Film is one of the most powerful forms of media that we have in our society. It can be used to challenge our assumptions, perceptions and open our minds to the voices of others. It is important, therefore, that we understand film and the messages they often express.
If you are interested in World Cinema and like to learn about different cultures and ways of writing and filmmaking then you will be interested in the articles I have written below.
Here is a guide to the most influential Lusophone authors:
Are you a fan of independent films? Do you enjoy performances from charismatic, powerful and emotional actors/actresses? Do you yearn to watch films bursting with creativity? Then you will like Carolina Monte Rosa.
Here is a guide to the five most influential Lusophone films:
Are you interested in independent cinema? Would you like to watch films which explore different aspects of human life as well as explore the various landscapes of Brazil? Sounds appealing? Read our profile on one of Brazil’s best independent film makers Marília Rocha.
This fable about the tradition of the water source is not just about the need for running water, but rather, more about the struggle between tradition and modernisation. In times of change, this fable challenges the traditional values of the household in a Moroccan village as the women take a stand to be heard.
Ice-T is a world renowned rap
icon and has sold millions of copies of records. He has had huge success in the
art of rap and has brought us this documentary, which he has directed and presents,
that asks the one question that never gets asked to rappers, “How did you do
that?”
The Art of Rap is a personal journey for Ice-T as he delves into
the roots of the music that saved his life. This definitive documentary
portrays how rap is all about craft and skill, as it is an art form and is
unique to the place in which it is crafted. Ice-T takes us on a trip around
America, starting in New York, in the Bronx where rap first started, to Detroit
and then LA, showing us how rap has developed in each place to portray a
different message of a different way of life.
Along the way, this documentary
features exclusive interviews and freestyle performances by some of the
greatest names in rap, including; Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Caz, Nas, Mos
Def, Eminem, Chuck D, KRS-One, Run-DMC, Dr.Dre, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg. Each
rapper is presented with the question of how they do their work and each
individual gives a different answer to how they write their lyrics and what rap
means to them. Some write their lyrics as a story, others in a systematic way.
What is clear from all of their experiences is that rap is a skill, as you have
to have originality. Most of these rappers write lyrics from their own
experiences in life and, therefore, their raps are very personal to them.
It was made clear that rap came
from the culture in which these people live in, as many of the beats that were
once used to rap against were Jazz records. Rap simply gave a voice to a new
generation and it even crossed the boundaries of colour, which the film beautifully represents with its multicolour scenic shots of the cities lit up at night. Hip Hop became the voice for anyone that needed it. One of the rappers, Common, stated in the film that “the joy and
beauty of being a Hip Hop Artist is that you can truly express who you are and
truly be who you are.” For many of the rappers interviewed in this documentary,
rap helped to save them in one way or another.
This documentary tries to redefine how people think of Hip Hop, as one of the main problems with such an
aggressive form of music seems to be that people do not respect it as an art
form. Thus, this documentary gives the public an opportunity to see how rappers
craft their lyrics and how much history this music is steeped in. However, the
film does not delve very far into the social impact and context of rap which
also means that the interviews, where the same questions are asked each time,
do get slightly repetitive as not much context is given alongside these.
Despite this, the documentary
remains informative and eye opening as it gives rap a soul. It gives people an
opportunity to try and understand the art of rap and hopefully a new found
respect.
Opens in cinemas nationwide on 19 July 2012.
On Thursday 19th July 2012, fans will have the chance to witness an extraordinary moment in hip hop history when Ice-T performs with rap legends Chuck D, Melle Mel and Raekwon for a one-off performance at the Hammersmith Apollo to mark the European Premier of Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap. The event will be simulcast live at cinemas across the UK.
Tickets are available for
purchase via Hammersmith Apollo, HMV Tickets & Ticketmaster:
This Armageddon style rom-com may take a serious tone, rather than a comedic view on the situation, but it is sure to entertain and bring a tear to your eyes....
I am now writing for Horsham Publications, so if you live in Southwater or Horsham don't forget to read the upcoming publication for the latest reviews of Magic Mike and Ice Age 4 from me!
‘Everything will be alright in
the end and if it’s not alright then it is not the end.’
A film by director John Madden
and based on the book by Deborah Moggach, The
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a feel-good, uplifting comedy about making
anything possible by taking risks, facing our fears and celebrating the changes
in life.
This film has an extensive cast
of A list British actors/actresses including Judi Dench as Evelyn a newly
widowed pensioner, Bill Nighly and Penelope Wilton as Douglas and Jean who
endure a crumbling marriage, Celia Imrie and Ronald Pickup as Madge and Norman
who are two singletons, Maggie Smith as Muriel who is a bitter old lady and Tom
Wilkinson as Graham who is a high court judge with a secret and not forgetting
Dev Patel as Sonny who is the charming Hotel owner.
This group of pensioners decide
to retire to India, in particular to the Marigold Hotel which is advertised as
for ‘the elderly and the beautiful’, as they are struggling to find a
comfortable retired life in England and are promised a delightfully picturesque
stay in India. However, when they arrive they find that the Hotel is in worse
shape than they are and they struggle to find a home in the rubbles. Old
relationships seem to unravel as new friendships blossom and the pensioners
adapt to the relaxed way of life, spicy food and the locals.
However, despite being set in Jaipur,
India, the film seems to focus itself inside the Hotel, rather than amongst the
local culture. All that is shown of India are stereotypical images of children
playing cricket, a call centre and the manic busy roads. The culture remains unexplored
as Bill Nighly talks of a fantastic temple that he visited, yet we never see.
Thus, it would seem like this group of pensioners, who as actors/actresses ooze
‘Britishness,’ adapt to life in India but do not actually indulge in the
culture or traditions. Since it is focused on two countries that are intertwined
throughout history, it is a shame that more was not done in the film to bring
together these two cultures. The film feels as though it is trying to represent
the cross cultural relationship between these two countries, but unfortunately
all that has come from this are stereotypes.
Despite this, the film is
enjoyable, if one can overlook these stereotypes. It is a heart-warming and
vibrantly colourful comedy which has some hilariously comic scenes and great performances
throughout. This film has a great cast that pulls the narrative together, even
though it feels like slightly more could have been achieved with their great
talents.
This is a film to watch on one of
those rainy days when you need something to lift your spirits.
