Babel (2006)
- By: Qwaider
- On:Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:30:58 PM
- In:Movies
- Viewed: (9705) times
- Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
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Rated 4.5/5 stars (259 votes cast)
I can confidently say, that the future of cinema lies in the hands of independent movies. Hollywood really lost it's edge with over commercialized productions. If you love Art, this one is certainly for you.
I was surprised to see names like Brad Pitt and Kate Blanchett, in a low budget production, but remember this movie might be low on budget, but not art or talent... If you love movies ... you have got to read this
9.5/10 on the Qwaider scale
Movie opens Nov 10th in the US
Warning, long and detailed article...
Very rarely, a drama, with strong yet powerful images comes along and really gives me hope in the movie industry
I had the same kind of emotions I had, when I saw Paradise Now, a movie that I love and respect. Yet this one is quite different.
Lets start with the Kudos,
Then with the story and finally move on to the technical details...
Director Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu (21 grams) came to the screening and we had a very amazing talk and a Q&A session and was amazed by the level of art and intellect people from the 3rd world have, contrary to the common misconception. (Pictures coming soon)
Alejandro, is extremely well read person, from Tolstoy to Mahfouz. He apparently collects a lot of intellectual horsepower, and was positive and even sympathetic to the Arabic situation in general.
This helped him portray the Moroccan desert in a very interesting way, and his choice for the instrument of Oud to stitch together the movie (more on that below) was such a revolutionary and extremely artistic move
Brad, and Kate, generously dedicated their time and fame for the movie and reduced their staggering fees for the low budget movie because I think they believed in the amazing artistic and beauty of the vision of Alejandro. Shooting in 3 continents, 5 different languages .... makes this simply a masterpiece
The movie is actually 4 different stories that intersect ...
First story is about 2 young shepherd Moroccan kids, who's father buys a rifle to help protect their herd from jackals.
Second story is about an American couple with relationship issues, visiting Morocco.
The third is about a deaf rebellious Japanese girl who recently lost her mother
And the fourth is the story of two young American kids and their illegal-alien Mexican nanny.
What brings all of these together? You have to see the movie to find out, and I assure you, you will not be disappointed
Now, for the Art of Cinema, at it's best!
Everything was PERFECT in this movie, soothing, attractive, striking and colorful. And even though I was battling to keep my eyelids open before the movie, the minute it started, it was absolutely captivating. Not only that, it felt like an amazing piece of poetry being recited in my head.
The soundtrack, was superb, with the use of the Oud instrument to stitch together ALL the stories and smooth all transitions from one story to the other. Alejandro has found an amazing universal instrument that can easily adapt to all of the 4 different locals
Alejandro, had so much trouble casting for this movie, he didn't have a single character up until 17 days before he started shooting, when he contacted Brad Pitt and he agreed. In Morocco it was even harder as he tried to cast locally for talent, and came across the pretty, beautiful skinned movie stars that have no resemblance to the natives of the deep Sahara, that he was looking for, so he ended up casting locally in the villages they shot at
He said, "Brad and Kate, found a movie that they don't have to -carry- and be committed to promoting, allowing them to really perform at their best"
According to Alejandro, the movie was shot in 3 different formats, yet when seeing it, you can not even notice that happening, and the smoothness of transitions is mind boggling.
This is one movie that will definitely score an Oscar or two. Just for the level of professionalism, realism and deep aesthetics. While still portraying amazing details....
Things to look for, and enjoy...
The Arab-Arab abuse...
The American tourist arrogance, fear, and selfishness
The border police ignorance, and official mismanagement
The media hype
Terrorism from the view of Americans, and the rest of the world
The intoxication, Japanese style
The rejection of challenged people, and how it affects them negatively
The Arab hospitality, generosity, understanding and integrity
The difference in habits ... world wide
The similarity of humans, regardless of their origins ...
The Name.... Babel...
He masterfully picked a name to portray the difference in languages and communications that results in people misunderstanding each other ....
This is an R rated movie, but it's definitely worth watching. It is just absolutely stunning .. And I highly recommend it to everyone ... Make sure you catch it when it's released... You will not regret it
Checkout the official website: Babel
Memories....
And this pic of brad on the phone crying made me think that,he is the best male actor ever when it comes to crying scenes especially..he is not conservative when it comes to using every little facial muscel to express himself...most other male actors don't cry as true..
I don't see him handsome at all...but i love seeing his acting..ever since SEVEN and LEGENDS OF THE FALL..
Thanks..my favorit reviewer:)
http://linasturmoil.blogspot.com/2005/07/two-great-movies.html
I read the review on Babel in Newsweek a few weeks ago and have been harassing the DVD store next to us and nagging for them to get it ;)
I agree with you... Independent Cinema is the best. I love Brazilian, European, and most Independent films. Hollywood has become so predictable and lame!
Thank you Soooo much Lina... That's a very good article
I'm preparing the pictures I took, I'm sure you're going to enjoy them. I wish all JP were with me in this pre-screening (it opens 11-10)
2015 / 8 / 4
ايهاب سليم-صحفي مستقل-السويد-تقرير-9/8/2008:
سعيد فيصل حسن السلطاني,56 عاما, سياسي عراقي سابق كان يعمل امين مخزن في ديوان الرئاسة السابق ضمن مهمات القصر الجمهوري,حاز على كتاب تثمين الجهود المرقم 2995 عام 1987من قبل الرئيس العراقي السابق صدام حسين,قرر السلطاني تقديم استقالته من العمل رسيما ضمن الكتاب المرقم 5162 عام 1993.
بعد معاناة مريرة في العراق,قرر السلطاني التوجه الى روسيا الاتحادية عام 1994 طالبا اللجوء فيها ولاسيما ان العراق كان يمر بأوضاع مأساوية,الا ان على ما يبدو جرت عملية تزييف في الاقوال من قبل المترجمة العراقية اثناء مقابلة المحامي على حد قول السلطاني,ادى ذلك الى رفض طلب لجوءه من قبل المفوضية العليا لشؤون اللاجئيين التابعة للامم المتحدة.
اكمل السلطاني قائلا:تقدمت باكثر من عشرين شكوى الى المفوضية العليا لشؤون اللاجئيين الا ان المفوضية العليا تؤكد بعدم وجود هذه الشكاوي في ملف طلب لجوءه!
اضاف السلطاني قائلا:الادهى من ذلك انهم سجلوني اعزب رغم اني متزوج ولدي اولاد وهم يعيشون في روسيا بأوراق ثبوتية قانونية صادرة من الامم المتحدة بعد قبول طلبات لجوءهم.
عائلة السلطاني منهم شقيقه العقيد الركن في الجيش العراقي السابق وشقيقته العاملة في الخطوط الجوية العراقية سابقا وباقي افراد اسرته قد غادروا العراق الى بلدان اخرى بعد تلقيهم تهديدات مباشرة من قبل الميلشيات المدعومة من ايران.
اختتم السلطاني مناشدا المنظمات والهيئات الدولية ايجاد له حل سريع ولاسيما انه يعيش منذ اربعة سنوات داخل شقته على نفقة اولاده واصدقاءه دون التمكن من التسوق او التوجه الى المستشفيات الرسمية في روسيا الاتحادية او حتى عدم القدرة للعودة الى العراق وذلك لخشيته من الاستهداف المباشر من قبل الميليشات المدعومة من ايران على حد قوله.
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اخي الكريم تحيه طيبه لكم ولكل الشرفاء في هذا العالم في العراق لا حياة ولا صوت لمن ينادي مع الاسف الكل يقول وفي النهايه لا يوجد فعل على الارض الواقع وحتى المهاجرين لا حقوق لهم مع التقدير – سياسي عراقي سابق عملت في ديوان الرئاسه السابق هربنا من العراق في عام 1994 الى روسيا وعدنا الى العراق في عام 2009 وبعد مرور 5 سنوات من المراجعات الدوائر الحكوميه لم نحصل على شي يذكر ولا حقوق لنا من التقاعد و لا ايعاده الى الوظيفه هذه الحقيقه وفوق كل ذلك يقولون انتم من ازلام النظام السابق لا حقوق لكم وخوفا من الميليشيات وغيرهم قررنا الهروب من هذا البلد الى بلد اخر في عام 2014 هذا العراق الجديد اخي هل الغربه هي الحل ام الهروب من بلد فيه الديمقراطيه راجين التفظل بالطلاع واعلامي مع التقدير – سعيد فيصل السلطاني – ت – 995579103520 وشكرا
مرسلة من قبل : صرخه سياسي
المصدر : سعيد فيصل حسن