Foreign Film Review

Desert Flower (2009)

Country: Somalia/United Kingdom

Story Outline in Brief:  The TRUE story of a young Somali girl who runs away from her village home after she is told she will be married off to a man much older than she.  Through a series of amazing events she finds herself as a very successful supermodel in London.

My Review:  This is one of the most beautiful, tragic, amazing, heart-wrenching movies I’ve ever seen.

The movie opens on a very young (maybe 11 or 12 years old) shepherdess named Waris in the middle of the Somali desert.  The day after she starts her first period she is told she will be married to a man at least three times her age.  Unable to swallow that very bitter pill, she runs away in the middle of the night. Waris spends days walking across the desert with no food and no water, until finally, her feet bloodied and her body on the brink of starvation, she comes across a highway where she catches a bus to Mogadishu, the capitol of Somalia and the home of her aunt, uncle, and cousins.  Her extended family isn’t able to care for her for very long and she refuses to go back home because she knows what would await her there.  And so begins Waris’s journey to the United Kingdom.  She is sent there to work as a maid for a distant relative who is the Somali ambassador to the UK.  She lives as a servant in the ambassador’s home all through her teenage years.  When political chaos ensues in Mogadishu, the ambassador is forced to return to Somalia.  Instead of risking what awaits her in Somalia, Waris runs away…and ends up homeless on the streets of London, digging through trash for her meals and sleeping in doorways.  After some time goes by, she befriends a young salesgirl who ends up allowing her to stay in her very tiny apartment.  Waris finds a job as a bus girl at a local fast food restaurant, and that’s when amazing things start to happen.  One day as she cleans floors and picks up trash, a world famous photographer approaches her and tries to explain to her that she is one of the most beautiful women he has ever seen.  Her English is very poor so she doesn’t quite understand what he is saying, but she grudgingly takes his business card and puts it in her pocket.  Months later, her friend discovers the business card and convinces Waris to go to the photographer’s office.  Long story short, Waris very quickly becomes an extremely successful supermodel, traveling and becoming famous in the modeling world.

However, this is not a story of happily ever after or rainbows and butterflies.  There is a very dark backdrop behind the polished front of this tale.  Throughout her time among British friends and the modeling world, Waris discovers that not all women in the world are circumcised. She wrestles through feelings of anger and guilt as she realizes that the horribly painful thing that was done to her as a 3 year old child was absolutely unnecessary.  After intense stomach pains cause her to take a trip to the hospital, she makes the decision to have herself surgically fixed as much as possible.  In the doctor’s words, “I can’t give you back what’s been taken away, but I can make it hurt less.”  As the circumstances of her modeling career, etc., progress, we are taken with her on this painful journey as she decides to make her story public.  This comes to a head when she is interviewed a by a fashion magazine to tell her story of being “discovered.”  The journalist asks her, “Can you tell me about the day that changed your life?”  Waris replies, “What day is that?”  “The day that you were discovered at the fast food restaurant.”  With tears in her eyes, Waris says, “That is not the day that changed my life.  If I tell you a story, do you promise to publish it?”  The journalist agrees and Waris begins to recount the horrific tale of being genitally mutilated (i.e., female circumcision) at the age of 3.  This was one of the most difficult scenes in a movie I’ve ever had to watch.  As Waris tells her tale, we see the flashback of the actual event taking place.  On a rock in the middle of the desert, without anesthesia, an old woman takes a dull knife and does the most horrifying thing that could ever happen to a little girl.  I’ll let you watch the movie if you want to know more details.  It’s truly horrendous and tragic.  When her story is complete, we see the journalist again, with tears streaming down her face as Waris silently leaves the room.  The story gets published and spreads like wildfire.  Months later, Waris finds herself at the UN General Assembly in New York City, speaking to representatives from all over the world about the tragedy of female circumcision and genital mutilation.  She shares with the Assembly that two of her sisters died from bleeding to death and infection and that this is not at all uncommon in her village or other villages like hers which practice female circumcision.

Tragically, millions of young girls are forced into this barbaric practice every year.  Waris Dirie has become a United Nations special ambassador, speaking about female circumcision and fighting for its removal from the world.  Under her leadership, many cities and villages have outlawed this practice, saving the lives and well-being of countless girls.  She will continue to fight until the practice is eradicated.  In her words, “What happens to the least of us affects us all.”

Gabi Rating: R, ages 18 and up – Sexual content, graphic description of genital mutilation, nudity, and language.  I really wouldn’t recommend this movie to the faint of heart, no matter your age.

Summarizing Thoughts:  This movie (which is also a book! I will be reading it soon) has once again reminded me of the war that rages around women every day.  I was deeply moved by this movie, realizing that female circumcision isn’t just a physical abuse, it is the enemy’s tactic to remove all dignity and worth from a woman.  Circumcision affects every area of a woman’s life…she is never quite whole and she lives with the emotional and physical scars until she dies.  We cannot allow this to happen to our sisters!!  For more information, check out www.desertflowerfoundation.org and other foundations like it that are fighting for the rights of women around the world.  Model/Actress Liya Kebede was absolutely brilliant as Waris Dirie in this film.

“Female mutilation has no cultural, no traditional and no religious aspect.  It is a crime which seeks justice.” –Waris Darie

I give this film 4 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥♥♥×

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The Song of Sparrows (2008)

Country: Iran

Story Outline in Brief: After a father loses his job at an ostrich farm near his home in the countryside, he must venture into Tehran to search for work.

My Review: A decent movie about fatherhood. I think most fathers worldwide would be able to relate to this Iranian father’s desire to provide and care for his family as well as with his frustration when he is unable to do so. There are serious and comical aspects to the film. We are saddened along with the father as he is unable to replace his deaf daughter’s broken hearing aid. We laugh as he is becomes irritated with his young son’s antics. We become angry when he is falsely accused of stealing. And we applaud him as he takes advantage of the need for motorcycle taxis in Tehran by quickly and suddenly becoming a motorcycle taxi driver himself. My favorite scene in the film was one in which the father sings a silly song to his young son and his son’s friends in an attempt to cheer them up after they have lost a bucket full of goldfish they had worked very hard to buy. Unfortunately, the movie largely lacked plot and had a very sudden and disappointing ending. If it wasn’t for the ending I would have given this film 3 stars instead of 2. I did, however, enjoy getting a glimpse into Iranian society…it is very fascinating. Within it exists a backward sense of propriety starkly contrasted by the bustling modernity of the capital city…skyscrapers, cell phones, tvs…and women required to wear the chador. (I only say “backward” because of where Iran stood 25 years ago on women’s rights compared to where it stands now…it has literally gone backward in time.)

Gabi Rating: PG – Cultural complexities

Summarizing Thoughts: An interesting film for anyone interested in Iran and a heartwarming (and occasionally heartbreaking) story about fatherhood.

I give this film 2 out of 5 hearts!  ♥♥×××

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Departures (2008)

Country: Japan

Story Outline in Brief: After his orchestra dissolves, Daigo, a cellist, moves back to his hometown with his wife to search for a job. He ends up working at a funeral home which offers ceremonial preparation of bodies before they are casketed.

My Review: I was definitely taken by surprise by this movie. I expected it to be very dramatic, but it was actually filled with lighthearted and even comical moments. Daigo thinks he is interviewing at a travel agency and is hired before finding out what the position actually is. He is consequently subjected to a lot of interesting and comical experiences as he gets accustomed to his job. I love finding little gems like this film. It was very good; probably one of the best Asian films I’ve seen. It explored the bonds of family in creative and even conflicting ways…Daigo’s wife Mika leaves him because she thinks he is unclean and disgusting for tending to the dead. Meanwhile, as he delicately and beautifully prepares bodies to be casketed, the families of the deceased show extreme respect and gratitude for what he has done for them. One of the most touching moments in the film is when an older man whose wife has died bows his head to Daigo after the casketing ceremony and, with tears in his eyes, says, “She has never looked more beautiful. Thank you for what you have done.” One of my favorite things about the film was the Japanese flavor in the midst of a lot of Western clothing, music, and décor. This was most evident in the casketing ceremony scenes. The preparation of the body is so delicate, intricate, reverent, and beautiful. These are the kinds of things the Japanese are especially good at. It was so fascinating to watch these cultural traditions on screen.

Gabi Rating: PG – Mild language and some thematic elements.

Summarizing Thoughts: Fantastic Japanese film colored with lots of relational and cultural nuances. Very emotionally satisfying and a delight for foreign film lovers.

I give this film 3 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥♥××

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  Illegal (2010)

 

Country: Belgium

Story Outline in Brief: A Russian mother illegally immigrates to Belgium with her young son. Several years later she is arrested, detained, and threatened with deportation as an illegal immigrant.

My Review: This film is a fascinating portrait of the complexities of immigration. I was challenged and gripped by the film as I thought of how privileged I am to have been born and raised in America. Most people around the world struggle to survive and those who try to escape to a better place are often sent back to their countries of origin despite the hardship and dangers they will face there. Belgium considers Russia to be an ally and does not view it as a dangerous country for nationals (such as they would view Belarus, North Korea, Iran, etc.). This puts this woman in a precarious situation as she’s threatened with deportation. I’m interested to know the accuracies of this story as far as Belgian law is concerned. The police stop the woman on the street and ask to see her identity papers for no particular reason and that is when she is arrested. I’m curious if that is actually legal in Belgium. There is also a scene of extreme abuse at the hands of the deportation agents and I’m not sure if this is something that actually occurs in Europe or not. It was a riveting story, however, and as I said above, it challenged me to think about immigration, nationality, and the life of freedom we often take for granted in the United States.

Gabi Rating: PG-13 – A scene of violence.

Summarizing Thoughts: A very interesting study of immigration, nationality, belonging, and hope. The ending was a bit abrupt, but overall a well-made film.

I give this film 3 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥♥××

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The Colors of the Mountain (2010)

Country: Colombia

Story Outline in Brief: A little boy who lives in the volatile countryside of Colombia is determined to play football (soccer) no matter what challenges may come to stop him.

My Review: This film was a little bit slow, but definitely interesting. We’re never told who the “bad guys” are in the story as it’s presented from the children’s perspective. We’re left as confused as they about where the tension is coming from and why it exists. This is really just a story about a little boy who has a passion for football and who will brave his parent’s anger, danger from rebels, and a field full of land mines to pursue the thing he loves. This narrative is set on the violent backdrop of rural Colombia and is definitely a tragedy. The difficult things that the people in this movie face actually seem even scarier because we are seeing it through the confused eyes of a child. There are bright and funny moments, but don’t go into watching this movie for an enjoyable experience. It is definitely hard to watch and ends tragically.

Gabi Rating: PG-13 – Violence

Summarizing Thoughts: If you’re a Colombian history buff this movie will probably make more sense to you than to the rest of us. Not the best foreign film I’ve seen, but not the worst either. It’s worth a viewing.

I give this film 2 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥×××

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Ushpizin (2004)

Country: Israel

Story Outline in Brief: During the Feast of Tabernacles, a married couple goes through the amazing experience of seeing miracles and receiving two unexpected guests into their Succah (the booth in which they living during the holiday)

My Review: This film was absolutely fantastic! I love foreign films, but I find that they are frequently sad and humorless. This film, however, was joyful, comical, and inspiring. I haven’t felt this happy watching a move in a while! My heart was blessed and encouraged as I witnessed this couple turn their prayers to God during a desperate time…and then as God answered their prayers with amazing miracles!! But it didn’t stop there. The two convicts who end up staying with them as their “Ushpizin” (holy guests) during the festival end up creating nothing but trouble for them. Their marriage is even threatened because of the strain the ushpizin bring. But once again they put their faith in God and end up realizing that this “test” of the disruptive ushpizin was a blessing in disguise. This is one of the most encouraging films I’ve ever seen.

Gabi Rating: PG – as long as kids can read the subtitles, they can watch this movie! There is some smoking and possibly a few bad words from the convicts (I honestly don’t remember).

Summarizing Thoughts: If you believe in God but are feeling discouraged, this film will lift your spirits. The power of prayer is beautiful and the Love of God for His children is overwhelming in this film.

I give this film 4 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥♥♥×

Much Joy,

Gabi xoxo

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Tsotsi (2006)

 

Country: South Africa

Story Outline in Brief: A young gangster from a  slum on the outskirts of Johannesburg steals a car from a rich woman one night…and finds a baby in the backseat. Needless to say, this turns his life upside-down.

 My Review: This movie was a little slow, but very poignant. It reveals two things at once: the harsh realities of life in the slums of South Africa and also how one person can completely change your life. I loved watching the changes that happened inside of this very rough, violent, hard young man as he figured out how to take care of the small being that had been thrust into his life. It was definitely not a happy or uplifting movie (even as he cared for the baby, Tsotsi is cruel and violent toward his friends and fellow poor), but it showed the potential for hope and change in even the most hopeless and unchanging of lives.

Gabi Rating: R for language and violence

Summarizing Thoughts: South Africa is certainly a dichotomy of lifestyles and this film depicts that in a very glaring light. It made me wonder how the very rich could live so closely to the extremely poor (literally a walk away) without trying to do something for those in poverty. I suppose this is a reflection of all of our lives in a way. Are we willing to step outside of our comfort zone to help and empower the less fortunate?

(Note: I preferred the first of two alternate endings to the ending that made the final cut)

I give this film 3 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥♥××

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A Peck On the Cheek (2002)

Countries: India and Sri Lanka

Story Outline in Brief: Two Indian parents decide to tell their daughter she is adopted on her 9^th birthday. The news comes as a shock and leads into an eye-opening and heartrending journey to Sri Lanka to find her Sri Lankan birth mother.

My Review: This is one of the greatest foreign films I have ever seen. Filmed in India, I picked it up because it is distinctive among Indian films in that its language is Tamil, the language of Chennai where I will be heading this summer. I was moved to tears at the subtly beautiful ways the film depicted family relationships. I was particularly moved by the end scene where the young girl meets and says goodbye to her birth mother. The relationship with her adoptive mother had been strained throughout the movie once the girl realized that she was adopted. The pain in her mom’s heart was raw and laid bare, and yet she accompanied her daughter and husband to find her child’s birth mother. After the girl said goodbye to the birth mother, she turned to her mom and kissed her over and over again. I could feel the healing of the relationship as I watched this incredibly touching scene.

The film is also interesting in its reflection of recent Sri Lankan history, particularly the civil war. There are a few life and death moments as the family gets caught in the middle of the country’s fray.

Gabi Rating: PG-13 for violence.

Summarizing Thoughts: The film is a universal narrative on adoption. Adoptive parents must be ready to face the needs in their children’s hearts to know where they have come from and to search out their heritage. I recommend this film to anyone interested in adoption as well as those interested in this part of the world.

I give this film 4 out of 5 hearts! ♥♥♥♥×

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I’m not a normal movie watcher.  When I go to the library I look for little gems of movies from around that world.  I like movies with a message and I feel that many foreign films capture deep thoughts better than your every day Hollywood blockbuster (though I may review one of those every once in a while).  Check in here from time to time to see what I’ve been watching and what I recommend.  Enjoy!