This special edition of Curt’s Corner is dedicated to the recent influx of Africa related films that have recently been released. All these stories are true, or take place during actual events.
Catch
a Fire
(Release
date: Oct. 27th, 2006)
This is the true story of an
honest-working black man in South Africa, who was falsely accused of committing
acts of terrorism during the white-controlled Apartheid government in the
1970’s. Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher,
Glory Road) stars in the lead role of Patrick
Chamusso. I won’t divulge what happens
next – you’ll have to watch the movie. But, his reactions and behaviors are
both understandable and courageous.
Tim Robbins costars as the creepy
South African Security Colonel NicVos, and delivers a strong and convincing
performance, as we have come to always expect.
The story is interesting,
sympathetic, compassionate and uplifting. I recommend you watch it when it
comes out on DVD. I give it 2 ½ bones for being above average.
The
Last King of Scotland
(Release
date: Sept. 1st, 2006)
This is the true story of Ugandan president and dictator Idi Amin (circa 1970’s). It is also the true story of a young Scottish doctor that Amin takes a liking to, and keeps (against his will) as his own personal doctor and advisor. Therefore, the story line is from the doctor’s point of view. This is interesting because the doctor (Nicholas Garrigan) was very close to Amin and was in a position to observe the madman quite well. Plus, he is probably the only person left on earth with such knowledge, and memories of that turbulent time. And who better than he to share it with the western world – a Scotsman!
The story alone is worth the read. To see it on the big screen is a special treat. But, what makes this film such a treasure is the lead acting performance Forest Whitaker, as Idi Amin. He nailed it. I fully expect him to be nominated for a best-actor Oscar.
By the way – did you ever wonder why Idi Amin and his army always wore Scottish tams while in uniform? I always did. Heck, they even wore kilts while in ceremonial dress! When I was a teenager I would see these guys on the TV news and I never understood it. Well, it turns out that Idi Amin was raised in England. His father was some sort of servant. He always admired the Scots because of how they fought the English for their independence and won! Therefore, by employing the Scottish garb, he is in fact, thumbing his nose at the English and their capacity to stick their nose in Ugandan affairs. This is why he took such a liking to Nicholas Garrigan, and why he called himself the last king of Scotland.
Idi Amin died in exile, in Egypt, in 1998. He was a murderous and evil madman who suffered from paranoia, and caused the deaths of thousands of Ugandans. I very much enjoyed watching Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of him. I give this film 3 ½ bones for being very good.
Blood
Diamond
(Release
date: Dec. 8th, 2006)
This film is set in the tiny
fourth-world country of Sierra Leone, which is located on the west coast of
Africa. Sierra Leone is host to a healthy supply of diamonds and diamond mining
fields. In the mid 1990’s a junta group, calling themselves the Revolutionary
United Front (RUF), tried to overthrow the existing and feeble government for
the sake of controlling the diamond trade. During this process, the RUF
committed a vast number of inhumane atrocities and displaced a third of the
Sierra Leone population (about two million people). Diamonds were being smuggled
out of the country, and into neighboring lands (Liberia), before continuing
their journey to the international diamond traders and jewelers in Western
Europe (De Beers, et al). This civil war went on for 11 years before it was
brought under control by the peacekeeping forces of neighboring Nigeria and the
U.N. Most of the RUF troops were given amnesty as part of the peace agreement,
but the planners, high ranking commanders and leaders of the RUF have all been
indicted for crimes against humanity.
This is where the term blood
diamond or conflict stone has
originated from. The international diamond community recognized, on their own,
that huge numbers of diamonds were being smuggled out of Sierra Leone and The
Ivory Coast illegally, and at a very high price. A special interest group
initiated what came to be known as the Kimberly Process, which is a self imposed
regulatory system that most of the wealthy nations in the world have agreed to. Kimberly
is a documentation system that tracks where a diamond is harvested and
everywhere it has been, in hopes of deterring any future smuggling and violent
government coups in Africa. It also is aimed at maintaining the good standing of
the diamond industry while avoiding any negative feelings usually associated
with sweatshop manufacturing.
This concludes my brief lesson on
international affairs.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and
Jennifer Connelly. It is a fictional story set in a non-fictional environment
and does a very good job of depicting the awful violence and hardship that the
poor people of Sierra Leone have had to endure. Also, it is a good reflection of
the political corruption and greed that strives to strip the African landscape
of its wealth, which will ultimately leave its inhabitants with nothing.
The story is interesting and strong.
I still have a hard time accepting Leonardo in a tough guy role, but he did an
admirable job. Also, the script was not watered down (too much) with a bogus
love story just for the sake making it somewhat of a feel
good movie. I give this film 3 ½
bones for being very good.
Note: Here is another Africa-related film that
came out in December of 2004. I included it in this column as a repeat because
it is one of my favorite films and deserves mentioning in this issue.
Hotel
Rwanda
(Release
date: Dec. 22, 2004)
This film follows the true story of
the genocide that took place in Rwanda during the summer of 1994. It’s a very
powerful film, that’s very well acted. I believe it is much more deserving of
a best picture nomination than Sideways. It is, however, nominated in
three categories to include best actor (Don Cheadle). And yes, he deserves it.
Everyone should see this movie, at least for the world affairs lesson. There is
still civil unrest going on in that country, and it would help to understand
some of the history. Ten years after the big genocide, the country is still
rebuilding, and tribunals are still being convened for those accused of crimes
against humanity. Imagine watching Schindler’s List with the holocaust
being only ten years old. I award this film four bones,
and highly recommend you see it.