Beasts of No Nation
3.5/4
Starring: Abraham Attah, Idris Elba
Not Rated (Probable NC-17 for Strong War Violence including Graphic Images, Disturbing Sexual Content including Rape and Child Molestation, and for Language and Drug Use Throughout)
"Beasts of No Nation" is about a child soldier in an unnamed African country, and it's just as tough to watch as you could imagine. Or perhaps tougher. What the young hero, a boy no older than 12 named Agu (Attah), witnesses and participates in would break the heart and soul of even the strongest man. But in telling this story, director Cary Fukunaga shows no fear and holds nothing back. And as tough as this film sometimes is to watch, I thought to myself, "Good. Show it all. It makes it all the more impossible to ignore." For while "Beasts of No Nation" is fiction, it tells a story that is all too real nonetheless.
Agu is living in an unnamed African country. A brutal civil war has broken out, but Agu and his family are safe in the neutral zone. However, this doesn't last long. His mother (Ama K. Abebrese) flees with his younger siblings while he is forced to "defend" his hometown with his father (Kobina Amissah-Sam) and older brother (Francis Weddey). Everyone but Agu is slaughtered, leaving him to venture into the jungle on his own. He is found by NDF, a rebel group lead by the enigmatic Commandant (Elba). There, he finds safety, belonging, and an opportunity for revenge. But such pleasures have a price, as Agu is forced to commit unspeakable atrocities and becomes the very thing that took so much from him.
This is one of those movies where the film's impact can't be explained, only felt. Like last year's masterpiece "Dunkirk," "Beasts of No Nation" leaves you reeling. What happens in it is horrific, all the more so because we see it through the eyes of a child. Agu is not a bad kid; he loves his family and has a great sense of mischief. But when he becomes all alone in a world gone to hell, he doesn't stand a chance when he is absorbed into the NDF. His narration provides a dichotomy between his feelings and his actions so that even though he does monstrous things (and has them done to him), we still see that he is a scared little kid rather than a conscienceless monster.
Undoubtedly what makes this film work is that he is brilliantly portrayed by a young actor named Abraham Attah in a stunning debut performance. There's no rawness that often hampers child actors (or anyone appearing in front of the camera for the first time). He and his character have fused. Agu commits countless murders, including one so brutal that it caused me to look away and becomes a drug addict. But never once does he allow us to forget that he's the same kid who added something extra to his brother's shower.
His co-star, professional actor Idris Elba, is less impressive. He has presence and ability, there's no doubt about that. But Elba lacks the raw magnetism needed for this role. Elba is a character actor, not a leading man. And there are times, particularly during his speeches, where he is reaching for effect. It comes across as if he's trying to score points with critics and people who dole out the awards. He does a commendable job, but it's Attah who steals the show. Just as it should be.
The film was directed by Cary Fukunaga, a filmmaker who got his start directing the immigration drama "Sin Nombre." Fukunaga constructs this story like a biopic rather than a traditional narrative. Agu is in every scene, and it's through his eyes that we see the world he has been forced to enter. The NDF is a cross between a summer camp and a cult; that it brings to mind our summers as children adds a disturbing weight to the film that enhances the film's impact. Initially, it's fun and games (so to speak), but when reality hits, it's horrifying.
"Beasts of No Nation" was picked up by Netflix, who tried to release it in theaters and on their site at the same time. Since this eliminated the traditional 90-day window between theaters and DVD, most theater companies sensed the inevitable competition and boycotted it. That's actually a good thing. First, this isn't a movie that will draw people into the theaters. It's not that kind of movie. It's so disturbing that a more private setting would be preferable for most viewers. Second, had it gone by the MPAA, it could conceivably have been handed out an NC-17 for its content, demanding cuts that would have diluted the film's impact. As it is, Fukunaga has pushed it as far as he can go without turning off any potential audience member. As is, it's absolutely not okay for children.
"Beasts of No Nation" demands a lot out of a viewer. It's incredibly tough to watch and about 10 minutes too long. But in return you'll see a story told from a unique perspective that the world usually ignores, and you will see first-class filmmaking.
Starring: Abraham Attah, Idris Elba
Not Rated (Probable NC-17 for Strong War Violence including Graphic Images, Disturbing Sexual Content including Rape and Child Molestation, and for Language and Drug Use Throughout)
"Beasts of No Nation" is about a child soldier in an unnamed African country, and it's just as tough to watch as you could imagine. Or perhaps tougher. What the young hero, a boy no older than 12 named Agu (Attah), witnesses and participates in would break the heart and soul of even the strongest man. But in telling this story, director Cary Fukunaga shows no fear and holds nothing back. And as tough as this film sometimes is to watch, I thought to myself, "Good. Show it all. It makes it all the more impossible to ignore." For while "Beasts of No Nation" is fiction, it tells a story that is all too real nonetheless.
Agu is living in an unnamed African country. A brutal civil war has broken out, but Agu and his family are safe in the neutral zone. However, this doesn't last long. His mother (Ama K. Abebrese) flees with his younger siblings while he is forced to "defend" his hometown with his father (Kobina Amissah-Sam) and older brother (Francis Weddey). Everyone but Agu is slaughtered, leaving him to venture into the jungle on his own. He is found by NDF, a rebel group lead by the enigmatic Commandant (Elba). There, he finds safety, belonging, and an opportunity for revenge. But such pleasures have a price, as Agu is forced to commit unspeakable atrocities and becomes the very thing that took so much from him.
This is one of those movies where the film's impact can't be explained, only felt. Like last year's masterpiece "Dunkirk," "Beasts of No Nation" leaves you reeling. What happens in it is horrific, all the more so because we see it through the eyes of a child. Agu is not a bad kid; he loves his family and has a great sense of mischief. But when he becomes all alone in a world gone to hell, he doesn't stand a chance when he is absorbed into the NDF. His narration provides a dichotomy between his feelings and his actions so that even though he does monstrous things (and has them done to him), we still see that he is a scared little kid rather than a conscienceless monster.
Undoubtedly what makes this film work is that he is brilliantly portrayed by a young actor named Abraham Attah in a stunning debut performance. There's no rawness that often hampers child actors (or anyone appearing in front of the camera for the first time). He and his character have fused. Agu commits countless murders, including one so brutal that it caused me to look away and becomes a drug addict. But never once does he allow us to forget that he's the same kid who added something extra to his brother's shower.
His co-star, professional actor Idris Elba, is less impressive. He has presence and ability, there's no doubt about that. But Elba lacks the raw magnetism needed for this role. Elba is a character actor, not a leading man. And there are times, particularly during his speeches, where he is reaching for effect. It comes across as if he's trying to score points with critics and people who dole out the awards. He does a commendable job, but it's Attah who steals the show. Just as it should be.
The film was directed by Cary Fukunaga, a filmmaker who got his start directing the immigration drama "Sin Nombre." Fukunaga constructs this story like a biopic rather than a traditional narrative. Agu is in every scene, and it's through his eyes that we see the world he has been forced to enter. The NDF is a cross between a summer camp and a cult; that it brings to mind our summers as children adds a disturbing weight to the film that enhances the film's impact. Initially, it's fun and games (so to speak), but when reality hits, it's horrifying.
"Beasts of No Nation" was picked up by Netflix, who tried to release it in theaters and on their site at the same time. Since this eliminated the traditional 90-day window between theaters and DVD, most theater companies sensed the inevitable competition and boycotted it. That's actually a good thing. First, this isn't a movie that will draw people into the theaters. It's not that kind of movie. It's so disturbing that a more private setting would be preferable for most viewers. Second, had it gone by the MPAA, it could conceivably have been handed out an NC-17 for its content, demanding cuts that would have diluted the film's impact. As it is, Fukunaga has pushed it as far as he can go without turning off any potential audience member. As is, it's absolutely not okay for children.
"Beasts of No Nation" demands a lot out of a viewer. It's incredibly tough to watch and about 10 minutes too long. But in return you'll see a story told from a unique perspective that the world usually ignores, and you will see first-class filmmaking.
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