November 19, 2015 Page 5 Film Review Beasts of No Nation- A Gripping, Provocative Look at War and Child Soldiers By H. Nelson Tracey for CINEMACY Because we don’t see films in a vacuum, any story that carries social or political weight requires an extra step of scrutiny. This isn’t to dampen the experience, but to verify the Abraham Attah and Idris Elba in Beasts of No Nation. Courtesy of Netflix. authenticity of a cinematic experience. Beasts of No Nation is based on a novel carefully compiling numerous true accounts merged into the story of a child solider. An element worth dissecting is that this story does not take place in a specific location, instead opting for an unnamed African country. This has two potential effects. On the positive side, it makes the story and experience universal, as similar situations have happened in numerous central and western African countries. On the contrary, by making the setting not a country in particular but a generic “Africa,” it continues an unfortunate American way of painting a massive continent with a single brush stroke. For as unique a story as this is, it only furthers the trend in viewing Africa as a broad country instead of a massive continent with numerous truths and stories within. This is a debate I don’t know the answer to, whether the universal nature of the story trumps its broad stroke of the continent. What about the movie itself? The story structure in Beasts is that of Pinocchio or more recently, 12 Years a Slave in terms of an innocuous individual getting swept into something horrific. In the beginning, our protagonist, Agu (Abraham Attah), is a boy living with a loving family. As civil war and unrest infiltrate their lives, it isn’t long before Agu is separated from his family and driven into a journey of the horrific world of warfare where children fight alongside adults as soldiers. After all he’s been through, it isn’t hard for the rebel army to persuade him into actually wanting to be a solider (even though he doesn’t have another choice). At the top of the army is the unnamed Commandant (Idris Elba). You’d expect this character to be a single stroke of evil, but he isn’t. He’s charismatic, he expresses interest and care in his soldiers, and he gives them a reason to fight. It’s even more terrifying that he is impressionable and even affable than if he were a terrorizing menace: in this world, he makes what they are doing seem okay, even though it is as nightmarish as you might anticipate. In the middle of the film, we see this unsettling balance between the camaraderie and brotherhood of an army, in the backdrop of an absolutely sickeningly war. Much credit is given to the soundtrack, which is one of the best in recent memory. Because this is not a film with a plot or a driving story, but is more of a journey through the madness, it evokes you to think about the story in a larger context. This also makes it arduous to endure through (and its runtime is well over two hours), but that is undoubtedly the intention. It is not a film for the light-hearted, nor would it ever be. Alas, although this story is fiction, this has been crafted to highlight the many facets of the child solider journey. Director Cary Fukunaga is also the cinematographer: therefore the camera work here is always on display. Numerous tracking shots expose the grandiose artistry at work and adds to the hypnotic nature of this warfare. The static shots are equally well composed. A provocative opening shot challenges the viewer to think about what they are watching, and how they are watching it. Is this entertainment? As affluent viewers (especially those on Netflix), how is this to be viewed? In this case, it is as important as the film itself to think about the social impact of this film. How can this film benefit a tragic, ongoing situation in a continent many Americans know little about is a question worth a further discussion. I don’t have the answer, but I urge anyone who sees this film to go into Beasts of No Nation looking for their answer to this question. Beasts of No Nation is a Netflix Original film and is available for streaming on Netflix. • Seniors Educational Events Connect Local Parkinson’s Communities With Resources And Support resources available to benefit local patients. “My dad is very active in his own disease care, but it hasn’t always been easy to find the right resources, and not everyone managing Parkinson’s disease has the support they need,” Kate says. “These events offer patients from early to advanced stages of the disease the chance to connect with a community of support, which is crucial with a complex disease like Parkinson’s.” The educational events are free of charge and feature panel discussions on the variability of PD, the latest updates in research toward improved treatments, and how to make the most of an appointment with a movement disorder specialist (a neurologist with specialized training in Parkinson’s disease). Breakout sessions cover how to build a health care team that addresses the many aspects of life with Parkinson’s and offer the opportunity for attendees to submit their own questions about the disease to a panel of experts. At the event’s resource fair, patients and caregivers can connect with local support and exercise groups, health care providers and advocacy organizations, all based in their own local community. Debi Brooks, co-founder and executive vice chairman of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, says the events have fostered new connections within Parkinson’s communities. “We’re excited to be connecting with patients and caregivers around the country - many of whom are new to us and have never had a chance to be at an event like this,” Brooks said. “Once folks come out, they’re amazed at the information and support that’s available to help them live well at every stage of Parkinson’s.” To find an upcoming event near you, visit www.partnersinparkinsons.org. • (BPT) - More than one year ago, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and AbbVie launched Partners in Parkinson’s, a strategic health initiative to provide resources to help the nearly 1 million Americans living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) optimize their care and live well with the disease. To date, nearly 8,500 people have attended Partners in Parkinson’s events across the country, and the free, day-long program is coming to one more location in 2015, and six additional U.S. cities on Saturdays in 2016. Parkinson’s is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease with highly variable symptoms and progression. No two cases of PD are alike, making personalized care essential to better long-term outcomes. Yet, too few patients and their caregivers connect with resources that help them understand their care options and tailor a plan that evolves as the disease progresses. A 2014 Harris Poll survey found fewer than half of Parkinson’s patients and caregivers feel informed about where to turn for support. Partners in Parkinson’s events take place on Saturdays and offer a comprehensive full-day program designed to help patients and families learn more about the disease, including what to expect as the disease progresses from a new diagnosis to more advanced stages. Event attendees have shared overwhelmingly positive experiences and report feeling more empowered after connecting with local Parkinson’s specialists and learning how they can get involved in their own PD community. Pennsylvania resident Kate Harmon’s father, Bob Harmon, was diagnosed with PD in 2006 at age 58. Kate and Bob attended the Partners in Parkinson’s event in Philadelphia last year and were amazed 7.0 by in. the support and be a dad today. Take time to Cal l 877- 4DAD411 o r v i s it www. f a t h e r h o o d . g o v 0015_Half_MagBW 7.0 in. 4.875 in. be a dad today. Take time to Cal l 877- 4DAD411 o r v i s it www. f a t h e r h o o d . g o v 4.875 in.
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