Coda’s ongoing coverage of the 2024 Phoenix Film Festival & International Horror Sci-Fi Film Festival. I'll be using these posts to recap the films I've experienced as part of these festivals.
THE OLD OAK – Directed by Ken Loach
Ken Loach’s latest and final film tells the story of a small village in Norther England that takes in a group of refugees from war-torn Syria. The town’s barkeep TJ (David Turner) begins a friendship with one of the foreigners (Elba Mari), much to the dismay of some members of his community.
This subject matter was
right up my alley and the film’s patience, and execution handles the topic beautifully.
This is immediately in contention for my year’s end list. Loach perfectly
illustrates how effectively certain powers can turn the working poor against
immigrants and refugees. This film magnificently manages to convey these
struggles without painting the locals as evil, stupid or even unsympathetic (mostly).
The film's true antagonist is off screen somewhere, turning the screws and
stacking the decks against our community and our characters.
The performances,
specifically by Mari and Turner almost dare you not to open your heart to their
stories.
It's safe to say that I
won't see anything like this again. I think this is Mandico's best feature to
date. It's well directed, and I responded more narratively to this than his
previous work. But in all honesty, this film works best as shock art. It's a
visual feast that easily makes up for any lack of cohesion with plenty of
flamboyance.
The set design and
camerawork here complement each other well. At times, this film aesthetically
reminded me of Jim Henson, Guy Maddin and even Woodkid. I'm a fan of all of those
previously mentioned artists, so I tended to respond positively to most of the
set pieces here as well.
I don't know if this
will land as the cult classic that it has the potential for. I don't even know
if that's actually a thing anymore, to be honest. But based on Mandico's
previous success, I suspect you'll be able to stream this one for a couch full
of unsuspecting victims before the end of the year.
PROPERTY – Directed
by Daniel Bandeira
Theresa and her husband
take a sabbatical at their multi-acre farmhouse to escape the violence of Brazil’s
urban life after a traumatic encounter with a kidnapper. But while there, the
workers revolt after learning of the impending closure of the farm. She is able
to lock herself in her newly armored vehicle but cannot start the engine.
The ensuing siege plays out as two desperate parties are separated by a layer
of glass.
Immediately, this film
reminded me of Jason Kohn's fantastic Brazilian documentary from 2007 called MANDA BALA
(With a Bullet). In that film, we explore the many new industries created by Sao
Paulo’s kidnapping trade. Among these was the car armoring businesses. The wealthy
there learn to keep decoy wallets, take helicopters from building to building,
and they’ve even perfected a plastic surgical procedure to recreate your ear
after the kidnapper removes it for ransom purposes. The doc’s tagline is “When
the rich steal from the poor… the poor steal the rich.” This film felt almost
like its spiritual sequel.
We live in a world with
such a starkly divided wage gap, that those with wealth are terrified of those
without taking restitution. Brazil, like most Central and South American
countries has seen its resources plundered and hoarded by corporations for decades with
the help of corrupt politicians. Here in the U.S., multimillionaires and billionaires
watch news coverage of violent cities while they stockpile resources and dig literal
bunkers. This film, in a microcosm, illustrates how violence is the great equalizer.
And how so many in this world are due for balance.
My only issue with this
film is a technical one. Much of the time we spend is locked in an armored SUV
with Theresa. Typically, this space would have felt much more enclosed and claustrophobic.
I never really had that tightness in my chest that I would have expected. And
this atmosphere would have served the narrative well. Overall however, this was a
fantastically made flick and I’ll surely revisit it.
PROPERTY plays again on
Saturday, April 13th at 9:45 PM
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