07
During the scenes that reflect back to life in America I get frustrated with the glossy US blockbuster finish and style, in contrast to the gritty erratic military scenes, feeling that his story lacks depth and doesn’t marry with the interview framework. But actually what develops makes you appreciate why this was done.
The film is a stylistic marvel, from the opening credits right through to the close. There is a lack of cohesiveness and erratic uneasiness in text direction, language, culture, music, picture quality and steadiness of pace within the film that only come to conclusions at the end.
on surreal, real-life events and is mentally gripping with no real resolution at the end. It’s left my memory stained and quizzical of human psychology.
www.magpictures.com/compliance/ The Reluctant
Fundamentalist – Dir. Mira Nair Stars: Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland
Considering this is based on the bestselling novel by Moshin Hamid, and directed by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding), I expected The Reluctant Fundamentalist to be a guaranteed success. My critical lenses were firmly in place.
It’s 2011 and a US Professor is kidnapped. A high-pressured US investigation leads to the undercover interview of suspect Changez (Riz Ahmed), a Muslim terrorist and lecturer who claims his innocence. The interview is a platform for Changez to
defend and explain his life story, which becomes the pulse of the film. His credentials are similar to any listed terrorist in the news and he is assumed guilty. However Changez romantically explains his non-committal to his Pakistani culture during his young adulthood instead yearning for the ‘American Dream’ until 9/11 and other subsequent events.
Clare Steward, Director of the BFI festival promised us that “this year’s programme is bursting with films and events that will entertain, confront and delight you”, and I couldn’t agree more. A perfect end to a fantastic summer of events, bringing London carefully selected and categorised films from all over the world.
www.bfi.org.uk/lff • Words Caroline R Images Getty images
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32