Link to watch: https://www.primevideo.com/-/it/detail/0TA1HPZW2D7O771AW75A6ZSUYW/ref=dvm_src_ret_fr_xx_s (France), https://www.universcine.com/films/the-wall (France)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17488756/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/445937/
About movie: https://indiesales.eu/films/the-wall
Movie (summary):
"The Wall" (2023), directed by Philippe Van Leeuw, is a drama that focuses on a zealous border patrol agent on the Arizona-Mexico border who loses control and kills a seemingly harmless migrant in front of witnesses. The film explores the aftermath of this incident and the themes of racism and abuse of power within the context of immigration.
Plot Summary:
A committed and zealous border patrol agent, Jessica Comely, is on duty on the Arizona-Mexico border. During an encounter, she loses control and fatally shoots a migrant in front of three witnesses. The film then follows the legal investigation into this incident and explores the underlying racial tensions and power dynamics at play in this border region. Jessica's character is depicted as embodying anti-immigrant rhetoric, highlighting the dangerous consequences of such ideologies.
Director's Vision:
Philippe Van Leeuw intended "The Wall" to closely examine the forces of evil, personified in the character of the border patrol officer, Jessica Comely. He aimed to depict how the dangerous rhetoric surrounding immigration can manifest in harmful actions. The director uses the setting of the US-Mexico border to explore themes of racism and the abuse of authority.
Themes:
Based on available information, the main themes of "The Wall" (2023) appear to be:
Racism: The film strongly critiques the endemic racism that can be prevalent in border control contexts, showing how it dehumanizes individuals and leads to violence.
Abuse of Power: The narrative highlights the dangers of unchecked authority and the potential for abuse within law enforcement, particularly in sensitive areas like border control.
Immigration and Border Politics: The film engages with contemporary issues surrounding immigration and the divisive politics of border control in the United States.
Banality of Evil: The portrayal of the border patrol agent suggests an exploration of how ordinary individuals can become perpetrators of harmful acts through ingrained beliefs and systemic issues.
Key Success Factors:
Vicky Krieps' Performance: Vicky Krieps' portrayal of the border patrol agent has been widely praised for its compelling intensity and embodiment of a character consumed by hatred and racial prejudice.
Unflinching Dissection of Racism: The film's direct and uncompromising examination of racism at the heart of border patrol is a key aspect that critics have noted.
Timely and Relevant Subject Matter: The film tackles highly relevant and urgent issues surrounding immigration and border politics in the current social climate.
Summary Short:
On the Arizona-Mexico border, a zealous border patrol agent kills a migrant, leading to a legal investigation that exposes the deep-seated racism and abuse of power within the system.
Awards and Nominations (summary in words): 3 nominations (Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF), El Gouna Film Festival, Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF))
Critics Reception:
Critics' reception to "The Wall" (2023) has been mixed.
The Film Verdict notes that while Vicky Krieps' performance is impressive and a casting coup, the film itself lacks depth, context, and nuance, presenting a monster without exploring the forces that created her.
Cineuropa describes the film as an unflinching dissection of the banality of evil and an ultra-contemporary western grappling with the universal demons of racism and fear of the other, highlighting Krieps' striking embodiment of the character.
Overall, critics acknowledge the power of Vicky Krieps' performance but some find the film's exploration of its themes to be somewhat simplistic and lacking in complexity.
Reviews:
Cineuropa: Praises Vicky Krieps' portrayal of the border patrol agent as embodying the banality of evil with striking force and precision, highlighting the film's resonance as a contemporary western dealing with racism and fear.
The Film Verdict: Commends Vicky Krieps' physical transformation into her role but critiques the screenplay for being simplistic and failing to provide sufficient depth, context, or nuance to the character's motivations, ultimately showing a monster without exploring its origins.
Production):
"The Wall" (2023) is a co-production involving companies from Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the United States, with Altitude 100 Production (Belgium) as the primary producer.
Production Companies:
Altitude 100 Production (Belgium)
Minds Meet (Belgium)
Les Films Fauves (Luxembourg)
Beo Films (Denmark)
A Street Productions (USA)
Monsoon (USA)
Sales Companies:
Indie Sales handling the international sales for "The Wall".
Distribution Companies:
O'Brother Distribution (Belgium) distributed the film in Belgium.
Bodega Films (France)
Indie Sales (France)
Theatrical Release:
"The Wall" (2023) was theatrically released in Belgium on September 27, 2023.
Why to recommend this movie:
Powerful Central Performance: Vicky Krieps delivers a compelling and intense performance as the border patrol agent, which is a significant draw for the film.
Addresses Timely Social Issues: The film directly engages with critical contemporary issues of immigration, racism, and abuse of power, making it a relevant and thought-provoking watch.
Unflinching Examination of a Dark Reality: The film doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of border control and the potential for dehumanization and violence.
Why to Watch Movie:
For Fans of Intense Character Studies: The film heavily focuses on the character of the border patrol agent, offering a deep dive into a person driven by prejudice.
To Engage with Important Social Commentary: If you are interested in films that explore pressing social and political issues, "The Wall" offers a perspective on the complexities of immigration and its impact.
To Witness a Strong Performance from a Talented Actress: Vicky Krieps is a critically acclaimed actress, and her work in this film is noteworthy for its intensity and conviction.
What Movie Trend film is following :
Socially Conscious Thrillers: "The Wall" aligns with the trend of thrillers that use a tense narrative structure to explore important social and political themes, aiming to provoke thought and discussion about real-world issues.
Character-Driven Independent Films: The film prioritizes the development and portrayal of its central character, fitting into the category of independent films that focus on in-depth character studies.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Focus on Immigration and Border Security Issues: The film directly reflects the significant global social and political trend of heightened attention and often divisive debate surrounding immigration policies and border security. It taps into anxieties and perspectives prevalent in contemporary society.
Final Verdict:
"The Wall" (2023) is a stark and intense film anchored by a powerful performance from Vicky Krieps. It tackles the difficult and timely issues of racism and abuse of power within the context of border control. While some critics find its approach somewhat simplistic, the film serves as a potent commentary on the dehumanizing aspects of certain ideologies and the tragic consequences they can lead to. It is a film that is likely to provoke discussion and reflection on important social issues.
Recommendations for Film Makers:
Ensure Nuance When Portraying Complex Issues: When tackling sensitive topics like racism and abuse of power, it's crucial to explore the complexities and underlying factors rather than presenting characters as purely evil, to offer a deeper understanding.
Balance Strong Performances with Depth in Storytelling: While a compelling lead performance can carry a film, ensuring that the narrative has sufficient depth, context, and nuance is essential for a lasting impact.
Consider Multiple Perspectives: When dealing with politically charged topics like immigration, exploring various perspectives and the human stories on all sides of the issue can lead to a more impactful and insightful film.
Recommendations for Movie Industry:
Continue to Support Films that Engage with Social Issues: The movie industry has a role in fostering dialogue and raising awareness about important social issues by supporting films that tackle these topics thoughtfully.
Promote International Co-Productions: "The Wall" is an example of an international co-production, which can bring diverse perspectives and funding to important stories, allowing for a broader global reach.
Facilitate Distribution for Independent Films with Strong Social Commentary: Ensuring that independent films with meaningful social commentary, like "The Wall", find distribution and reach audiences beyond their initial release markets is crucial for their impact.
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