatest Day

A very positive song with active cuts from a playground. It is upbeat and celebrates life, as we see Christian swinging, sliding and jumping — an homage to being alive. On YouTube it’s only 1:26 long, but I enjoyed it.

Eleven

Eleven is a brilliant little creation, very inventive, as we see Christian at a blackboard writing outlines: 1+1 is not 11, it’s a bumpy beat song with many word/number inventions. 1derful, 2gether for example. It is playful and dreamy and visually fun.

Of course, the message is simple. He’d rather be in Love’s classroom than worried about schoolwork. But it also shows a side of Christian I like –this clever, playful person who loves to be in the spotlight. Some very high notes at the end.

I believe this artist is only now (he turned 13 in August 2016) entering a stage where his versatility will really get attention. Some of the earlier vids are well done, but more in the realm of a young Aaron Carter type kiddie pop. You can find many more songs on his YouTube channel or check his other media sites.

Personally, I will look forward to seeing what comes next. With the assistance of his family and David Kahne, I know there will be quality creations!

Hard Goodbyes: My Father (2002)

Do you know how to say Goodbye?

I haven’t seen that many Coming-of-Age films from Greece. Aside from The Cistern and Uranya, Penny Panayiotopoulos’s psychological drama Hard Goodbyes: My Father is only the third film I can recall. Its title hints of the nature of the story and it’s not surprising that the father-son relationship, as well as the hard goodbyes, are the pivotal motifs of the narrative.

The film’s protagonist is a 10-year-old boy, Elias (Yorgos Karayannis), who treasures every precious moment he gets to spend with his dad Hristos (Stelios Mainas) who is often away trying to make a living as a traveling salesmen. Elias feels the absence of his father more acutely than his older brother and impatiently awaits the next chocolate block on his bed – a token that means his dad has come home. Too young to understand the tribulations of life, Elias witnesses some disagreements between his parents and wonders if his mother is to blame for the frequent absence of his father.

Elias (Yorgos Karayannis) is always looking for his father

One day Elias’s father departs on a trip from which he won’t return. A tragic traffic accident takes away his life. When the news reaches Elias, he refuses to accept the truth, opting to cling to a parting promise his father made to him: that he will be away for a while but will return in time for the Moon Landing. (Interestingly enough the moon landing is an event that is frequently featured in Greek Coming-of-Age narratives – and it also appears in Uranya).

Hard Goodbyes: My Father (2002) Trailer

The film explores the grief process and its effects on a young boy’s psyche. Elias keeps his father alive in his mind and even starts writing letters, signing them as his father, to his absent-minded grandmother who the family chooses to protect by not revealing the fate of her son. Thanks to his creative imagination, Elias manages to create an alternative reality for himself and his grandmother, one in which his father takes his family away to an island where the arguments with his wife have ceased and the family is happy once again.

While the action is somewhat slow-paced, the director manages to portray the daily life of a Greek family in distress quite accurately (an observation based on personal experience). Yorgos Karayannis’s facial expressions are indicative of his overall excellent acting and his communicative eyes and face are frequently in focus during close ups — so that one can’t help but smile along with him or feel his profound sadness in other scenes. I will admit that I was moved to tears more than once, partly because of the subject matter and partly because of the way it was portrayed on screen.

Scene from Hard Goodbyes : My father — Scene from Hard Goodbyes: My Father

Although the musical score that is present is predominately composed of diegetic sounds (beautiful Greek songs at that), some of the most emotive and poignant scenes are accompanied only by silence. This serves as a check back to real life, somehow achieving an enhanced emphasis on the happenings and events portrayed in those scenes.

Interestingly enough, in addition to the Coming-of-Age nature of the film, the process of growing up (as well as the notion that there is more than one way for one to do that) is featured in the film’s dialogue, a curious fact that no fan of the genre will miss. The motif of lost innocence is also present, reminding viewers that sooner or later they will also face the need to make hard goodbyes.

Compared to other Coming-of-Age films exploring the issue of grief, such as Finn (2013), Kauwboy (2012) or Incompreso (1966) to mention but a few, Hard Goodbyes: My Father impresses with its ability to portray the inner world of its young protagonist. It’s somewhat quieter and subdued than some of those other films, but it still delivers a poignant cinematic experience, especially for those knowing that movies provide more than just senseless entertainment.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329002/

Hard Goodbyes: My Father (2002)

CONCLUSION

Impressing with its ability to portray the inner world of its young protagonist, Hard Goodbyes: My Father delivers a poignant cinematic experience.

4

OUR RATING

Get the DVD

AMAZON

Introducing Ty Lewis

Ty Lewis is not a boxer! He’s a 15-year-old singer from Billingham in England who has been taking voice lessons for some years now. He has won the Newcastle Children’s Talent Show and an “RUtalented” competition.

I have to smile reading some of the accolades and compliments on his homepage.

“a voice this angelic very rarely escapes the lungs of a real human being“

“With his teenage swagger and cheeky command of this voice…Ty…is way ahead of simply fledgling“

“…pleasant, enchanting quality in his voice…”

Hmmm. I hate to write a review with the handbrake on, but…..screech!

Certainly, this boy has a pleasant, enchanting quality in his voice in places, a voice that has gained confidence performing over the past two years. But to state that he is ready to replace Justin Bieber is simply bravado. In fact, let us shift down to first gear!

The most recent video I found, Dancing On My Own (Calum Scott cover), shows Ty on the keyboard and it is a fine sensitive interpretation. However, the visual somewhat spoils my enjoyment. In a voice that tastes a bit like Tom Andrews, Ty does well in bringing the solemn mood of this song across. The voice lessons have certainly paid off, as his notes here are right on.

Ty Lewis – Dancing On My Own

Visiting His Past

But let’s go back two years and listen to Hold On We’re Going Home (Drake cover), performed at the Teen Star Competition (Newcastle Regional).

Once again a somber song with a tender treble and a nice personal touch; uncomplicated, innocent and honest. This works for me. The acoustic setup is close to perfect. This reveals a fine Ty quality, this gentle contact with his audience, and an immersion in the song’s lyrics; a few flat tones, but they’re brief.

Ty has a video filmed mostly in a church by Hungry Wolf Productions. The song is Uptown Funk, featuring five young girls with some dance steps and choreography added. Let’s just say it’s a howl. It’s not professional, but that’s OK because it looks like everyone had fun shooting this funky tune. The audio track is fine.

In introducing Ty to the readers of theskykid.com, I want to emphasize that this boy is developing a fine ability to perform and interpret, but it is truly in an early stage.

We should give him some time to fine tune his magic. If that happens, there may be a great horizon opening for Ty Lewis.

(I confess to being the critic who drove by a young Jack Vidgen before he went to music school and won the Aussie Voice competition).

Another video I liked, from July 2014, is Ty’s Save the World (live cover of R.I.P) Some difficult “dragged” notes here, which he does very well. He finds the dreamy, clairvoyant quality of this tune nicely.

In a live performance of Bring it On (from 2015), Ty motivates his crowd to sing along and looks quite confident doing that. Memorizing the rapid lyrics also must not have been easy.

These are but a few examples of this 15-year old’s online repertoire. You can explore more on his sites. To his management, I would recommend investing in some pro videos of him. His voice right now has a smokey adolescent charm and that should be captured before it changes. I would be pleased to see new quality videos of him, and I hope he continues to gather experience by singing to live audiences.

After all, it’s the quality of voice (audio) mixed with the quality of performance (video) that will bring recognition. And I hope it will.

So now we can shift up, put the show on “cruise”, and wish you “good luck” in the race.

Ty Lewis on Twitter

4th December 2016!!! @UbeatTV 💙

My Best Enemy (2010)

“Even the smallest crawler can invade a cabbage”

Relevant enough in real life and significantly important, bullying is one of the most frequently addressed topics in the Coming-of-Age cinema and is often seen as the “go-to” theme for aspiring filmmakers.

But, alas, the abundance of movies on the topic can often achieve the opposite result than the one intended – “Oh no, not yet another bullying movie.” Yet every once in a while, one discovers a film that treats this common subject in an original, provoking and impacting manner that invalidates the “yet another one” argument.

A new entry in that category of uniqueness is the 2010 film from Denmark, My Best Enemy (Original title: Min bedste fjende).

Based on Thorstein Thomsen‘s novel, The Transformation of a Nerd, and directed by Oliver Ussing, My Best Enemy provides a stirring portrayal of bullying, victimization, and revenge as seen through the eyes of the film’s young protagonist Alf (Nikolaj Støvring Hansen). He does ballet in his spare time — has a real talent for it — but as such, a vocation is often seen as unconventional for boys (remember Billy Elliot) – the young “danseur is often subjected to humiliation and abuse at school.

Nikolaj Støvring Hansen as Alf in My Best Enemy

Alf is not the only one being bullied, and he often witnesses the ordeals that the other victims, such as Toke (Rasmus Lind Rubin), who is an overweight kid, or Tilde (Clara Bruun Sandbye), a girl wearing braces, have to endure. The popular kids spare no one the cruel treatment.

The turning point for Alf comes in the form of an inspiration by the character of the manga comics “Niccolo” (based on Niccolo Machiavelli‘s book The Prince), who is taken by the boy as a literal role model – causing him to shape his identity and exact revenge on his tormentors. Alf knows that he can’t fight his battles alone and recruits Toke into a secret club — a brotherhood of covert plans and sacrifices… a brotherhood of vengeance.

my-best-enemy-scene — Things can get awfully wrong.

Cinematically, My Best Enemy features a lot of elements and motifs that intensely enhance its story. One such element is the intertwine between the comic book world and “real life” and an intriguing way of using sound effects and musical score to bring both the comic world and Alf’s imagination to vibrant life on screen. The scenes are well composed with an abundance of close-ups, allowing viewers to see (and even feel) the emotions of both Alf and Toke.

Of course, that would not be as effective if it were not for the film’s cast and especially Rasmus Lind Rubin and Nikolaj Støvring Hansen – both of whom emit tenderness and innocence. Both have memorable features, and one can closely follow the changes that occur in their inner worlds just by observing their facial expressions and mannerisms. This allows for a level of identification with the characters and, consequently, eases the reflections on one’s own life. In my case, I was bullied for being a fan of the music band Hanson as a kid (unconventional for a boy, according to some). But I am glad I never resorted to some of the life choices that Alf and Toke chose or were forced into.

The soundtrack is modern and upbeat and helps the dynamic of the action — not that the dynamic needed much help. The action is intense from the very first scene. After that, the viewer is thrown straight into the action, and thereafter the film does a great job in holding one’s attention for its entire duration.

Many plot twists are present, and, as a consequence, one is always on an emotional roller coaster – sometimes joyful from watching the scenes of sweet revenge, at other times sad, angry and confused. All in all, the emotions that the film’s protagonist goes through have a great effect on the viewer’s emotions.

The world of comics plays a huge role for the story development — The world of comics plays a huge role in the story’s development

My Best Enemy is hype enough to be enjoyed by teens, yet its seriousness and poignancy can be appreciated by older audiences as well. I visualize it being screened and discussed at schools, being much more effective than many anti-bullying talks and initiatives currently in use — without being preachy.

The only similarly themed film with that level of originality I can think of also comes from a Scandinavian country — namely Ruben Östlund`s Play (2011). I urge you to watch and experience both films.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1467405/combined

My Best Enemy (2010)

In short

My Best Enemy is a stirring portrayal of bullying, victimization, and revenge as seen through the eyes of the film's young protagonist.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating1 Vote

5

OUR SCORE

Get the DVD ( English Subtitles)

Amazon

Play (2011)

Every once in a while, I stumble upon truly provocative films. A majority of them usually come from either Scandinavian countries or Scandinavian directors. The Swedish movie Play, directed by Ruben Östlund, made a huge impression on me with its objective (and quite realistic ) portrayal of the rite of passage experiences of three young Swedish boys who become victims of intimidation and psychological bullying by four black boys (likely immigrants) who are just few years older.

The action takes place in the second largest city of Sweden, Gothenburg, and the film is shot on location making use of all the prolific backdrops that an urban environment can offer (from malls and public transportation to construction sites and playgrounds).

The film is quite unsettling as, while watching it, one becomes aware of the stereotypes that society has imposed upon us from early childhood, making us perceive certain groups of people differently because of their skin color, social status or age. Play clearly demonstrates that not only do such stereotypes exist but are realized by the people who happen to fall in one or another category and are sometimes exploited by the stigmatized persons.

Play (2001 ) Official Trailer

The camerawork in the film is quite unique. Most of the time the camera is steady, fixed on a certain space in which the action may be occurring. More often than not, the action takes place off screen. And almost all the time, the action was shot in long takes — the focus almost always deep as if the Director wanted to make sure that you will never be forced to concentrate on a specific action of a character. Instead, the viewer is free to wander around the scenes picking one’s own subject of attention, be that the general life of the Swedish society, the young protagonists of the story or the adults that were almost always passive witnesses while ignoring everything that does not affect their own persona.

Most of the adults in the film choose to ignore the scenes they witness or choose not to intervene. While watching the scenes, I was put in a similar position. On the one side I felt like I should intervene (an impossible thing for someone who is only watching a film). Yet, at the same time, I felt equally intimidated as the young victims in the film. That passive reluctance was typical for the adults I observed on the screen.

Bullies and victims

In addition to the fixed camera and long takes, the camera was almost always placed a significant distance from the characters in the film, as if the Director wanted to further emphasize their vulnerability. A secondary story line of a forgotten/misplaced cradle is introduced through cross cuts and, while I failed to understand how it related to the main story, it did provide a much-needed relief from the tension and anxiety that gradually built up — not only in the young viewers on screen, but on the viewer’s senses as well.

Play (2001 ) – long shots are used frequently throughout the movie

The film ended quite abruptly, without a real closure, which was disappointing — even though I understand the Director wanted the film to end the way it did so as to further boost the association with the story on screen and in real life.

I found the story of Play very provocative and even though at film’s end I was left with more questions than answers, I appreciated the way the story played on my mind – raising those questions. As soon as the final credits rolled, I felt the need to discuss what I had just seen and experienced. It is not that the story is so unique (I would argue that many stories just like the one portrayed in Play occur multiple times each day in almost all big cities). Such stories usually concern only the persons directly involved or affected – until a film like Play comes along…

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1376717/combined

Play (2011)

In short

Play (2011) is a provocative film, which may leave the viewer with more questions than answers.

5

OUR SCORE

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Baby Bump (2015)

Reviewing Art-House cinema is not my vocation, even the art-house films that arguably belong to the Coming-of-Age genre. Yet I have attempted it before, with Terry Gilliam‘s bizarre short The Wholly Family. As I established in that review, one can’t help but agree that this type of film is capable of expanding the ways in which one sees the world. Kuba Czekaj‘s 2015 film Baby Bump is such a film – too wild, accurate, disturbing, confusing and messed up for me not to review here.

Mickey (Kacper Olszewski) is growing up. His body is changing, his thoughts go wild and all is up on the screen for us to see – close up, personal and explicit. If you have a puritanical mind, you are guaranteed to be offended – butts, tits, erections, vaginas, hair, blood and other body substances. The filmmakers do not spare anyone from the roller coaster like portrayal of…Coming-of-Age (growing up), while keeping one’s senses (or losing them on the way).

Mickey (Kacper Olszewski) and his mother (Agnieszka Podsiadlik)

There is no consistent storyline to speak about, only a collage of experiences, thoughts and fantasies presented in a lavish manner. Utilizing modern cinematic techniques: split frames, vignettes ,CGI animations, rapid cut edits and intriguing sound and special effects, the filmmakers grasp the attention of the viewer. At times it’s shocking, provoking and, in my case, severely confusing (though after a while things start to make sense). All of the adjectives that I have used to describe the 2012 short film from Switzerland Hazel (Flamboyant, quirky, funny, provoking and original) also perfectly fit the Polish, Baby Bump.

The whole movie is shot from the child's perspective — The whole movie is shot from the child’s perspective

It is not a coincidence that I have referred to two short films while reviewing Baby Bump. I genuinely believe that it would have been more effective as a short film than a full feature — thus sparing the viewers from a surrealistic overload (even though some people may love it just because of that).

The bluntness of the filmmakers in portraying Coming-of-Age experiences in this film reminded me of Kay Pollak‘s 1980 film Barnens ö (Children’s Island). I doubted that any director of the increasingly non-tolerant society that we live in, filled with non-genuine concerns blown out of proportion, would have the courage to portray growing up in such “in your face”, daring manner.

Due to the nature of the film, acting is hard to judge, yet Kacper Olszewski manages to be extremely cute and photogenic as Mickey in some scenes (shot in extreme close-ups), yet slightly repulsive in others. The film is about his character and told from his child`s perspective. It’s a character study of a kind, yet one focusing on the physiological and psychological changes that occurs for all of us when we leave our innocence behind.

I enjoyed the film, yet hesitate to whole heartily recommend it knowing that many audiences will find it way too provoking – even vulgar at times. The biggest drawback to me is the lack of a consistent narrative, which also makes the film unsuitable for repeated viewings (unless one decides to decipher the symbolism Baby Bump is filled with).

Official Trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5028892/combined

TheSkyKid.com

TheSKyKid.com

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Play (2011)

Baby Bump (2015)