Citizen Four (2014)

Approached by CITIZENFOUR, journalists Glenn Greenwald and Ewen MacAskill along with documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras fly to Hong Kong in the summer of 2013 to meet with the man who ended up being Edward Snowden to discuss and divulge secret information regarding covert surveillance programs run by the NSA and other intelligence programs of American and international citizens.

The documentary is a thrilling and terrifying account of the actions that transpired before, during and after the groundbreaking reports were leaked and the turn of events by the American government. This review of CITIZENFOUR is not going to be a debate regarding the right or wrong of whistle-blowing or the government collection of data. That discussion can be saved for when someone mentions that they have seen CITIZENFOUR and an debate-like argument will indubitably ensue. This review will try to focus, as much as it can, on the scope of its impact and effectiveness of the film as a documentary.

The Good Lie

The Good Lie is a beautiful, heart wrenching film inspired by true events. The film begins in Sudan during the Civil War and follows a group of young children as they attempt to flee their village after it is destroyed and find refuge in Ethiopia. Thirteen years after fleeing their country, the four surviving friends are sent to America to start a new life, but that presents its own challenges. Mamere, Jeremiah and Paul are sent to live and find work in Kansas, while their sister Abital is sent to live with a host family in Boston. They three boys must work together to navigate through this strange new world, while trying to become reunited with their sister and save their families back in Africa.

The first part of the movie can be difficult to watch, as it depicts the horrors of the Sudanese Civil War, and how these surviving children saw their families killed by invading troops. Also, how they trekked nearly 900 miles across the sub-Sahara, under the most dangerous and difficult conditions to reach the Kakuma Camp. The remainder of the film depicts the culture shock awaiting them in Kansas City as they relocate to America.

This was definitely better than expected.  The acting was decent although amateurish at times. I easily connected with all the characters, and would have loved if the film went deeper into their personal stories.

The Look of Silence -- Indonesia at Venice Film Festival

This year two of Indonesia movies are going to Venice. Short movie by Sidi Saleh and Indie by Joshua Oppenheimer produced by Werner Herzog. I haven't heard about Maryam by Sidi Saleh, but I heard the good news about The Look of Silence. They got standing ovation at Venice. Some of the critics even say it is the top five movie this year. The movie is about Indonesian killing of 1965-1966. It's very sensitive subject for this country, its a documentary movie. I hear it is a sequel Oppenheimer's previews Indonesian movie which got Oscar nom, The Act of Killing. I have watched The Act of Killing and it;'s very good movie. very bad ass and I like it. Not only because its based on my country but because it's good movie. Since it's produced by Werner Herzog he and his team has pushes it into so many festival just like The Act of Killing. I can't wait to watch this movie, they got rave reviews. And hoping many Indonesia film makers will get the Indonesia of doing something like this. I mean we have great film makers. But look at The Raid and The Act of Killing it's Indonesia's sensitive subject. but they made it into everywhere. I read The Look of Silence will have 2015 release, hoping for 2014 US premiere tho so they can push it into Award Season and release it here sooner. Finger cross. I love my country being mentions. And more people want to make people here and about Indonesia. we have amazing history.