The Imperialists Are Still Alive!
October. 01,2010A young artist in Manhattan falls in love with a Mexican.
Similar titles
You May Also Like
Reviews
People are voting emotionally.
Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
Oh my god, I truly hope this thing was not paid for by tax payers, namely the National Endowment for the Arts.When independent filmmakers go out of there way to make a non-Hollywood movie, they wind up making a disaster. This is a disaster.I saw this mess on the Sundance channel presented by Robert Redford. Apparently, old man Redford thought this movie was good enough to present himself. Poor misbegotten soul.They describe this movie as a: "Manhattan artist Asya (Elodie Bouchez) suspects that her friend has been abducted by the CIA in this compelling drama detailing the effects of the war on terror on the lives of average Americans. Meanwhile, her new beau dismisses her fears as paranoia."Not at all. There is no compelling drama, No war on terror, No CIA, No abduction. The only paranoia I can see in this movie is the investors who paid for it. This movie has the same importance as the controversial "Piss Christ." No merit of art can be seen anywhere in this movie.Characters meander around for 90 minutes doing absolutely nothing to involve the audience. You will not care what happens to the characters. Because the director gives the audience nothing to care about. An ingrown toe nail is more compelling than this.I will recommend this movie only so you can see why movies like these should never see the silver screen.
Durra's first film is exceptional, in every way. The understated acting and narrative development is skillfully used to explore trans-local issues. She is also taking on something we see most famously in Inarritu's films: the intricate connections between people who seem to be separated by place, culture, space and time, but who are brought into relation of simultaneity nonetheless. But whereas Inarritu (whom I love) is somewhat bombastic about making these connections salient, and sudden, Durra is subtle and understated. The problems of such connections are also brought out: Javier sometimes makes far-fetched claims about his father's political past in order to try and relate to the experience Asya is having of worrying about her brother who is in Beirut during Israeli bombing.The film also explores class and the politics of distinction in very interesting ways. Putting a Palestinian artist and a Mexican PhD law student--both of clearly upper middle class backgrounds--"on the road" throughout New York is incredibly fruitful. Asya's Mexican cleaning lady is one point where these class issues are worked out. Asya's ambivalence towards the milieu of artists is another.Thoroughly enjoyable on so many levels, complex, subtle, critical and genuinely funny.
I saw this film at the opening night of the Williamsburg Film Festival on Kent Ave at South 2nd street. It is a great portrayal of a life in NYC. I have lived in NYC for 17 yrs and could relate to the characters and scenes, even though I am 1/2 Swedish and 1/2 Jewish. The movie is unbelievably funny... I laughed and laughed. It is not a serious film, but it is not meant to be serious... it is a window into the world of this artist that touches on political issues... as I think for many of us living in the States experience global issues... horrors go on across the world and we still go to parties and benefits. The dichotomy between silly and serious, paranoid and real, superficial and important are acutely captured in a way that is representative of young culture today... At the same time, it is a charming love story. The directing is fantastic - I was really amazed at the complexity of the shots... the Chinatown scenes, the cars, the parties... so many people and elements in so many of the scenes for such a young director. Enjoyable on so many levels - to be seen!!
Excellent film. I saw it twice on the festival circuit and it made me laugh. It's beautifully made and touches upon things that nobody else bothers to deal with. Elodie Bouchez is phenomenal in it. A totally new perspective that's well done. Although its milieu is privileged it's remarkably self-aware and hilarious in its exploration of class divisions and the various ethnicities in NYC. It's more than just the usual indie story of trying to find their way, much more assured, witty and political. An interesting feminist perspective, great shot structure and a sweet love story to boot.Go see this film!