| Lampedusa: African Refugees First Hope of Europe | ||
| Fire at Sea | ||
| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
|
The film communicates important emotional and perspective information regarding boat refugees sailing from Africa to a small Island of Italy. Aside from a few brief captions at the outset, the voice of the filmmaker is silent. There is no voice over, nor any analysis. We simply benefit from Rosi's impressive quiet access to the Italian subjects: a boy, a doctor, Coast Guard, a diver, a housewife, and the thousands of African refugees risking their lives. We experience the contrast he weaves between them. Though the shots are artistic and beautiful in their own way, they're also long and drawn out – which will make many viewers impatient. In sum: important, educating, artistic, moving at times, but decidedly lacking the crisp pace of many other modern documentaries. From the press notes: Gianfranco Rosi’s observations of everyday life bring us closer to this place that is as real as it is symbolic, and to the emotional world of some of its inhabitants who are exposed to a permanent state of emergency. At the same time his film, which is commentary-free, describes how, even in the smallest of places, two worlds barely touch. |
||
|
||
|
Grade..........................B (2/4) |
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
