Not the best review- Kangamba

1. How does the film, Kangamba, show Cuban internationalism in Angola?

>The movie is about the politic of "Cuba must help the third world". Angola had internal struggles in which Cuba helped. They lend a hand with medical health services, education and (of course) their army to fight help in the war. The FAR was the Cuban army that tried to help Angola to get the Portuguese out of the country (or at least controlling it).

You could say that this is a propagandistic movie, because it was made by a Cuban director (Rogelio Paris), and in my point of view, it tries to glorify their people using the battle of Cangamba (place) to excuse the motivation of patriotis/nacionalism.

2. What was the most impactful scene for you? Why?

>I think that two segments can be the best scenes in the movie. The first one is when the Mario wakes up because of a bombing. Then the focus is the people and is running terrified for their lives. It's a powerful scene trying to show that war isn't something great nor pretty, that war can consume lives of innocent people and take places, memories and future.

The second scene is a follow up between the two forces fighting, the soldiers screaming and there is no music. Then the planes take out the enemy. It's a simple scene in my opinion, yet great, because it shows how fragile can the people be even with guns in their hands.

3. What was something you like and something you disliked about the film? Why?

>I really disliked and liked the film at the same time. I appreciate the fact that they tried to go for a film that wanted to be serious in all ways, but the problem is that the film itself tries too hard do be something that it can't be. The characters are just bad, they are just because the movie needs people on it. Mario dissapeared for about an hour and when he shows up he dies. I can understand the motive of the director making him go to the village and show that war can change places and it destroys everything and all that, but Mario stays there for some days to have any feeling.

The execution is a mess, they spent the budget in explosions and the CGI (oh boy) was something that made me laugh. 

But I gotta admit that the fight scenes are pretty good, the director made a good job making me feel the tension in the firefights, they felt real , the explosions are on point and the sound design (except for the free tracks and sounds) is excelent.

"When good intentions go bad.- The movie"

Not the best review- Catch a fire

   1. In general, what did you like and dislike about the film?

I really liked the film overall, specially the first half. It was a portrait of a man that was trying to not bother anyone and live a normal life. Patrick Chamusso, the protagonist, felt like a real person , he had the goal to live with his family (however cheating on his wife) , enjoyed his hobby that was teaching kids about soccer and doing his job in the oil refinery. I really liked that he had a turning point when his wife , Precious, was punished for nothing and he decided to go against the intelligence service.

In my opinion the big flaw of the movie is the second half. It felt like a "hollywood movie" altogether, something that wasn't meant to be or you don't expect with the first half. The second part is faster and full of action, while the first part felt more real. The fight scenes and the last part (the climax in the refinery) felt too staged.

  2.  Who was the character you like the most and the character you liked the least in the film? Why?

Patrick was the best character in the movie (well, he is the protagonist after all). He had a clear motive to go against the "system". You could sympathise with him before and after the his change of view (I mean, living a "normal" life and want the freedom of the people). He had to endure a lot to get to be the man that was by the end of the movie, a brave soldier that can risk everything to get the better for everyone.

On the other hand Nic Vos was the least character that i liked and it wasn't because of the acting, it was because of the way he was. The actor did such a great job making me hate him. How do I know that? I couldn't stand that he was trying to get Patrick. He was such a horrible man, but a good antagonist.

3. What was the role of Samora Machel, the FRELIMO, and revolutionary Mozambique in the struggle against the South African apartheid? Use examples from the film and the biography of Samora Machel

Samora Machel was the first president of Mozambique after forming the FRELIMO, that was the Front of Liberation of Mozambique. In this case the island was being ruled by Portuguese that were abusing the people and he led the people into a guerrilla that ended up liberating that zone. We can compare the movement of FRELIMO to the ANC that wanted the liberation of Africa . Fun thing is that the protagonist (Patrick) ends up in Mozambique and Angola training for the purpose of fighting for freedom.