An inspirational theme
By Troy Ribeiro


FILM: The 33
CAST: Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, Juan Pablo Raba, Kate del Castil
DIRECTION: Patricia Riggen

Based on a real incident that occurred in the mines of Chile, The 33 is a riveting, heart-wrenching survival drama that reinstates your faith in god.
It is the retelling of the 2010 Chilean mining accident, where 33 miners were trapped in the San Jose Mine, situated in the Atacama Desert. How the miners hold on to their sanity and hopes while they wait for extrication, forms the crux of the tale.
Those following the incident would probably know the outcome of the accident: the miners were rescued after 69 days. But what makes Patricia Riggen’s film, worth a watch is the outstanding performance by its principal cast and the sincerity with which she has handled the subject — constantly reminding the audience that surviving this situation is nothing short of a miracle.
While the entire world watched what transpired above ground during the gruelling and long drawn-out rescue, she brings to the surface the saga of the miners’ experiences from Hector Tobar’s book titled, Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of the 33 Men Buried in the Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free.
The crisp script, written by Jose Rivera, Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten and Michael Thomas divides its focus among four distinct groups: The miners deep in the Earth’s belly, the rescue operation along with the miners’ families, the government and the media.
Playing the emotional note, the film relies on easy sentiment to fill the many gaps in its characterisation. The plot emphasises on family ties and bonding. With scenes that indulge in flashback, inspirational spiels, group prayers and the desperate attempt for a successful rescue operation, it propels the story forward making the narration interesting as well as dramatic.
What adds to the flavour is James Horner’s South American notes and sentimental composition that layer the dim desperation of these men. The lilting musical score makes it feel like a divine moment of relief and is visually playful without going over the top.
The bevy of fine actors who give powerful performances include Banderas as Mario Sepulveda, the default leader of the group who does not command his men but exudes confidence, the will to survive and be together. It is touching to hear him say, “They’ll dig us out. If they don’t our families will, with their bare hands if it’s necessary. I believe we’ll make it out of here because I choose to believe it. All 33 of us!”
He is supported by characters with various issues. Looking dirty and grimy, they may seem archetypical but nevertheless they were the survivors and they all do a fantastic job. Lou Diamond Phillips as the guilt ridden foreman Don Lucho is noteworthy.
Juliette Binoche as Maria Segovia, the “empanada” vendor along with her troubled brother Dario played by Jaun Pablo Raba, Rodrigo Sabtoro as the minister of mining, Bob Goton as Chilean President Pinera and Gabriel Byrne as the chief engineer Andre Sougarret, add a repertoire of emotions.
The 33 is a well-made inspirational film. — IANS

A loving tribute
By Rick Bentley


FILM: The Letters
CAST: Juliet Stevenson, Rutger Hauer, Max von Sydow
DIRECTION: William Riead

The commitment by Mother Teresa to care for those who had been rejected by society is one of the most unparalleled displays of benevolence of the 20th century. The tiny woman showed the world through her actions the truest meaning of charity.
Concerns about the loneliness and darkness she felt in her life were revealed through a series of letters written to her spiritual adviser, Celeste van Exem (Max Von Sydow).
Writer-director William Riead has elected to tell the story from the point of view of Benjamin Praagh (Rutger Hauer), a Vatican priest charged with investigating acts and events following her death that would determine whether Mother Teresa should be canonised.
The story unfolds as Sister Teresa (Juliet Stevenson) decides to leave the convent in eastern Calcutta, India, where she has been serving as a teacher to work in the streets. She starts offering care and comfort to the masses who are starving, sick or dying.
Despite her pure humanitarian reasons for wanting to work among the poor, the Vatican had to be convinced to change its rules. She eventually establishes her own congregation whose work is so world-changing that it earns Mother Teresa the Nobel Peace Prize.
The task of playing Mother Teresa falls to Stevenson, a noted British actor.
Mother Teresa was not prone to big displays of either joy or frustration, but Stevenson still manages to show the frustration and emotional burden that weighed heavily on Mother Teresa’s shoulders. It was a burden she almost exclusively carried alone.
There would have been more emotional avenues for her to play, had Riead opted to spend less time making a biopic on the life of the nun and more on revealing the contents of the letters.
This is a powerful part of Mother Teresa’s life, but the way Riead has written the script and shot the film plays it too safely. Stevenson takes the material Riead gives her and plays the role with the respect and energy it needs and deserves.
She could have done so much more had the material been there.
But there are plenty of memorable scenes, from the anguish she feels, despite her heroic efforts, with a pregnant woman and with the motherly advice she gives the young students who are inspired to follow her lead.
Even with the technical glitches, The Letters is a loving tribute to what can be done when a person doesn’t just profess to have a deep faith but takes action to show it. The fact that this saintly woman has some very common doubts and concerns only shows how dedicated Mother Terersa was to taking care of the homeless and helpless. — The Fresno Bee/TNS

Ideal for children
FILM: Open Season: Scared Silly
VOICES: William Townsend, Melissa Sturm, Trevor Devall
DIRECTION: David Feiss

Open Season: Scared Silly is a 2015 American computer-animated comedy film.
This is the fourth instalment in the Open Season film series, following Open Season (2006), Open Season 2 (2008), and Open Season 3 (2010).
Open Season: Scared Silly opens with Elliot telling a campfire story about the legend of the Wailing Wampus Werewolf that lives in Timberline National Forest. Domesticated Boog is terrified by the story and decides to “chicken out” of their annual summer camping trip until he knows the werewolf is gone. Determined to help Boog overcome his fears, Elliot and their woodland friends band together to scare the fear out of Boog and uncover the mystery of the Wailing Wampus Werewolf.
Also, Open Season has reopened and their old enemy Shaw has returned to hunt them down and catch the werewolf. At the end, Shaw is defeated, Open Season is permanently shut down, and the werewolf turns out to be real, but Elliot befriends him and he joins their camp out.
Open Season: Scared Silly is one of those movies that knows its primary audience is probably under the age of 10 and just goes for jokes that appeal to that age group. That isn’t to say that there isn’t any fun to be had by adults because there is some, but is just far more intent on keeping itself tuned to the needs of the younger audience. – NT

DVDs courtesy:  Saqr Entertainment Stores, Doha