Canary

"Before soon he is drafted, but because of his music talent, he joins the SADF Choir and Concert group, known as the 'Canaries', hence the title in Afrikaans. What happens after is a rite-of-passage that eventually makes him ascertain and come to terms with his sexuality, the emotional spectrum ranges from confusion, struggle, anguish to defiance, ebullience and solidarity, interspersed with beatific choir melodies and other philharmonic interludes."

read my full review on my blog: Cinema Omnivore, thanks.

This is one of those rare gems of cinema that you don't encounter very often. I cried throughout the film. Its inedible.

This movie takes us back to the bad old days of the early 80s when being gay filled boys with terror and self loathing. Not very promising as story lines go. What makes it watchable is the setting, which is in a christian choir group in the South African army in the apartheid era. The teenage boys are Bible carrying innocents, constantly bullied by typically horrible army sergeant. They tour the country, bringing solace and cheer to families whose sons are in the army. They're hosted by local families wherever they go, which gives the film a chance to present various facets of South African society. Johan, the main protagonist is redeemed by the music of Culture Club, but he agonises over the fact that Boy George doesn't come out as gay, though his friend Wolfgang assures him he is! Johan and Wolfgang spend nights together but go no further than kissing. And so it goes, on and on.

The beauty in independent films is shown when the entire cast and crew believes in the project. Overall, I gave this film two thumbs up because it kept my attention engaged and there weren't dull moments involved in anyway I for one I'm looking forward to some of the other projects that this Director has in store. I mean in all honesty it is not the best but it isn't half bad either and it's definitely worth the watch. Once this movie gets to it and it does have a bit of a slow start but once you get to the plot, it really begins to all unfold in a timely manner and all the pieces begin to come together there's some great shots some really good cinematic storyline, and the film in its entirety really gets the message across.

Kudos to the cast and crew, job well done and I would definitely recommend this film to this who are junkies of the horror genre.

The only problem with this movie is that the English subtitles will never do justice to the expressive dialogue in the Afrikaans language and the culture of the Afrikaans dominated defense force of the time. A rare insight into the internal dilemma of a young man, from a small town with big city ideas, forced into a situation (conscription to the armed forces) and finding that he is not alone.