TBFF Film Review - Sound of Torture

Meron Esefanos sits at a sparse desk at her home in Sweden. The Eritrean ex-pat is on the air with a cell phone in hand. She is talking to a desperate woman on the other end. The woman had been kidnapped in the Sinai Desert and was being tortured as they spoke. Her Bedouin captors encourage calls to family relatives or Meron's radio program Voices of Eritreans hoping that their screams of pain will encourage ransom payments up to $25,000 dollars.

Sound of Torture is a harrowing tale of abuse, rape, burnings, beatings psychological and emotion torture placed on a people who are attempting to escape from a brutal military regime in their home land. The Eritreans that managed to escape in prior years could go to Europe to seek refuge.  But the European nations closed their borders leaving a trek across the Sinai Desert to Israel as the only way out. During the journey Eritrean men, women and children are hunted by the Bedouins captured then taken to torture houses where the atrocities are inflicted.

Director Keren Shayo trains her lens on several different Eritrean nationals but the story mainly focuses on two women. Hiryti who was just about to give birth when captured and the desperate voice on the other end of Meron's phone at the films opening and Timnit just out of her teens who disappeared 18th month prior somewhere near the Egypt Israeli border. The central figure in the story is the afore mentioned Estefanos who wandered into the desperate plight of these people almost by accident. She had a caller on her show who was talking about the situation in the terror camps. Meron questioned the validity of the callers comments. The caller gave her a legitimate number to call that put a camp prisoner on the other end of the phone.

The narrative sharpens when Meron decides that she has to see events unfold in Tel Aviv. Once on the ground she meets members of the Eritrean community including several people that she regularly talked to on the phone or over the air. Now in the area Estefanos turns to one of her main goals to venture out to the area of the torture camp disguised in traditional Muslim attire. In the area she finds discarded clothing of men, women and especially children along with torn garments stuck in the fencing separating Egypt and Israel. She is also determined to track down the missing pieces to Hiryti and Timnit's stories.

The members of the Eritrean community are happy to be in Israel. They are no longer being tortured but their fates are not settled. Meron meets several community members that show her the permanent torture scars. Even the psychological scares are evident in body language and physical reactions. They have no status in Israeli, no work permits are known as infiltrators and are subject to deportation back to Eritrea if they come into conflict with the law.

Sound of Torture is a detailed looks into a little publicized story. The documentary features real conversations and interviews with Eritrean ex-pats and recordings of conversation with victims as they are in prison. It also highlights the different fates of Eritrean's like Meron who was able to get out and go to Sweden vs those who left after Europe shut their borders and their options are persecution at home, potential kidnapping on the trip across the Sinai or at best living undocumented in Israel with the threat of deportation constantly over your head. The film is a powerful account of the fate of a people and one that I can highly recommend.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Sound of Torture | Keren Shayo | Israel / Egypt / Sweden | 2013 | 58 Minutes.

Tags; War, Kidnapping, Eritrea, Sinai Dessert, Tel Aviv, Ransom, Torture, Disappeared, Undocumented, infiltrators.

TBFF Film Review - The Supreme Price

Hafsat Abiola is fresh off a plane returning home to Lagos Nigeria at the start of the film. Abiola has been out of the country for an extended period of time due to events that started in motion when her father M.K.O. Chief Abiola ran and won the presidency in a free election in 1993. Her dad was soon imprisoned after another in a series of military coups followed by the murder of her mother Kudirat in 1996. Her mother fought for women's rights in Nigeria and to free her husband as the rightful President of the country.  It's with this history and memories that Hafsat has returned to her homeland to take up a political post and her mother's cause.

Director Joanna Lipper's film explores the major political and social issues in the country. Lipper traces the countries' history going back to the 1960 independence from Britain followed by the 23 years of military rule spanning from 1966 until1993 when Hafsat's dad won the free election but never took office. She also looks at the social aspect starting with the Muslim tradition of a husband being allowed up to 4 wives. Hasfat's mother Kudirat was the second of her father's wives and relatively quiet until her services were called upon to campaign for her husband in her home territory during the 1993 election campaign.

Women in Nigeria were a key demographic in change. They lead the protest movement with their actions. Kudirat lead a workers strike at the lucrative government oil fields. They shut down the markets, staging naked protests uniting Nigerians across regional and religious differences. Dealing with religious attitudes and traditions is always a delicate issue. In the Muslim tradition women are directed to pray at home or even more specific in their bedrooms. Therefore for a woman prayer in your yard is not as desirable as on your from porch which is less desirable than in your living room not to mention at a Mosque where all of the men go to pray. This reality along with the four-wife tradition made it hard for women to strive for equality. Even Hafsat's brother who is up to three wives at the time of filming does not feel that his sister should be in politics. He admits that the men that are running things are not doing a good job but thinks that Nigeria can find better ones before needing to consider women.

Lipper presents historical footage of the different dictators over the years and media reported of the 1993 election as part of her film. She shows Hafast time at school in the United States then her comfortable home life in Belgium with her Husband and two young children before she makes the decision to return to home to accept a suburban Lagos government position. Lipper uses effective graphics and timelines to show the history of military dictators and the ethnic and religious diversity  of the country.

The Supreme Price is a comprehensive account of the volatile history of a relative recently independent nation. Hafsat Abiola the daughter of the only freely elected President gives complete access to her personal and families story to the director. The story presents the social and political facts and events of the country in a gripping and compelling manner.  It is a film that I can recommend.

*** out of 4.

The Supreme Price | Joanna Lipper | U.S.A. /Nigeria | 2014 | 75 minutes.

Tags: Africa, Nigeria, Documentary, Independence, Military Coup, War, Activism, Religion, Democracy, Protest.

TBFF Film Review - Manos Sucias

Delio (Cristian Abvincula) is 19 years old, a new dad and an out of work fisherman in Buenaventura Columbia. Delio spends his days practicing his rapping style dreaming of making it big in the music industry. Through an introduction he meets Don Valintin who sets him up with a job towing a hollowed out torpedo full of narcotics up river to a handoff point for some fast cash. Delio cohort in the venture is an older brother from town Jacobo (Jarlin Javier Martinez) who wants to get to Bogota since he sees no future in his hometown.

The story is very straightforward but takes some time to get going. Delino is happy go lucky constantly smiling and looking to give is the other guy the benefit of the doubt. The elder Jacobo having seen the criminal and violent elements in the town through the actions of both paramilitary and guerrilla forces is more stern and suspicious.

The narrative picks up well into the journey when the pair's cargo is threatened. The duo have a short time to react and recover as the transfer is set to occur at sundown that day. Writer cinematographer Alan Blanco is at his best showing life along the river. The look of the production peaks as the camera trains its lens on normal village activities along the riverbank as our protagonists motor by. Director writer Josef Wladyka excels at building tension in a scene. A strong example is a sequence where our heroes run into a guerrillas patrol while riding the rails on a Brujita. Delino and Jacobo have to move the Brujita to the side while being questioned by the guerrillas. They are particularly at risk since they are not from the area and the local with them had just put a major obstacle in their path to complete their job.

Another key element in the story is the disconnect between Afro and Latin Columbians. They argue over who is the better soccer player Pele or Zico.  The debate is emphasized in one fireside argument with Latin-Columbian Hector (Hadder Blandon) who is the link to gang that provided the job. Then again when Delio cannot understand why Jacobo wants to move to Bogota because as he states repeatedly that there are no black people in the Columbian capital unless they are doing manual labour.

The two main actors are a good fit for their roles. They spend a lot of time together on the boat, sing traditional local songs and change in their initial opinions as the story progresses. Jocobo is hard on Delio and the ways of his generation at the outset but at an early moment of truth he is there to defend his brother. Delio's trusting persona slowly drifts away leading to a critical moment when he has to make a major decision to protect the pair that is far from an act of a happy go luck individual.

Manos Sucias is a basic story with a few twist and turns. After the action picks up the film finds its rhythm and the audience becomes invested in the fate of Delio and Jacobo. Josef Wladyka presents a story seen from viewpoint of Afro-Columbian youth.  If you have an interest in the region and hang in during the slower early parts of the narrative then the film is worth a watch.

** 1/2 Out of 4.

Manos Sucias | Josef Wladyka | U.S.A. /Columbia | 2014 | 84 Minutes.

Tags: Narco torpedo, Smuggling, Crime, Buenaventura,  Fishermen, Rapping, Paramilitary, Guerrillas.

Film Review - American Sniper

The film opens in the middle. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is poised on a rooftop with spotter Goat (Kyle Gallner) by his side. He is still, quiet and breathing rythmically as he peer through the lens of his M40 rifle. The marine unit below rolls down the towns main street the audible rhythm of the Abrams tank's chains fill the air. Kyle stares back into his scope and spots a woman and young boy entering the street are they friendly or a threat? Kyle has to make a call from hundreds of yards away. If he shoots and they are innocent he could face charges if he hesitates and they are the enemy it will mean death for the marines that are relying on him for protection.

The scene shifts back Texas of the near past. Kyle's main concern is riding bucking horses, his younger brother Jeff ( Keir O'Donnell), having a few beers and spending time with his girl. His Father took him hunting reglarly as a kid teaching him respect for both his rifle and his prey. After a break up with his current girlfriend followed by a night out with Jeff September 11th occurred leading Kyle to the local recruiting office and off to SEAL training.

Veteran director Clint Eastwood presents the story of a true life American solider. Eastwood uses every opportunity to develop tension in the film. From the moments where Kyle has to make the decision to shoot or not on rooftops. To heated discussions with locals, interpreters present as the American troops go door to door to find the enemy. Another different take in the story by writer Jason Hall and from Chris Kyle's book are the satellite phone calls home from the theatre of battle. As a Sniper Kyle is often removed from the action therefore he has the chance to switch his earphone to a different channel to call home and speak to his wife Taya (Sienna Miller).

The heart of the film is the focus on the difficulty for Chris Kyle to reintegrate back into domestic society. He goes on four plus tours of Iraq hits all the hot spots Fallujah, Ramadi and Sadyr City.  Over there he has his orders and his team. He can do his job and is very good at it. He is a hero to his fellow troops with a confirmed 160 kills knowing exactly where he fits in.  Back at home he can't adjust to the pace. He's distant from his wife, awkward with his kids and family friends seeing combat scenarios from Iraq at backyard barbecues and while traveling on city streets. The production also dedicates a good bit of time to Veteran hospitals and services including Kyle's work with wounded veterans that helps both the soldiers in the hospital and Kyle himself.

Bradley Cooper is forceful as Chris Kyle. Cooper bulked up for the role, settled into a thick Texas drawl and seemed at ease playing a menacing guy especially during several scenes on the home front. Sienna Miller is strong as Taya. She resists Kyle's advances as first not wanting anything to do with a Navy SEAL but becomes his wife and partner.  She is the one that his to try to reach him when he tunes out at home. She is also the person on his mind when he realizes that he is done in Iraq and is coming home for good.

American Sniper looks at the war in Iraq from a different lens. It's the attention paid to the time between tours on the home front and the struggles veterans face working back into normal society that separates the piece. It is a film I can recommend.

American Sniper | Clint Eastwood | U.S.A. | 2014 | 132 Minutes.

Tags; Biography, Iraq, Navy SEAL, Falluja, Ramadi, Sadyr City, 4 Tours, PTSD, Veteran Affairs, BUD/S.

Elevation Pictures Film Review- A Most Violent Year

Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) wants to run a legitimate business. He is the owner of a fast rising heating oil company. Morales an immigrant to the United States, rose through the ranks and bought the company from his wife Anna's (Jessica Chastain) father. Anna knows the seedier side of the heating oil business having grown up in the industry. The world includes attacking fellow competitors trucks, buying stolen product, fast and loose accounting practices and rigging scales for company friendly meter readings.

The story is set in 1981 New York and as the title states it was one of the top years for murders in the City's history. In 1981 New York was much grittier that it is today. Times Square was porn shops and peep shows not Disney, ESPN Zones and Apple stores that it is today. The cities back alleys and abandon spaces were full of graffiti along with subway trains and stations . Writer /Director J.C. Chandor and his production team do an excellent job of setting the scene. The first aspect is a historical undertone of daily radio crime reports. The commentary is muted under a given scene but the viewer is able to pick up the grim details. The second is the wardrobe choices. 1981 is in the near past but the clothing, hair and glasses choices make the film look like a period piece. The film is set and shot in the winter. Big coats, big collars, hats, and hair rule the day. The third is recreating the grittiness of the time. The production tagged fresh graffiti and the use of dark drab pale blues, whites and greys brought home the feel of a cold New York winter.

A Most Violent Year refreshingly takes it time to get to its point. At the films outset one of Morales' Standard Heating Oil trucks is highjacked, its driver pistol whipped. The audience soon learns that this is an ongoing issue targeting the company. Morales is also about to make a significant deal for a little used property between Standard Heating Oil's terminal and the river that will open up the ability to bring in product by water when the prices are low store them in the onsite tanks then sell at a higher price when the heating oil market rises in the winter. Chandor story slowing unravels these issues along with the battle by Morales to stay legit while Anna is more willing to bend the rules to accomplish the couples goals.

Oscar Isaac absorbs his character of Abel Morales reminding one of a young Al Pacino in the Godfather films. The first striking thing about his character is the long expensive camel wool coat he ports throughout the film. The coat is above his current standing but Abel is portraying where he wants to be instead of where he is now. He displays his personal and professional philosophy when he instructs three new sales people on how to close a deal. Standard oil will not be the cheapest option but it will be the better one. If a customer gives you a choice of refreshment always pick the more expensive or exotic option. If offered coffee or tea you take the tea. Jessica Chastain turns in another in a string of strong performances as Anna Morales. She battles her husband toe to toe, attacks his manhood when he refuses to push back and go the more violent route but is quietly loyal protecting her families future while taking on public officials that appear at the Morales' door.

A most Violent year is an engrossing take on a little explored subject on film. The production team does a formidable job of recreating the time period.  The two lead actors are captivating in their roles. J.C. Candor continues his impressive run of solid features on vastly different subject matters. The Heating Oil business circa 1981 here, alone at sea in All is Lost and the investment banking in Margin Call.  This is a film that I can recommend.

*** Out of 4.

A Most Violent Year | J.C. Chandor | U.S.A. | 2014 | 125 Minutes.

Tags:1981, New York, Crime,  Immigrant, District Attorney, Inditement, Land Deal, Union.

eOne Film Review- Mortdecai

Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) is an Art expert and dealer of questionable peerage who dabbles in the shadier side of the business. At the films opening he's in Hong Kong working on a deal for a vase with long term rival Fang Fat (Junix Inocian). As the pair banter it's revealed that Mortdecai is in serious financial difficulty with the British Government. The two do not come to a deal leading to a physical confrontation Mortdecai is backed by his manservant/thug Jock (Peter Bettany).

A quick transition back to London where Mortdecai's wife Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow) survey's the next pieces from the estate that must go out to auction. She is put off by the new mustache a Mortdecai male tradition declaring an either or ultimatum.  The pair are soon visited by MI5 Inspector Martland (Ewan McGregor) who is investigation a theft of a Goya painting plus the death of a restorer that may have terrorist implications.

Director David Koepp's film based on a Kyril Bonfiglioli novel whirls around the capitals of Europe in pursuit of the missing mural. The film tries to recreate the heist capers from the sixties but misses the mark. Eric Aronson script does not hit the right comedic notes. The production has a few instances that will bring a smile or a chuckle but most of the attempts at hilarity stall or fizzle.

The film has a few running gags mainly Mortdecai's mustache that is an item of conversation each time a new character enters the scene and causes Johanna to gag whenever she comes in close proximity. Another the irresistible prowess of manservant Jock bedding women at every turn. 's  that becomes tiresome after the third depiction.

The highlight of the film is in the handling of the transitions. As the characters jet around Europe the cities are shown satellite style with  multiple story high letters on screen. Planes carrying our group fly though O's around the A's and into an S shattering it to pieces. The film often uses fast pace frames linking the last location of one city to the first point of call in the next.

Johnny Depp seems to be working on an inside joke that only he knows with his character Mortdecai. He appears to be channeling Peter Sellers, David Niven  or possibly even Mike Myer's Austin Powers but does not quite get there. Gwyneth Paltrow does well with little material as Johanna the smartest person in the film and the only one with any investigative skills. Which is what one would expect for McGregor's MI5 investigator Markland  who spends more time mesmerized by Johanna who passed him over for Mortdecai back when the three of them were in college.

David Koepp's Mortdecai is an attempt at an international escapade that falls short. The vast majority of the jokes are not funny and the film suffers from a thin plot. Depp's character has some  good moment but they are few and  far between. It is not a film that I can recommend even to die hard Johnny Depp fans.

* 1/2  Out of 4.

Mortdecai| David Koepp | U.S.A. | 2015 | 106 Minutes.

Tags: Art , Goya, Smuggling, Mustache, Restorer, Forgery, Auction, Manservant, Lord, MI5.  

Lists - Top 10 Films of 2014

It's time again to look back over the year that was and chart the best films of the year.  2014 was another solid year with many contenders for a spot in the year end top 10. Due to my attendance at several film festivals some films make my list that have not yet had a wide release while others on several top 10 lists such as IDA and WE ARE THE BEST were on last years list. Lastly I did not catch SELMA or  INHERENT VICE both of which  ave early January releases and could have made my list.  Without further adieu here are the titles:


10.  Mr. Turner.

9. The Notorious Mr. Bout.

8.    What We Do In The Shadows.

7.  Leviathan.

6.  In The Crosswind.

5.  Boyhood.

4.   Calvary.    

3.  Force Majeure.                

2.  Under The Skin.

1.  Mommy

On the opposite side of the spectrum my worst three movies of the year were Among Ravens,  Impunity and  The Monuments Men.

Cheers and best to everyone for 2015!