Haven't seen it - but read the reviews and it seems to be one of those "feel good" "based on true story" type films that the Academy love to nominate.
Depending on it's campaign - it has a very good chance od a Best Pic nomination.
Not sure if it is eligible to be Kenya's foreign language entry - since a lot of it is in English. (Mind you this didn't stop "The Wedding Banquet" from being nominated a few years ago.
It's based on a true story, but typical "feel-good" it is not. I actually disagree with you on the chances of a nomination because it makes the British Monarchy look like the horrible people they are, something of which droning Westerners aren't going to take kindly to.
No matter if it gets nominated, it is the calibre of previous nominees in this category, other than the cinematography leaving a bit to be desired, all the other aspects are certainly to be praised. It wonderfully conveyed emotion, without bashing our heads in with uber dramatics. I found its most interesting aspects were the cross-generational story, as well as the delicate interweaving of past and present.
There is art for sheer art, there is art which prostitutes itself for power, and then there is art which conveys a unique yet universal story, this is the latter kind.
***So I've seen 4 movies/wk in theatre for a 1/4 century, call me crazy?**
The day the Academy Awards starts awarding worthy winners is the day I start caring which movies get an oscar.
If the movie is good, it's good, regardless of said award.
To talk about whether this movie will get any Oscar nominations (never mind awards) you really need to go out and watch it first. It is the most heart wrenching movie i have ever seen, and i am a South African, living in England. It may have been made by English hands, but there are no English actors, and the flashbacks are disturbingly honest. Most English people have no idea of this part of their history. This movie is amazing, with or without an Oscar.
shareWell, Naomie is English...I believe she was the only one. This movie was SUCH a heartbreaking story. He just couldn't catch a break. Even the things I knew were going to happen got to me. I bawled like a baby and it was terribly hard for me to watch in some parts. Beforehand I didn't quite know what the movie was about I just knew Tony Kgoroge was in it (and Naomie of course) and I'm glad I forced myself to continue watching. Usually I'm fine with this type of movie but I'm finding more and more I have to be in a certain mood to watch.
I'm really impressed that it was made by an Englishman and turned out the way it did. But then again it is not a mainstream film so no pandering to Western audiences needed. Still waiting on a proper Steven Biko movie to be made...then again Mandela couldn't get a proper biopic and how many movies have they made about him?
I wish more people knew about this movie. I loved Maruge's relationship with the kids. The cast was great. Oliver Litondo was wonderful, and the actor who played young Maruge also did well. I was very impressed. The kids were perfect and the main boy (long neck, very fat, #5 wears a hat) is a good little actor. Naomie is always good, I even thought the smaller roles were cast perfectly.
I'm watching it again soon!
Rest in peace Sullivan Walker. A distinguished, underappreciated, talented actor and a lovely man.
I have no idea what its chances are, but I really hope it is nominated. Everything about this movie was beyond beautiful, and all of the acting was so natural. I mean, the children were AMAZING... everybody in this film really exuded character from deep within. Add that to the controversial subject of the film, and everything the character Maruge went through... plus the amazing cinematography and all of the juxtaposition between rural Kenya and the urban city.
I don't know... if this isn't nominated, then I've REALLY lost hope in our film awards system. -__-
And yes, this movie made me cry.
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