GANGSTA (PATSER)
International Title: Gangsta
Original Title: Patser
Country: Belgium, Netherlands
Year: 2018
Genre: fiction
Directed by: Adil el Arbi, Bilall Fallah
Synopsis
The film is totally made in Belgium and is called Patser, also meaning Gangsta. It is all about the lives of four dealer friends, who want to become real life swaggers. They want to live as big movie stars with fast cars, fat villas, lots of baling and getting it of much respect. Everything spins out of control when they steal a shipment of cocaine and trigger a full out war between them, an Amsterdam drug lord and the ruthless Colombian cartels.
The director described the film as a crime film with a lot comic elements and stunts.
Immediate Response
This movie tells the story of four friends living in a multicultural district. Their uncertain futures and desire for wealth drives them to dealing hard drugs, despite the tough competition of other drug dealers. Their only goal is to become gangstas, and the main force that drives them is their lifelong friendship.
Critical view
a) Social and Political view
The film is divided into seven chapters, according to the Christian seven deadly sins such as sloth, greed, wrath, gluttony, pride, lust and envy. One of the main characters Adamo is one part Italian and one part Moroccan, but rose as a Catholic. Patser is full of vulgar language, which resembles the actual way of interacting between youngsters.
b) Psychological View
They rise to power with a tough cruel smokescreen while showing a ruthless desire for success and credit, but underneath they can express sensitivity and gentleness. Gangster characters often fall prey to crime in the pursuit of wealth, status, and material possessions, because this movie creates an image that all other normal avenues to the top are unavailable to them.
c) Technical Aspect and Treatment
The technical codes of this film include effects created by camera position, framing, composition, lighting, etc. Several different tones and moods are present in this film for different shots. For example, one scene was happy, due to some success of a character and therefore the scene was full of light, the camera positioned at eye level to see the apparent victory of the character. In the movie they have used fear-provoking music and low camera angles.
Inference
It was disturbing at times, a bit too much because the filthy languages. This movie may be unique in the Belgian cinema because of its pace and colourful visuals. Things I learned while watching:
It is impossible to find good actors.
It is a good because the writer written a scenario with six people that it is therefore good.
The settings never feel like that city and are more a generic view of a big city. I do not think everybody can watch this movie.
2. In the Fade
International Title: Aus Dem Nichts
Original Title: In the Fade
Country: Germany
Year: 2017
Genre: Drama
Directed by: Fatih Akin
Synopsis
Heroins life falls separately when her husband and little son are killed in a bomb attack. Her friends and family try to give her the support she needs, and she somehow manages to make it through the funeral. But the mind freezing search for the perpetrators and reasons behind the senseless killing complicate her painful mourning, opening wounds and doubts. A lawyer and best friend represents her in the eventual trial against the two suspects: a young couple. The trial pushes her to the edge, but there is simply no alternative for her, she wants justice.
Immediate Response
The film is largely nonspeaking villains are a greater weakness. The young Nazi suspects are as underdeveloped as characters that they are not even caricatures. They are more like evil blank slates, with little to explain their apparent extreme dislike of foreigners. It is a deeply disturbing film delivering a message that cannot be ignored.
Critical view
a) Social and Political view
This film gives clear idea about the serious issues with the rise of neo-Nazis, and how they have now reached the centre of society. This film give the really murders were done by the mafia, just because the victims were all killed with the same gun. In the film it is said, These must have been drug dealers, or they must have something to do with prostitution. I was so furious when I found all this out. On the one hand I was like, this is good material for a thriller and the other hand it was something the director throw out into German society as something they have to discuss.
b) Psychological View
The film is about revenge. The question the film asks is not about adjustment, but about the difficulty of being a democratic subject when justice through the law fails. While the Police focused their investigation on the people within the community of the victims, my thinking pattern was totally different. I struggle to remember more reptilian scenes.
c) Technical Aspect and Treatment
Technical work is smooth and highly effective throughout cinematographer, creates a good atmosphere of suspense set in a world that feels real, not one simply designed to trigger emotions. Designer swims against stereotype in his stylish apartment design and fine score pumps up the suspense and aching sadness in turn.
Inference
This is a solid drama about a woman who has to confront a sudden death of her close ones. There are two things that really attracted in this film is, the topic of the movie. The other thing is the camera work. There are plenty of good shots in this movie, plenty of creative ones and plenty of interesting ones, so I really cannot understand, how a director with such a good eye decided to use this cheap effect. It looks unprofessional and takes away from the movie.