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Post by cbjfan61 on Apr 29, 2009 8:01:57 GMT -5
Has anyone seen this film?
I watched this film recently and thought it was amazing! I was so happy to know that name of the city that is near where the genocide takes place Kigali for once my job actually came in handy while watching this film.
Granted Nicola is not in it very much but she did bring a lot to her part for her character. Still my favorite moment with her character is when she is telling Hugh Dancy's character to look away from the person who is getting killed.
Over all the film is well shot with the use of steady cam and non-steady cam to blend between a documentary feel and reminding you that it is a movie, cinematography had a great blend to it.(starting to forget my tech. terms not good) The acting was really good over all it gave it more of documentary feel to it. Which made it more of this is real, this did happen.
I recommend watching this film. It really makes you look deep into the soul of the characters as they struggle with their faith, surroundings, the love for the people, and what they see with their personal future.Though you might want to watch something happy after it. Unlike me who watched White Angel (a Peter Firth film about a serial killer) and then this film. A little intense for one night.
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Post by strawberry on Aug 7, 2009 12:03:37 GMT -5
I watched this recently while away on a genocide education trip in Rwanda and we actually visited the site where it is based and filmed.
I have to say it is one of the more realistic accounts of what happened, although obviously it does have the slight Hollywood touch. While not all of what happened happened at that place, it's fair to say it happened somewhere in Rwanda in 1994. The only real change was that there were no white men at the school, nor were the BBC there. But of course, how are the English speaking public supposed to relate to a film without a nice shiny white man in it? *grumble grumble grumble*
What makes this film such a brilliant depiction of what happened is the way it shows scenes such as the roadblock - this is incredibly harrowing and is so far the best example I've seen of how neighbours really did turn on each other.
The scene in which the UN drive away is also real - the genocidaires were through the gates before the UN vehicles were out of sight. That is something to bear in mind.
In terms of Nicola Walker's part in the film, I thought she was brilliant, and possibly the character I empathised with most. She certainly wasn't a hero in any sense of the word, but I can't say I wouldn't feel exactly the same way in that situation. In that way, the characters are particularly real I felt.
She also cheered the film up slightly for me for a moment - I didn't know she was in it, so it was a nice surprise! (One that I kept to myself - I didn't know the group well at this point so to go "OMG IT'S RUTH!!!1!11!" would possibly be a bit much...)
It's definately worth a watch, particularly if you're interested in what happened in 1994. Obviously you can't take it as a factual account of events at the school, but it is certainly a good example of the absolutely horror and tragedy of what happened throughout Rwanda.
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Post by dcspook on Sept 14, 2009 13:28:25 GMT -5
Well put, Strawberry -
I spent part of my weekend watching this film - and I'm still trying to find the words to properly express myself. Perhaps there aren't any. Historical inaccuracies aside, I thought there were some truly poignant quotes and situations presented.
The point that really got to me was the credits - when we discover that many of the crew and extras of the film are survivors. How brave of them to face the reality of what happened, how generous of spirit for those of us thousands of miles away, and what a way to honor those they have lost.
It's been several days since I've seen the film and I'm still processing - and will continue to do so.
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Post by philippa on Apr 28, 2010 4:41:48 GMT -5
I've only just finished watching this, and I, too, am still processing everything I've just seen. I am familiar with the history of the genocide in Rwanda, but not in detail. Of course we cannot base our knowledge on this film, but it does give you a better insight of the situation and the conflicts that were there at the time, even if it's historically incorrect at times.
Nicola's role may not have been that big, but she was on screen longer than I would've expected, and I thought her acting was superb as always. Her character wasn't heroic, nor did she try to pretend that she was. And to me as well, her most powerful scene was when she told Joe not to look at the people who are being killed.
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fragglebo
Full Member = Zoe
[F4:fragglebo]
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Post by fragglebo on Dec 29, 2010 4:28:06 GMT -5
I enjoyed seeing Nicola in this film. There were some really powerful scenes, like the scene where she told the guy not to look at the people who were being killed. I probably wouldn't have watched this film if Nicola hadn't been in it but I found it interesting to 'learn' some more about what happened. It opened my eyes a little bit.
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Post by xruthx on Dec 29, 2010 7:30:54 GMT -5
Any ideas of how I can watch this being an Australian?
From what you guys have said the film sounds similar to the Australian mini series Answered by Fire on East Timor where East Timorese refugees were used as actors. Same story. The UN leaves and the East Timorese are terrorised, raped and murered. Seeings as Answered by Fire remains the most poignant and disturbing yet brilliant Australian drama I have ever seen, this sounds worth checking out.
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fragglebo
Full Member = Zoe
[F4:fragglebo]
Posts: 82
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Post by fragglebo on Dec 29, 2010 7:37:50 GMT -5
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Post by cbjfan61 on Dec 29, 2010 8:24:29 GMT -5
For those in the states this is available thro Netflix to rent called Beyond the Gates.
Love this film for filming hands down! So beautifully shot really it is. What is crazy I read in an interview by Michael Caton-Jones he said they had a 2million budget so he had to film it as if it were on a bigger budget. Brilliant!!!
I should watch this again I agree with everyone and my original post Nicola's scene with Hugh Dancy is just raw. It takes one to a place of fear, and some strength not for them but for what is going on to see the reality unfold. "Look away!" Nicola's character is trying to bring some sort of strength/courage in such a horrible situation.
xRuthx it might be called something different for the Aussie release look it up.
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Post by philippa on Dec 29, 2010 9:02:19 GMT -5
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Post by xruthx on Dec 29, 2010 16:28:59 GMT -5
Thanks just did an enormous search and I think I can order it through my local JBHIFI store. I'll go ask the next time I'm near there  |
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Post by cbjfan61 on Dec 29, 2010 18:53:37 GMT -5
Just in case if anyone is wondering or paid attention during s9 the director Michael also directed eps 2&3. Which I loved his eps for many little things. Anyway just a bit of trivia for you all.
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Post by richliga on Aug 10, 2011 7:33:17 GMT -5
I saw this movie for a couple of month ago. At that point I had seen Nicola only in Spooks and had no idea she was in this movie. I was amazed, have always loved her as Ruth (i guess she is my fav spooks character, sorry Harry... its tough choice there) but it was really fun to see that she is brilliant actress in general. Liked how her character was sort of motherly all through the story and how she was caring for what happens over there but at the same time she was distant because of the fact that she cannot change it.
Agree with cbjfan61 for the best NW moment in the movie- asking Jo to look away from the man who gets killed.
Well great movie, NW fans or not, I recommend it to everybody!
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