Underconstruction

Hello fellow friends,

This post is simply to inform you that once again I am switching up the format. To be brutally honest, I am still learning how to make this blog work best for you and me. I want to learn new things but for that to happen I need your help as well. I want this blog to be place to share different ideas, opinions and techniques. I do not want to talk at you but to talk with you. Please give me feedback so I can get better as well. So anyways back to the format, I will share little bit of my life and experience to have a connection to the film. There are some films that I select that either I experienced or know a little bit of it. This blog mean so much to me and I promise I will try to keep at it even after graduation. In that note I will share a little bit of personal information to show you I want to put myself out there.

A little bio of Diana Gonzalez. I am Salvadorean and American. I have two languages that I am trying to be fluent in and on top of that learn French little by little. I lived in New York, California and now Missouri. I still visit New York and California when time and money permits. My three loves are music, film and traveling. I want to break free from stereotypes and assumptions through my knowledge in different concentrations. I have various dreams and goals, but one goal I would like to achieve would be to create a film. However, I first need to understand the industry and practice recording. So I hope this little tidbit of my life can create a closer connection with you guys.

P.S.
I will give you a hint about the next film. "When people move apart from each other, what is that called?"

In This World

When you think about immigration, is it only dealing with United States?  Do you think Hispanics are the only ones to migrate? Immigration is an issue that every country deals with it. However, I am not here to discuss about my view on immigration but knowing what people go through the journey can be a revelation. It is a dangerous journey to take that people share, no matter what ethnicity they are or their destination. There are many sources discussing the issue of immigration but not about the sacrifices, risks or the reasons for it. There are endless stories of people who are abuse physically and mentally. Understanding the journey can give you another perspective on the issue. 

 

In This World is about a teenager’s journey from Shamshatoo Refugee Camp to London. Along with his cousin, Jamal (protagonist) and Enayat (cousin) go through an extensive process of smuggling through countries to arrive at their destination. During the journey, they meet new people and discover new cultures. At the end, the journey was not for the weak and some were lost in chase of a fresh start. 

My critique on the film is very simple. I was recommended to watch this film because of the editing technique and narrative. At first, it seems like a third-person narrative documentary about the community and then focus on the teenager. The narrative changes when the focus is on Jamal and Enayat. I got the feel that I was with them on their journey, not understanding another language, witnessing how they slept from one place to another, and experiencing anxiety for them. I believe that both director Michael Winterbottom and writer Tony Grison did a phenomenal job on creating a film to experience what their characters went through. It is not Hollywood material, but it is an ordinary story of ordinary people wanting a better life. That is what film is about, relating to the audience on a personal level. 

 

C'est La Vie

For my first post, I would like to switch it up a little. When we think about France, we think about their arts, music, and cuisine and of course history. However, we do not think about social issues in the country. Organized crime is prominent in every country but we do not talk about it because they are underground. The first thing that pops in my head when I hear organized crime is of course the mafia and Hollywood has done a magnificent job of creating a franchise of it. On a serious note, organized crimes have globalized because of technology and economic struggles in other countries. In my opinion, organized crime is interesting because it has to do with economics, strategies and enforcement. The key word is organized which means, these groups are not reckless and instead caution and strategic.

Un Prophete is about a young Arabic, Malik El Djebena who is place in prison to serve six years. He stays to himself until the head of Corsican thug; Cesar Luciani gives him an ultimatum: kill an Arab inmate or he dies. As Malik serves his years, he also learns the way of the organized crime. I do not want ruin the rest of the film but I do recommend it if you like The Godfather, Goodfella and other crime drama films. Here's a clip to give you a little taste of the film.

 

Now here is the best part of this post. Critique Time! Monsieur Jacques Audiard directed the film and released in 2010. Audiard’s works recognized for strong lead performances and crime films. Reading his biography, I learned that he had the talent of screenwriting and directing because he entered in the film industry young and his father was a screenwriter. As to my critique about the film, I absolutely enjoyed it. Audiard’s vision of a rookie learning the ways of the crime was intriguing. Malik started not knowing how to write or read and ended up knowing the business of the trade. This gangster film is not naive in any way. Matter of fact, Malik’s character has many layers and he learns to use them to learn the ways. .