Timbuktu is a well-made French co-production about the ancient city of Timbuktu, set in modern times. The relationship between the characters, particularly the family, is very strong in the film, and it works because of that. At the same time, the film is not especially engaging and it does include some brutal scenes. Overall, I'd say it's a mixed bag, even if I do admire what it's trying to do.
The film follows the people of Timbuktu who are powerless against Jihadists who want to control their fate. Many forms of different entertainment have been banned by these oppressors: music, laughter, and soccer, among others. The women are especially powerless, but they still manage to have some resistance against the evil leadership, and try to be independent, despite the laws imposed on them. Although the film has some other minor stories, it's essentially about a family led by a cattle herder named Kidane, his wife, Satima, their daughter Toya, and a twelve-year old shepherd named Issan.
What I liked about Timbuktu was the relationship between the father, his wife, and their daughter. Each of these three characters feel realistic, especially given the setting of the film. Neither Kidane nor Satima are particularly hard on their daughter, Toya, but they still expect much out of her. So when she gets into trouble in the film, Kidane is not proud. I especially liked the scene where Satima is telling Kidane that she's wants to leave the country, and Kidane reminds her how utterly pointless that idea really is. It's a strongly acted scene that helps to give more development to these already realistic characters.
The opening of this film, a five minute sequence that features no sound, is of the Malian men hunting a deer and doing other hard jobs near their city. It's a nice sequence that helps to give the audience an idea of what the film their watching will be like. Another sequence I liked that included a musical score, involved a group of African people playing soccer, until they are caught by some of the members of the Jihadists. Another sequence I liked involved a local man walking through a small river where the camera is set up a large distance in front of him, an interesting choice of direction, especially given what the scene is about. This film doesn't shy away from the violence of the country. Whippings, rocks being thrown at people's heads and other violent acts are shown in the film, making it more realistic.
However, for as much as I might praise the movie, there were a number of things there were other sequences that did not work for me, for example, when the African is getting interrogated for illegal playing soccer in the city, it just didn't seem to go anywhere afterwards, and the character is quickly dropped. Also, the sequence where a cow is killed by a fisherman, although interesting, is seemed to last too long, as the camera cuts closer and closer to the cow as it is dying. Timbuktu is a well-made movie, but some people might find the film hard to sit through, given that there are a few disturbing scenes. I, however, found it to be tame compared to other violent movies. It's a well-meaning picture, that isn't especially fascinating or entertaining, but you may find it enjoyable.
The film follows the people of Timbuktu who are powerless against Jihadists who want to control their fate. Many forms of different entertainment have been banned by these oppressors: music, laughter, and soccer, among others. The women are especially powerless, but they still manage to have some resistance against the evil leadership, and try to be independent, despite the laws imposed on them. Although the film has some other minor stories, it's essentially about a family led by a cattle herder named Kidane, his wife, Satima, their daughter Toya, and a twelve-year old shepherd named Issan.
What I liked about Timbuktu was the relationship between the father, his wife, and their daughter. Each of these three characters feel realistic, especially given the setting of the film. Neither Kidane nor Satima are particularly hard on their daughter, Toya, but they still expect much out of her. So when she gets into trouble in the film, Kidane is not proud. I especially liked the scene where Satima is telling Kidane that she's wants to leave the country, and Kidane reminds her how utterly pointless that idea really is. It's a strongly acted scene that helps to give more development to these already realistic characters.
The opening of this film, a five minute sequence that features no sound, is of the Malian men hunting a deer and doing other hard jobs near their city. It's a nice sequence that helps to give the audience an idea of what the film their watching will be like. Another sequence I liked that included a musical score, involved a group of African people playing soccer, until they are caught by some of the members of the Jihadists. Another sequence I liked involved a local man walking through a small river where the camera is set up a large distance in front of him, an interesting choice of direction, especially given what the scene is about. This film doesn't shy away from the violence of the country. Whippings, rocks being thrown at people's heads and other violent acts are shown in the film, making it more realistic.
However, for as much as I might praise the movie, there were a number of things there were other sequences that did not work for me, for example, when the African is getting interrogated for illegal playing soccer in the city, it just didn't seem to go anywhere afterwards, and the character is quickly dropped. Also, the sequence where a cow is killed by a fisherman, although interesting, is seemed to last too long, as the camera cuts closer and closer to the cow as it is dying. Timbuktu is a well-made movie, but some people might find the film hard to sit through, given that there are a few disturbing scenes. I, however, found it to be tame compared to other violent movies. It's a well-meaning picture, that isn't especially fascinating or entertaining, but you may find it enjoyable.