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Munyurangabo
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rilina's write up
As Rilina notes, this is a film set in Rwanda, in Kinyarwanda, with Rwandan people in front of the camera and frequently behind as well, directed by a Korean-American guy.
Two best friends (Sangwa and Ngabo) leave Kigali on a journey; for what, we don't know. On their way, they stop by Sangwa's home. Sangwa has been away for 3 years, and the reunion with his parents is somewhat rocky, especially as Ngabo is Tutsi and Sangwa's family is Hutu.
This is the director's first film, done on an extremely low budget around two weeks. As such, I think some of the story structure could be tighter, particularly the switch in POV near the end of the movie. Other sites have compared the technique to Ozu. Sadly, I am horrifically uncultured, because as with Ozu, I may have briefly nodded off a few times. That said, I loved the sounds of the movie. I am guessing Chung didn't have time to do much sound editing, and I loved hearing water trickling into giant plastic containers, a spoon hitting a plate, mud slapping against a wall. It scratches the same itch that listening to typing on a keyboard or high heels down a hall do for me. (This may be extremely idiosyncratic!)
On the other hand, I very much like the portrayal of family in the movie. It's a story structure that's very familiar to me, and I hope that familiarity grounds the "exotic" setting for other viewers. You can very much tell that the director is going for everyday life and trying very hard not to make things "exotic." I also like that the history of genocide is always there, but it's also very much in the background. It is not a problem movie about OPPRESSION and WOE.
Also, near the end, the national poet of Rwanda Edouard B. Uwayo (who I think produced some of the movie as well) recites a poem for several minutes, and I know no Kinyarwanda, but oh, it is gorgeous. The rhythms of the language and the alliteration and everything, just gorgeous.
Also also, I love the animal stories. It was a little odd, because I think onlyrilina and I were laughing at them, but the chicken! Sheep!
On a note that doesn't involve the movie itself, I'm also glad that Chung started the film not for himself, but as a means to teach a class on filming, and I smiled at the mix of Asian and Rwandan names in the credits.
rilina's write upAs Rilina notes, this is a film set in Rwanda, in Kinyarwanda, with Rwandan people in front of the camera and frequently behind as well, directed by a Korean-American guy.
Two best friends (Sangwa and Ngabo) leave Kigali on a journey; for what, we don't know. On their way, they stop by Sangwa's home. Sangwa has been away for 3 years, and the reunion with his parents is somewhat rocky, especially as Ngabo is Tutsi and Sangwa's family is Hutu.
This is the director's first film, done on an extremely low budget around two weeks. As such, I think some of the story structure could be tighter, particularly the switch in POV near the end of the movie. Other sites have compared the technique to Ozu. Sadly, I am horrifically uncultured, because as with Ozu, I may have briefly nodded off a few times. That said, I loved the sounds of the movie. I am guessing Chung didn't have time to do much sound editing, and I loved hearing water trickling into giant plastic containers, a spoon hitting a plate, mud slapping against a wall. It scratches the same itch that listening to typing on a keyboard or high heels down a hall do for me. (This may be extremely idiosyncratic!)
On the other hand, I very much like the portrayal of family in the movie. It's a story structure that's very familiar to me, and I hope that familiarity grounds the "exotic" setting for other viewers. You can very much tell that the director is going for everyday life and trying very hard not to make things "exotic." I also like that the history of genocide is always there, but it's also very much in the background. It is not a problem movie about OPPRESSION and WOE.
Also, near the end, the national poet of Rwanda Edouard B. Uwayo (who I think produced some of the movie as well) recites a poem for several minutes, and I know no Kinyarwanda, but oh, it is gorgeous. The rhythms of the language and the alliteration and everything, just gorgeous.
Also also, I love the animal stories. It was a little odd, because I think only
rilina and I were laughing at them, but the chicken! Sheep!On a note that doesn't involve the movie itself, I'm also glad that Chung started the film not for himself, but as a means to teach a class on filming, and I smiled at the mix of Asian and Rwandan names in the credits.