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Film reviews

The Messenger of Joy Review

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Artists have moments in their life that inspire their art and create unique languages. The inspiration often comes from important life events and cherished memories. The Messenger of Joy delivers cinematic wonders in the form of a documentary. Written by Mohammad Saeidian and directed by Alexander Kwanje, The Messenger of Joy takes a breathtaking look at the life and legacy of the Persian Painter Nasser Ovissi who impressed the world with his many works of art. The documentary weaves together elements of the different eras of his life. 

The prime focus of the film is the depictions of women and horses in his paintings. Throughout the deep journey, there are interviews with people he has worked with and some of his children. They all provide context around why his paintings borers semblances. Nasser’s art takes audiences to new places and is described by the words of those who worked closely with him. 

During The Messenger of Joy, art’s landscape is depicted with realistic essence. Nasser elaborates on how art was not that supportive in his life. He frequently discusses inspirations from his own youth which encouraged him to grow as a stronger painter. The documentary highlights Nasser’s creative worldwhile also including some dark moments from the past. The film peeks into the devoted mind of an artist who works his fingers to the bone to create beautiful pieces depicting civilization, history, and life events. There is a vivid portrait and meaningful message in The Messenger of Joy.

The fascinating results of the artist’s efforts come across as poetic. There is a layer of empathy in each moment of The Messenger of Joy. Various scenes are deep, like one in which he attends a college lecture which is shown from the eyes of an artist. His movements and strokes are what creates the imagery that is instilled throughout The Messenger of Joy.

There is the compelling quote from the film, “Invent a new landscape.” That sets the tone which makes this film, which is just over an hour long so moving. Abstraction is also a vivid element in the story, because every piece of art is developed from a specific context. Throughout the reflections shared, The Messenger of Joy is like taking a ride in the mind of a seasoned artist. I felt like I was floating in the mind of Nasser Ovissi and joining him in a time machine revisiting his eras of trial and error. The documentary dives into sensitive topics ranging from interpersonal dynamics to personal identity. At the same time, both good and bad experiences remind audiences that great things can be achieved through stellar ambition. 

The scenes in which Nasser speaks are sensitive. Because he is now elderly, capturing his thoughts on sacrifice and struggles is touching. It causes the audience to appreciate and honor a man who devotes himself so completely to a craft he loves even while dealing with hard aspects of his life. There is so much beauty and so much joy in this authentic project from director Alexander Kwanje. Four out of four stars for The Messenger of Joy.

Film reviews

Lorne Review

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I have always been curious about what makes Saturday Night Live so lively and successful. I am a millennial and remember my parents always enjoying it on those weekend evenings. I even remember falling in love with the many unforgettable skits and sketches. What I did not know though, is that so much of it comes under the control of one man. Lorne is an absolute treasure of a documentary. Directed by Morgan Neville, there is a rich backstory of the world of television and finding an audience—the structure of continual change delightfully fulfilling. Lorne Michaels is the man behind all the angles of Saturday Night Live.

The first question that comes from the film is, “What is funny?” There is frequent portrayal of the serious business side of comedy presented in Lorne. Lorne has been around Saturday Night Live since it all began and the structure of his life is what defines the pattern of how the show runs today. The film brings back tons of nostalgia with a lot of compelling voices. The quote that defines Lorne frequently is that he is, “A creature of habit!” That element is in the weaving elements of this strong and profound documentary that I find truly special.

The level of prestige is what Neville is amazing at capturing. He knows how to grasp what is real about an individual. The narrative set to be so strictly around Lorne is where I found the backstory of Saturday Night Live compelling. Lorne is a film that carries  a prestigious list of contributors to the setting. There are many interviews with Mike Myers, Colin Jost, Jimmy Fallon, Dana Carvey, and more. They mention moments of his routine. Moments where shows have had ups and downs—the realism of what makes Saturday Night Live today feel as present as ever in Lorne.

The fact that Lorne Michaels was a man that was trying to fill a late-night slot is the aspect of what had my mind so driven for more information with Lorne. I was thinking so much about how audiences were more in tune in the era before personal computers and cell phones– in a time frame where television was just making the rounds. The “creature of habit” tones keepstreaming through the attitude of Lorne. Audiences will see his patterns, his moments, and his personality.

As the documentary continues to capture interviews from current and former members, audiences get a better idea of why Saturday Night Live continually evolves. The landscape of reality is surreal in Lorne. The fact that sacrifices and unfairness are all part of the game in the business side of creating an entertaining show comes through in the narrative. With the show’s colorful writing more context continues to unfold in the evolution of Lorne and the series himself. There is just a humanistic aspect that feels special to me.

It is mesmerizing, breathtaking, and historic. Lorne is a reminder of what talent can bring to the table when there are the many dynamics of show business and the right-thinking process involved. This gem has a flow of continuity to recreate a time and era of comic gold. Former cast member Tina Fey states, “You have to find a lunatic writer and put up with them!” Astatement saying it all– that tolerance of talent can be rewarding. Four out of four stars for Lorne.

Film reviews

No Other Land Review

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This is by far one of the most important and essential documentaries I have ever seen. No Other Land paints a meaningful portrait that blends elements of hope and faith. It goes into uncharted territory by showing the impact which exists today in the Occupied West Bank. Despite all the press, this documentary struggles to get attention. Even an Oscar win was not enough for it to receive the distribution it truly deserves. I do not believe there has been a release with so much controversy since the Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. However, the rights were acquired under the same distributor. Despite all the efforts, No Other Land isn’t getting to a wider audience. This is a pity, since it is a compelling and revealing film that taps into difficult emotions.

No Other Land is not a typical documentary, because it is about a real, ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The film documents the issues surrounding the West Bank’s Masafer Yatta, a small, occupied area that is corrupted by politics and soldiers while families lose their homes. One man stands in the center to capture it all and tell his story…Basel Adra. He is living through the tensions and recording live conflicts betweenthe soldiers and the villagers. In many moments, he documents the horrid nightmare for residents living in Masafer Yatta. No Other Land is very real and hits its audiences hard. The harshness of the turmoil is shocking. Scenes that are hard to dismiss will lead to disbelief but will also take viewers breath away.

As the footage provides many B-roll moments, my gut was wrenching because of how hard-hitting reality is. The political climate and unexpected boundary changes come as punches to the face. At the same time, the film reminds audiences to have a heart and pray for those who are suffering. No Other Land is a rare example of cinematic film making. The presentation of extreme personal loss sparks deep empathy.

Through Basel’s experiences, his co-directors Yuval Abraham and Hamdan Ballal are with him. Yuval is the journalist. The land expulsions lead to increased fighting. The continued losses only serve to elevate the tension. When Basel gets out his camera and yells the words, “I’M FILMING YOU,” audiences see the courage that he has put forth to create the documentary. No Other Land is astounding. I was hooked, I was mortified, and I was astonished.  No Other Land is spellbinding. The film still has limited distribution, but I have faith that it will keep climbing the ladder to reach more new eyes. The story of corruption and poverty is pure adrenaline in No Other Land. Four out of four stars.