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marjorie-25
Reviews
Die weiße Massai (2005)
I didn't expect to like this movie...but I did.
As a (white) woman who was once involved with an African man, I'm always a bit skeptical of these "Jungle Fever"-like movies. I was very pleased to discover there isn't a huge emphasis on titillation. The director could've easily made it more salacious. Interracial couples are more than just their contrasting skin colours or fodder for the sexual fantasies of others.
I wasn't surprised by this woman's difficulties in the small, remote, Kenyan village. One could predict she'd face all those obstacles, and more.
I was surprised by how many of the reviews suggest her problems were her "fault" or that there is ANY "reason" for the husband's actions. No matter what the nationality of my various, past boyfriends and current husband, none of them would ever conduct themselves like that towards me (and live to tell about it) (wink), nor would they desire to do so. My African boyfriend was a model of civility and respect for women. Indeed, every man I've been involved with has been the embodiment of the term "integrity". Men who behave in insulting, unjust, much less violent, ways towards women (or anyone, really) aren't worthy of my consideration.
It's not that I don't "get" why the dynamics between the two lead characters causes some conflict within the framework of the society in which they live. It's just that, at some point, some things are just right or wrong. Making false accusations, especially against someone you profess to love, is unconscionable. There is no excuse for his behaviour. Comparing his outrageous behaviour to her naiveté is ludicrous! This man, like soooooooooooo many around the world (it seems), is so infantile and weak, he feels he must brutalize a woman to make himself feel better. ...Pathetic.
Still, I generally liked Lemalian (Jacky Ido), until he fell from grace. I was surprised by Carola's decision not to adopt more of the local customs, as well as her ultimate decision, at which point the movie ends. I could still see ways the two could work beyond their cultural differences, especially since both had so generously tried to understand the other's point of view.
In all honesty, I found the couple's attire differences to be jarring, especially in more urban settings. I fully expected one or the other to start dressing more alike. With the very traditional Masai garb juxtaposed against modern women's clothing, I surprised myself with how much I noticed this contrast, throughout the film.
In all, I enjoyed this movie most because it is alleged to be a true story. I think it wouldn't be either as believable or engaging, if it were fictitious. I would recommend it as a video rental for an easy-going Sunday afternoon.
Black Christmas (1974)
A bit of trivia
For you fans of "Black Christmas", take note of a bit of trivia that might have gone unnoticed.
In the scene where the park is being searched, dogs are brought in to assist. What may not be so obvious is that the filmmakers apparently couldn't find any suitable Bloodhounds in the Toronto area, so they somehow found their way to my friend's father, who used to raise Black & Tan Coonhounds.
Because the dogs actually get a fair bit of screen time in that scene, you can see they're not actually Bloodhounds doing the search. They're my friend's Black & Tan Coonhounds.
Just a quirky detail.
Bon Cop, Bad Cop (2006)
Not "bon" at all.
I appreciate the effort to make more polished Canadian blockbuster movies, and even bilingual movies, I suppose. But I just finished watching "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" and I was thoroughly disappointed.
The thing that got me the most was the constant antagonism towards Ontario and all things English. As an Ontarian, heck, even a Torontonian, I must point out this is all very one-sided.
I liken it to the relationship the U.S. has with the rest of the world...just as a generalization.
Sure, Americans aren't exactly known for being especially knowledgeable or concerned about the rest of the world. But I've never had the feeling that Americans hated the rest of the world. They just don't care, in general.
By the same token, Ontarians (especially Torontonians) don't know or care much about everyone else in Canada (again, just a generalization), but we certainly don't despise them. (I can honestly say I've never heard any Torontonian say, "I hate -insert other Canadian city or province here-.") But the same can't be said about the director's obvious view of how he believes (or the writers believe) everyone else feels about Ontarians (or Torontonians).
It's really pathetic. Any group that defines itself by who it hates or who it decides it's better than, doesn't have much going for it.
The movie "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" plays this hostility towards Ontarians to the hilt, in a way that is totally foreign to me, as a Torontonian. It not only didn't ring true. It was comical, and lame.
There were other aspects of the movie that were very good, but the constant "we hate Ontario" refrain grew tiresome.
To be honest, I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone, specifically because of this 'bordering-on-racist' aspect. ...Or is that 'province-ist' or 'English-ist'..? ...Which is a shame, because it was really trying to be a good movie, otherwise.
If this Ontario/Toronto/English hatred is really an issue for some Canadians, they really need to get over it. The rest of us have moved on, and would like to watch some good movies.