Set against the backdrop of the Gold Coast of West Africa in 1876, "Abina and the Important Men" follows the harrowing true story of Abina Mansah, a young girl who is enslaved and struggles against the British colonial system that seeks to control trade and manipulate local customs for its own benefit. Despite the abolition of slavery, Abina finds herself trapped in a society where the trade in slaves, particularly children, persists under the guise of protectorate laws. After being sold and forced to marry against her will, Abina flees to seek her freedom and confronts the British legal system. Her battle for justice is a poignant narrative that exposes the hypocrisy of the colonial powers and the resilience of those who fought against their oppression. Told through stunning animation, the film is a compelling historical drama that delves into the complexity of freedom, colonialism, and the human spirit's unyielding desire for autonomy and dignity.
A lonely walk home is intertwined with an underwater fantasy world. The relationship between reality and fantasy is portrayed in a love letter addressed to an imaginary "perfect" man. The film displays a critical, female point of view on the idea of romantic modern love in western society. Its main purpose is to dismantle the "knight in shining armor" myth.
A piece of paper is divided by hand into an even number of pieces and then reassembled. A photograph of this finished composition is then printed and divided again. This makes the impossible possible, tearing the now included empty spaces that make up the tears in the paper. This feedback division process is repeated while the number of imprecise manual divisions gradually increase. Everything is created by division.
In an uncertain future, a group of crazy and less than obedient squad, fight the great war. This league of misfits uses humor to get along the hard life of a soldier. In spite of the constant teasing, this fraternity look up to each other in hard time.
Life is certainly stranger than fiction. Even if he’d tried, filmmaker Sheldon Cohen couldn’t have made up the events that led to his being rushed to an Emergency room one sunny summer afternoon. This is the true story of “a nice Jewish boy with Buddhist inclinations” who should have been the last person in the world to need cardiac surgery.
According to the justice of the Wild West, thieves must be punished. But when the sheriff's horse breaks, and there is no-one to oversee justice, it's hard to forecast if justice stays justice.
In the mid 19th century, the hermit kingdom of Korea will do anything to keep foreigners and Christianity out. However, one brave missionary will do anything to bring the light of God into this dark land. With the help of some Korean fishermen hungry for truth, Robert Jermain Thomas risks everything to smuggle in a treasure beyond all imagination. But what will his bravery cost him? And will the Word of God bring light to this dark kingdom?
On a magical volcanic island that’s about to erupt, a tigress is relentlessly pursued by a lustful white tiger. Director Anna Katalin Lovrity’s bold shapes and vivid use of colour recall the cut-out artworks of Henri Matisse, that are a joy to watch on the big screen, whilst also cleverly presenting an uncomfortable subtext in a drama about natural forces.
Iwasaki’s ink oscillates like an evil lava lamp that might actually be alive and its progression into more and more disturbing images create an impressive sense of dread in a film that is basically just some pencil drawings on a blank background. (Film School Rejects)