Broken Kingdom

Found the movie after becoming of a fan of the Elijah character from "The Originals" TV series. My review is likely not objective since I normally don't give a dime about characters sporting massive beards, if not for Daniel Gillies.

That said, for other people who watch independent films because they like good drama, character studies, human stories, ... etc, do not miss this gem.

Wonderful does not begin to describe it. This movie is like a soulful poem among a sea of literature providing cheap thrills & mindless entertainment. Great camera work, sharp dialog, beautiful actors and intense acting. The plot is so simple it can be summarized into a couple of sentences, yet the talented writer/director/actor Daniel Gillies managed to fill the 90+ minutes with alternatively: suspense, amusement, chaos and sadness...

Love it. Touched by it. I need to go back to watch it again, as I'm sure there're some symbolism in there not yet registered or digested first time around.

The associated documentary "Kingdom Come" is another great little gem all by itself. Makes me feel sorry for paying merely a few bucks for hours of enjoyment plus a bit of profound enlightenment. Even more upsetting is to know the fact that: not enough people will ever come across this - a unique piece of beautiful artwork made with passion, sweat, heart, by some gifted people who went broke and almost insane for it.

As a rule, "small"-"human" dramas are not my first choice as a genre, not in books, not in theaters, not on TV, nor on the big screen. I rarely find an "action-free" or non-Sci-Fi, non epic-narrative drama which truly pulls me into its narrative. Mayhap it's my seeking escapism in the art I consume, or the fact my life experience have left me a little "bored" with the small, trivial and daily dramas we're all surrounded by... Memorable human dramas on film are quite rare with me, as such selective a viewer that I am. However, as with any rule, naturally there are exceptions... A few examples of such "small" dramatic narrative movies that actually had such an impact on me would have to be: "The Stone Angel", "Regarding Henry", "Door to door", "Kes"... and now that I've watched it - "Broken Kingdom" is the newest addition to the list...

"Broken Kingdom" portrays two intertwined stories, of no epic proportion, with a truly "small", "human" and "humane" narratives. on one hand - the display of buds of humanity and affection in a sea of cruelty in a poverty stricken 3rd world country, and on the other hand - the daily bearing of a tragic unspoken memory in PC-America.

The cast is spectacular, and I found that the visual quality of the film is impeccable - very aesthetic and precise. All in all, for the low- budget this production had, it is truly a remarkable product. The writer-director-star, Daniel Gillies, did a very good job, under all 3 of his "hats".

The story is beautifully written, the actors take you on tale filled with metaphors that scratch the surface of something deeper, and then it sneaks up on you. The camera tells a lot of the story, almost surreal in places...and then not. It's a must see. I highly recommend viewing the documentary first: "Kingdom Come" that is available at the same link. For your right to view only $8 USD and worth every penny.