Directed by: Samira Makhmalbaf
Remember that young 14 year-old girl who took Venice by storm? Well this is the object of her accalimed documentary, her sister’s movie At Five in the Afternoon about an Afghan girl who wanted to be the prime minister of a war torn country.
It is set amid a group of refugees in post-Taliban Kabul with first-time actors. It tells the story of a spirited young woman who struggles to redefine her role as a woman despite the protestations of her cranky, conservative father. The film won 2 awards at Cannes 2003 Film Festival.
I am a member of the Bahrain Cinema Club [under construction] but never had the time or inclination to actually go there and watch one of their screenings. This time I shall make an exception for this movie. I do want to watch it and shall report back here on my impressions.
I’d like it if you would take the time to join us on the night. It’s being screened on Wednesday (as usual) on Oct 6th, 2004 at 8pm. See you there.
And for goodness’ sake if you’re there because of this article, please look me up! Shout out, and I won’t bite!
Comments
At Five in the Afternoon
Mark and I just came back from watching this movie. The company was good and we chin-wagged a bit. Mark seems to have enjoyed the movie and/or our time together, so I’ll leave him to comment on it himself in his own time.
As for me: What a load of crap!
It was very amateurish at best, totally bad direction and execution at worst. You could see some of the character being led, or attempt to read their lines off a slate, the editing was bad, and I mean bad, the story and images are repetitive, too long-winded, utterly pointless and without direction. Regardless of what the so called intelligencia or film critics say, it does nothing for the “women’s cause.” I have no idea how this movie was awarded a prize in Canne. I hope it was sympathy, rather than telling us that this movie is the best of the bunch!
Nope, I say two thumbs down on this one.
At Five in the Afternoon
To complete the Rodger and Ebert portion of the review, let me say that the film was without direction at times. The script (perhaps the subtitles) was lacking in various parts, the “actors” seemed to be reading the lines at times, and it did drag a bit.
Images of a post Taliban Kabul and a young women dealing with an uncertian future of “ideal” and “reality” are a constant over worn theme, BUT it does tend to show the real struggle for survival in the Kabul area. The struggle to meet the basic needs of life. Food, water and shelter. Woven in with shreds of humor now and then for a touch of levity, the film never makes a decent arc to a climatic end.
For a young film maker with first time actors, a small budget shot on that location I do feel the film did carry a bit of merit and is worth watching on a rain filled afternoon….. in BAHRAIN!!!
Honestly, I did enjoy the film a bit and I was in good company and had a belly full of my FAVORITE food. Sadly though no popcorn was available at the club… (hint hint) In no way was this film CANNES material, let alone award worthy. What those quacks at Cannes where thinking is BEYOND all forms of logical thought and even thoughts of pity.
All in all I give this film a HALF a THUMB up.
At Five in the Afternoon
Good Grief….. The Boston Globe (owned by the NY Times) gave this film a very nice review today. If anyone ever wanted to know how WARPED, off beat and out of touch the Globe and the TIMES are I think this explains it…..