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Reviews
Rój (2023)
Be Careful What You Ask For
Meant to provoke reflection on the meaning of freedom, this film is well photographed (if a little too dark), but comes across as a Polish take on mysogyny. When the son does an about face on his rebellion against his father, I lost my suspension of disbelief. The boy seemed to turn to tyranny just for the thrill of being in charge.
There are a lot of problematic practical details (Where did they get the inexhaustible supply of candles? What did they eat? How did they keep the gasoline dry in that climate? How could there be giant elk and wolves on this tiny island?)
In the end, it did provoke some thought about the nature of freedom - and I thought the performance by Roma Gasiorowska was outstanding. But the male characters are not attractive people.
Un Franco 14 Pesetas (2006)
Great story and great theme
The theme is so subtly developed, one doesn't realize it's really about the emigrant experience until almost the end. For most of the film, it's 'just' a story, and a great one. Everything is cleverly subtle. For example, the protagonist doesn't come from misery and extreme poverty, nor is he poorly educated (all characteristics of the stereotypical emigrant). He's not fleeing from political oppression (at least overtly). He's just trying to get ahead.
It's rare to see emigration from the point of view of the emigrant. This film could be required viewing in the U.S. before making disparaging remarks about immigrants.
It is also always a pleasure to see an entire film where adolescent angst plays no part.