Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Director: Terry George

Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix

Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, houses over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda, Africa.

‘Hotel Rwanda’ is based on the Rwandan genocide which – according to Rwanda – killed around one million people during the 100-day war in 1994. Most of the victims were from the Tutsi ethnic group.

Don Cheadle stars as Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of the four-star Hôtel des Mille Collines in Rwanda. He is of the Hutu ethnic group, while is wife Tatiana is Tutsi. When the President – being Huto – was killed by Tutsi extremists, this resulted in the start of the genocide the very next day. In an instant, Paul’s life was turned into a nightmare. With Tutsis being killed, Paul had to do everything in his power to save his family.

With the hotel guests having been evacuated, Paul soon had his hands full with Tutsi civilians looking for refuge at the hotel. The rest of the film sees Paul pleading for help from the United Nations, the Red Cross, and military officials. Fearing time is running out before all hell breaks out at the hotel, the film also becomes a nail-biting race against time.

Don Cheadle delivered a fantastic performance as Paul. ‘Hotel Rwanda’ is a very well made film, but it can be depressing – even more depressing because this is based on fact, and so many innocent people lost their lives in such a short space of time.

‘Hotel Rwanda’ received 65 award nominations, winning 16. It also received Oscar nominations for Best Lead Actor (well deserved for Don Cheadle!), Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay.

Would I watch it again? No. Too depressing.

Das Boot (1981)

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Starring: Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann

A German U-boat stalks the frigid waters of the North Atlantic as its young crew experience the sheer terror and claustrophobic life of a submariner in World War II.

One thing you have to know going into ‘Das Boot’ is that it is more of a character study drama than an action movie. The film revolves around 50 men in the confines of a submarine. Hitler is sending U-boats (submarines) hoping to blockade and starve out Britain. Despite the fact battle for control of the Atlantic is turning against Germany, more U-boats are sent.

With the men bored waiting for action, so is the viewer – or me, at least. Although it wasn’t entirely boring and we got to know the crew, I did find the film far too slow paced (from an entertainment perspective). The action only really starts at the 50-minute mark. Only, torpedoes are fired and we hear explosions, but nothing is shown on screen. This is going to be a major issue for the new generation audience who would definitely prefer to see the action, and not envision it. (The current generation already have a short attention span as it is, so with the film being so long and slow I doubt it will appeal to future generations).

It’s a fact, ‘Das Boot’ is probably one of the best and most realistic submarine movies ever made. I know I’m in the minority here and crucify me if you will, but this movie does not rate among my favourites. I found this to be a fairly boring movie with a few good action and tense scenes scattered throughout. The best moments by far were the third act when the crew found themselves in a desperate situation fighting for their lives. Here, Chief Engineer Fritz Grade (Klaus Wennemann) rose to the occasion by becoming the film’s hero (and not our main protagonist Capt. Henrich Lehmann-Willenbrock (Jürgen Prochnow).

Interestingly, all hell broke loose during the film’s final 10 minutes – when I thought it was all over – with an event I wasn’t expecting. This was a really awesome scene! If the film was a bit shorter, it would have been faster paced and I would have enjoyed it more. This is nevertheless a very well made film and no doubt submarine enthusiasts will love it.

‘Das Boot’ received Oscar nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Editing, and Best Sound Effects Editing.

In German.

Would I watch it again? No.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

Director: Mark Herman

Starring: Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend

Through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a German concentration camp, a forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences.

‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ (sometimes spelt Pyjamas) is a disturbing war movie told from the perspective of an 8-year old boy, Bruno (Asa Butterfield). When his father is promoted, they move to the countryside where they live near a concentration camp. Bruno believes the camp to be a farm, and the slave, Pavel, working for them to be a farmer. (Before the war, Pavel was studying to be a doctor.)

Bored and longing for friends, Bruno befriends an 8-year old Jewish boy, Shmuel, in the camp. He visits regularly – one boy a prisoner and the other one free, with a fence separating them. The film so well illustrates the innocent and naïve nature of children. Not realizing Shmuel is actually a prisoner, Bruno envies him for having friends to play with. Bruno doesn’t understand the horrors of war.

German children are brainwashed with derogative teachings about Jews, but for Bruno there is no divide between them. ‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ is sad and disturbing in so many different ways. This is a very well scripted film with fantastic performances. Asa Butterfield in particular was excellent as Bruno. Prepare yourself for a shocking finale!

‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ earned $44.1 million on a budget of $12.5 million. The film won several awards including Best Actress and Best Film.

Would I watch it again? Yes.

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer

Starring: Maria Falconetti, Eugene Silvain, André Berley

In 1431, Jeanne d’Arc is placed on trial on charges of heresy. The ecclesiastical jurists attempt to force Jeanne to recant her claims of holy visions.

With the story of Joan of Arc containing so much information, I believe the film would have benefited from being a talkie instead of a silent film. As a result, there are more inter-titles here than I’ve seen in any other silent film. This is a difficult story to tell without dialogue, since Joan’s confession and testimony ultimately determined her fate.

Jeanne D’Arc was not the Joan in helmet and armor, but simple and human. She was a young woman of nineteen who was deeply religious and believed she was sent by God to save France. Claiming to have seen visions and being told by God to wear men’s clothing until she has fulfilled her task, she was charged with heresy and condemned to death.

In a time when people had limited knowledge and understanding of the world, the universe and the unknown, women – especially – were easily judged and accused of witchcraft. Thousands were burnt at the stake by the Church “in the name of God”. To this day, the Church never apologized for all those innocent deaths, but that’s a debate for another platform.

Since we know Joan’s fate, there is no surprises how the film will end, but the journey to the finale is interesting, and I thought Maria Falconetti did a great job as Joan. She managed to convey so much emotion with her eyes. It’s a pity she never pursued film acting, especially since she won a Best Performance award.

Joan was attacked by theologians and experienced lawyers, and was being mocked while being trialed. The film’s last moments are far more intense than I could have imagined for a film of 1928, and it must have been very disturbing at the time of release. ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ is a depressing film, but nevertheless very well made, and a good film.

The photography and cinematography felt ahead of its time. Had you told me the movie was made in the 60’s I’d have believed it. The film also has a hauntingly beautiful score.

In 1999 ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ was nominated as Best Film of the Century.

French silent film.

Would I watch it again? I somehow don’t think so.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Director: Ingmar Bergman

Starring: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot

A knight returning to Sweden after the Crusades seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague.

Hailed as a masterpiece, I failed to get into ‘The Seventh Seal’. For such a short movie, there were too many characters and I didn’t understand why some of them were there or how they contributed to the film.

When Death comes for knight Antonius Block, Antonius suggests they play a game of chess. Whilst playing, Antonius shall be kept alive, and if he wins, his life is to be spared. Death allows Antonius to go on his way to do a good deed.

Antonius’ squire, Jöns, travels with Antonius. We meet quite a few people on their journey. There are the travelling entertainers Jof and Mia, and their manager Jonas. There’s a young girl whom Jöns saves from being raped. He insists she travel with him, because he will be needing her when he gets home; hoping his wife would be dead by the time he gets home (!). Then there’s a drunk guy named Plog who is looking for his wife Lisa. And all along the way, Death and Antonius keep playing chess.

There’s constant talk of death and the plague, blasphemy and mockery, and the belief of Judgment Day being upon humanity. I found all the talking too much, and actually quite boring. In addition to this, I also found the performances far too theatrical for a film, complete with monologues.

The final 20 minutes made the most sense, and were the most watchable. The film then ends on a thought-provoking note. Unfortunately this was still not enough to redeem the film for me and I will remember ‘The Seventh Seal’ as a boring film which didn’t interest me, ‘masterpiece’ or not.

‘The Seventh Seal’ won awards for Best Foreign Film, Best Foreign Director, Best Foreign Performer, and Best Film.

In Swedish and Latin.

Would I watch it again? No.