PIC of the Week – Beasts of No Nation (The Criterion Collection)
Article Series by Ray Schillaci
The Criterion Collection has just released the war ravaged tale of the decimation of youth, resiliency and the ever slim chance of hope in the crosshairs of death in Netflix’s Beasts of No Nation. Cary Joji Fukanaga’s (True Detective, Sin Nombre, It) film is the winner of multiple awards with special recognition going out to an exemplary cast. The writer/director keeps us on the edge of our seat as we watch Agu, a child caught up in a terrifying civil war and turned into a soldier in an unnamed West African country.
Powerful and heart wrenching, the film displays the innocence of the villagers who have no desire to be involved and the devastation that is brought upon them. Dare I say that Fukunaga’s film is not for everyone yet it’s a film that should be seen by all to have some understanding of the plight of the peaceful people caught in the crosshairs of civil unrest. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong. Everyone pays the price and in the end it all comes down to what is the correct political move. No matter how many people die or are displaced with no regard for those who are the boots on the ground.
Agu and his family live in a village that is considered a “buffer zone” sanctioned by ECOMOG troops. The acronym for Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Groups, a formal arrangement for separate armies to work together. The village is warned of the danger when the government falls and is taken over by military aligned rebels. Rebel forces embark on the village and the only safe place is the country’s capitol.
But, the cost is high and Agu’s father has only enough money for his wife and two youngest children. This leaves Agu, his father and oldest brother facing the fighting in and around their village between rebel forces and the government. Meanwhile, the government rounds up what is left of the villagers and executes them with Agu barely escaping from the horror.
Agu falls in with a battalion of rebels of the NDF (Native Defense Forces) and their enigmatic “Commandant,” played powerfully by Idris Elba. Commandant takes a liking to Agu and introduces him to another child soldier that he greatly admires, Strika, who for some reason never speaks. Perhaps it’s the trauma of what he has already been through and what Agu will be facing. Agu’s vicious initiation into the core is an eye opener as to what is to come.
Criterion delivers a reference quality Blu that is striking from the very first shot. The clarity is uncanny and outshines what you might have seen on Netflix. The depth and sharpness are breathtaking. On the technical side this feature deserves an A+ rating.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is also exemplary. You feel like you’ve been plunged right into the war torn country with the harsh realism of gunfire. At the same time, the quiet moments are just as impressive (although some may have a hard time with the accents and subtitles are probably recommended). All in all, this lossless track is out to impress and will also be a great reference for you audiophiles.
Criterion has provided nearly two hours of special features along with a commentary by both the director and assistant director. Bonuses include:
• 3 minute original trailer
• Passion Project – exclusive new documentary on the origin of the film featuring clips from interviews with Cary Joji Fukunaga; producers Andy Kaufman, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, and Riva Marker; and actors Abraham Attah and Idris Elba.
• Cary Joji Fukunaga and Franklin Leonard – new video interview, Cary Joji Fukunaga talks about the production history of Beasts of No Nation as well as the evolution of his career and style.
• Costume Design – new video interview, costume designer Jenny Eagan discusses her contribution to the film.
• Commentary – by Cary Joji Fukunaga and assistant director Jon Mallard.
• Leaflet – an illustrated leaflet featuring Robert Daniels’ essay “A Different Kind of African War Film” as well as technical credits.
Beasts of No Nation is the most powerful depiction of the brutality of war since Roland Joffé’s The Killing Fields. It is heartbreaking, but at the same time uplifting in the end. It is also an exhausting experience made all the better with this Criterion release.
*Lowest Price – $27.99 – Amazon & Walmart
Or, you could wait for Barnes & Noble’s Criterion 1/2 price sale in November and get it at $19.99
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
