Summers with record setting heat indexes were made for binge watching movies and TV shows. So what’s in my Netflix queue???
DIFRET has been sitting in my queue for a couple of weeks. It didn’t have anything to do with whether or not the movie was “good” or “bad” …it was more so to do with the heaviness of the subject. This powerful film set in Ethiopia is a true story.
It centers around 14-year-old Hirut who was kidnapped while walking home from school by the man determined to marry her and his band of his friends. After enduring physical assault and rape, she managed to steal his rifle and escape. The band of kidnappers quickly caught up with her, so she was left with no other choice, but to kill her captor. The story doesn’t end there though. Hirut was then put on trial for his murder. Due to traditions and ideals about a women’s worth, her attorney Meaza, is forced to do legal acrobatics to secure Hirut’s freedom. It brings to light the many issues women and girls are faced with throughout the world such as forced child marriage and sexual abuse. It’s definitely difficult to watch a child endure such horrible circumstances, yet we must not turn away from the screen nor the issues that women and girls are met with around the world.
Documentary-style CRONIES is a classic tale of childhood friends growing apart. You know the story…hell, you’ve possibly even lived the story. One friend wants change and growth while the other prefers to keep everything as it’s always been. So naturally tension arises, then a new friend is introduced to the group. Awkward, much? This is the case for Louis and Jack, who have been friends since they were knee-high to a grasshopper. Louis is seemingly changing his ways with a stable job and healthy relationship with his girlfriend while Jack is up to his same old childhood antics. Jack is also envious of Louis’ budding friendship with his co-worker, Andrew and decides to include himself in their plans which is where things get interesting. Initially, this film reminded me of Spike Lee’s SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT because of the black-and-white cinematography and the revealing interviews with each character. The interviews were an excellent tool to peel back the layers of the underlying tension between the friends.
CRONIES is an authentic portrayal of what happens when loyalty is tested, emotions are masked and secrets are revealed. It is also a raw, yet beautiful cinematic ode to the city of St. Louis.