MUBI

This movie from start to finish is all in the details. And Sissako gets it so right. If you read the film synopsis on IMDB or something, you may get the wrong impression. Yes it’s about a trial between Africans and the World Bank, but it is really more than just a political film. The movie is equally concerned with people watching, and even indulges on that at points. But there is an obvious love for the people being filmed here (and also, a lot of humor), and this gives the movie a warmth that is really important. Because of that attention to the individual’s uniqueness, there is an openness about the politics being discussed… arguments are never presented as absolutes, but as unique perspectives—personal ones. Sissako uses the frame masterfully, there are about 10 stories being told at the same time in every shot, in the background, in the foreground, with the sound coming from the courtyard, etc. And not all the stories are “stories” like you would traditionally see them, but little snippets of life that you will never completely see the beginning middle and end of, but you still feel lucky that it was here, and that it makes sense on a very gut level. Sissako’s composition is up there with the best of them, in fact if this film is any indication of his talent and vision in every aspect of filmmaking, then he is among the very best filmmakers EVER. I guess I should stop with this gushing review now, let me just say I am very excited to seek out and watch the rest of this guy’s ouvre and I think you all should do the same.