Hi everyone!
Welcome back for another Certified Fresh review, and we’re welcoming back Keith Lyons to the podcast. We’re lucky to have him back amidst his busy schedule of movie viewings with a review for a very highly rated film from six different film scenes. He’ll be up in a minute with his thoughts, but for a few other reviews from Keith, check out “The Legend of Cocaine Island” (Episode #486), “Shéhérazade” (Episode #499), and “Maria” (Episode #514).
Before the review, we’ll have a promo from the Ocho Duro Parlay Hour. They’ve been giving us mad love on social media the past week, and we wanted to return the favor. Check out their recent episodes discussing NFL Preseason Drama, UFC 241, the end of Legion, and other mutant news! You can find them on Twitter and Instagram @ODParlayHour and on Facebook @ochoduroparlayhour. Warning: Massive amounts of awesome content!
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Here we go!
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Hi, Philly Film Fan here with another review for One Movie Punch. You can follow me on Twitter @PhillyFilmFan. Today’s movie is “Birds of Passage”, the film directed by Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra and written by Maria Camila Arias and Jacques Toulemonde.
No spoilers.
The directors of "Birds of Passage" had previously made history in 2015 when they collaborated on "Embrace of the Serpent", the first Columbian film to ever be nominated for an Oscar, in the Best Foreign Language Film category. That film followed the journeys of a German ethnographer and an American botanist who each go on an expedition through the Amazon rainforest with an indigenous man (the last of his tribe) as their guide. Last year Columbia chose "Birds of Passage" as its Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language Film (each country is only allowed one submission) and the film made the shortlist of nine but was ultimately unable to secure the nomination.
"Birds of Passage" sees the directors return to the subject of indigenous people. This time focusing on the radical shifts in a Wayuu village in northern Columbia as it becomes increasingly involved in the international drug trade in the late 60s. The story begins innocently enough, Raphayet, a young man played by Jose Acosta, wants to marry Zaida, a beautiful girl played by Natalia Reyes. But Zaida comes from a powerful family and Raphayet's family has lower status. Raphayet needs to come up with an appropriate dowry to win his love and a chance encounter with some Americans looking for marijuana provides a perfect opportunity to make some quick money.
Raphayet may be our protagonist but this film is dominated by Zaida's mother Úrsula (Carmiña Martínez). She is the matriarch of the most powerful family in the village and she carries herself like a queen. At first she is skeptical of Raphayet as a suitor for her daughter but once Úrsula sees the wealth created by trading in marijuana, she understands the potential to strengthen her family's position in society. Úrsula is a complicated character, on the one hand she is a proud member of her tribe and deeply invested in preserving the tradition of the Wayuu people. On the other hand, she is seduced by the resources of the outside world and the promise of power that they bring.
“Birds Of Passage” is an epic story about a clash of civilizations (and individuals) that plays out over decades. I may be slightly disappointed in this film but only because I can't help but compare it to "Embrace of the Serpent", which I believe is a superior film. But this is still a powerful work of art and Carmiña Martínez's portrayal of Úrsula was one of the finest performances of last year.
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% (CERTIFIED FRESH)
Metacritic: 85 (MUST SEE)
One Movie Punch: 8.0/10
“Birds Of Passage” (2018) is not rated and is currently available for rental or purchase in all the usual places.
This jawn was brought to you by Philly Film Fan. For more movie reviews, follow me on Twitter @PhillyFilmFan where I’m participating in the #365Movies challenge. That’s P-H-I-L-L-Y-F-I-L-M-F-A-N.
Thanks for listening!
