colonialism

THE MISSION: A Documentary Journey On Faith Or Madness
THE MISSION: A Documentary Journey On Faith Or Madness

You can make of The Mission what you will, as there is so much here to unpack in the middle of this tension. It’s undeniable.

PREY: An Anti-Colonialist Action Movie
PREY: An Anti-Colonialist Action Movie

Prey offers an excellent example of less being more, especially in a series long known for its over-the-top dialogue and gory violence.

All The Beautiful People: What Dolly De Leon's Rise Means For Challenging Colonial Aesthetics
All The Beautiful People: What Dolly De Leon’s Rise Means For Challenging Colonial Aesthetics

These beauty standards have permeated in other industries and cultures but, the Filipinos’ preference and fascination for these have colonial roots.

WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS: Nuanced but Fails to Cross the Finishing Line
WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS: Nuanced But Fails To Cross The Finish Line

After all the attention and commitment to the story, Waiting for the Barbarians leaves viewers without a solid and satisfying payoff.

Berlinale 2020: FIRST COW
Berlinale 2020: FIRST COW

While Reichardt seems to be well intentioned here, First Cow falters by being frustratingly empty in both its delivery and narrative focus.

CARGO: A Neo-Colonialist Story Told From The Wrong Side
CARGO: A Neo-Colonialist Story Told From The Wrong Side

The disappointment when Cargo turns out to regurgitate the messages of a Hollywood production despite the unique style can’t be understated.

THE NIGHTINGALE: An Uncompromising Examination of the Evils of Colonialism
THE NIGHTINGALE: An Uncompromising Examination Of The Evils Of Colonialism

By using a traditional revenge movie template, Jennifer Kent reminds us that we can have no catharsis for the horrors of the past.

Depictions of Colonialism in THE MISSION & ZAMA
Depictions Of Colonialism In THE MISSION & ZAMA

These two award winning films illustrate how cinema can either reinforce or dismantle traditional understandings of colonialism and the Age of Exploration.

Embrace the Serpent
EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT: Dark, Expressive, Haunting

The most damaging and offensive cliché in films that explore colonialism and its effects on indigenous nations is the notion of the noble savage, as well as the white savior. Approaching this film the inevitable trepidations set in, but were soon quelled, as Embrace of the Serpent proved to be simultaneously intelligent and willfully authentic. Director Ciro Guerra film adheres to territorial formalism without subverting the cultural atmosphere and originality.