Mimosas

It is said by some that "Mimosas" is a 'contemporary Moroccan western' and why not. Over the decades we have come to learn that the Western is as much a state of mind as it is a genre and that it is not rooted in any particular time or place. The Western tropes apparent in "Mimosas" are a journey on horseback through mountainous terrain, in this case by three men tasked with taking the body of a dead sheik to his place of burial, (Tommy Lee Jones covered similar territory in the much more traditional "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada"), together with a few gun attacks and a couple of killings. Indeed, were it not for an early sequence in a city or town involving a fleet of taxis we might be back two centuries and, if not in the American West, at least in recognizable 'Western' terrain and in one scene near the end of the film we could even be back 2,000 years.

In some respects you could say not a great deal happens, at least not conventionally, in Oliver Laxe's film, (it's only his second), and yet this is so much more than a beautifully photographed travelogue, (Laxe shot the film on location mostly in the Atlas mountains). There is an almost profound sense of both joy and sadness in the relationship that develops between the three men and their strange cargo as well as genuine sense of mystery, (many events are left unexplained). Laxe also gets wonderful performances from Ahmed Hammoud as the man who agrees to take the body in the first place and from Shakib Ben Omar as the little runt who proves to have a lot more going for him than meets the eye, (neither men are professional actors though Shakib did appear in Laxe's first film). There are also scenes here of such pure physicality that they almost rival those in "Aguirre, Wrath of God". I have yet to see Laxe's earlier "You are all Captains" but "Mimosas" certainly heralds the arrival of a major player in world cinema.

Morocco has - of late - been a major player in recent Arab cinema. Given the number of great films it has produced in recent years, I was expecting a great movie. I was sorely disappointed.

The movie revolves around a caravan wandering into the Atlas mountains, its' main aim to help a dying elderly sheikh to pass away and be buried in his native village. Death, however, has other plans, claiming the sheikh around twenty minutes into the film. At this point, the majority of the caravan backs out and leaves. The rest of the film follows the remaining members who uphold their end of the deal and persevere through the mountains with the sheikh's corpse.

The only plus in the movie is its' camera work, the focus being on the breathtaking majestic natural landscapes, often with a sulking face in the foreground. However, if I had wanted to see sulking faces against gorgeous backgrounds, I would probably visit a photo exhibition.

The film offers no shortage of flaws, including a deafening absence of music (amplifying the boredom ten-fold), wooden acting and occasional bleating by a rather lack-lustre cast (with the exception of Shakib), and a limited dialogue, with painfully long pauses in between each character's lines. Moreover, the entire plot, which could have easily been made into a 40 minute episode, was dragged out for FAR TOO LONG. Let's just say that death claimed the cinema audience's attention way before it claimed the sheikh's soul. I was later shocked that the film was one hour and thirty six minutes; it felt more like an eternity of boredom.

From the get-go, it was obvious that this film was aimed at international film festivals (I saw this film in one of those festivals). I could even picture artsy European hipsters saying 'Oh my God, this is so ethnic!'. Despite this, the film makes numerous religious allusions that - if not viewed by an Arabic/Muslim audience - will leave international audiences in the dark. A rather exclusive move that will probably not bode well in a non Middle- Eastern context.

Overall, this film is a perfect example of the stereotypical 'pretentious art film' that you will probably watch just once (hopefully never) unless you a) have an incurable case of insomnia or b) intend to spoil a perfectly good movie night.

I second the reviewer above in demanding my time back.

An agreeable and interesting drama/adventure in Western style with splendid cinematography and gorgeous outdoors from a special place in contemporary Morocco in which a caravan of travelers searches for a pass that will allow them to return an ailing elderly Sufi master to his home to die . An attractive and sensitive story starred by unexperienced but good protagonists and including spectacular outdoors from mountains Atlas, Morocco . Among the party is Ahmed, a rogue and a survivor, who is willing to do whatever it takes to rise up from his unfortunate condition . Ahmed is particularly inspired by the Sufi master , and, upon the old man's death, he has taken the lead of the risky expedition . On his journey, he receives the assistance of Shakib, a young man sent on a mission.

Rural tale set in the High Atlas Mountains at an indeterminate time in the past, including wonderful landscapes , nicely starred and being compellingly directed by Oliver Laxe . This is an enjoyable and intense adventure that follows an expedition throughout dangerous and mountainous landscapes and a particular relationship between the strange characters . Its style is pretty much rural and realistic as well in the atmosphere as in the fresh dialog ; in addition, the plot bears certain resemblance and in similar style to ¨Tommy Lee Jones's The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada¨. This film describes the exploits of a group of travelers led by Ahmed who becomes aware of his own innate abilities and takes up the leadership of the caravan by crossing hard , steep and risky roads , including a brieg character studio of local people and an agreeable relationship among villagers . This provoking drama to be a deep reflection about the human , concerning a group of travelelers , being main aim to help a dying elderly sheikh to pass away and be buried in his native village . This charming film is a touching and sensitive adventurous drama with elevated cinematographic values . The protagonist results to be a ¨Quixote¨ who obstinately undertakes a perilous journey whose objective looks to fulfill the promise by whatever means . The movie shows the different characters and explores their apprehension , ambitions , fears and circumstances . Well played by newcomers who in spite of their unexperience give acceptable interpretations.

Good production design and correctly reflecting the atmosphere by that time and excellent location . Splendid photography with juicy atmosphere by Mauro Herce , a great cameramen of the Spanish cinema . Being appropriately filmed on location , showing one colorful filming from mountains Atlas , Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou, Marrakech, Morocco . Adding evocative and spiritual musical score , along with song Sinai written by Al Cisneros performed by Om ,courtesy of Drag City Records . Mimosas was originally directed by Oliver Laxe . His most succesful film is ¨Lo que arde (2019) " in Spanish,¨O que Arde¨or "What It Burns" that won several awards and nominations , such as : Cannes Film Festival 2019 Winner Un Certain Regard Jury Prize : Oliver Laxe. Chicago International Film Festival 2019 Winner Best Sound Design , best sound mixer , sound editor . Oliver Laxeis a director and actor, known for Mimosas (2016), Lo que arde (2019) and Todos vosotros sois capitanes (2010). As this ¨Mimosas¨won numerous prizes and nominations , such as : Almeria Western Film Festival 2017 Winner Grand Jury Award , Award for Technical Artistic Contribution to the Western genre sound designer Emilio García Rivas , Special Jury Award to the best Neowestern Featured Film Oliver Laxe , Best Performance Shakib Ben Omar , Best Cinematography . Mauro Herce . Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 2017 Winner Special Mention Avant Garde and Genre Oliver Laxe. Cairo International Film Festival 2016 Winner Best Actor Shakib Ben Omar , Golden Pyramid Best Film Oliver Laxe. Cannes Film Festival 2016 Winner Critics Week Grand Prize. Festival de cine de Zaragoza 2016 Winner Special Mention Oliver Laxe. International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 2017 Winner Youth Jury - Fiction Special Mention Oliver Laxe. Mestre Mateo Awards 2017 Winner Best Director , Best Production Manager Felipe Lage Coro, Nominee Mestre Mateo Best Screenplay.

I want my time back. There is maybe 10 minutes of story. This movie could have five minutes and it would tell everything that happens. I don't get this idea of insanely long takes of people walking in a desert, other people sitting in silence inside traveling vehicles or dialogues that takes 30 seconds between every line. OK, I get the idea of different landscapes and cultures, blablabla but I have better things to do.

My heading says it all. Although the scenery is beautiful, I must admit that I don't understand the messages throughout this film and if there is any message the film is supposed to leave me with. Yes, the scenery is beautiful and beautifully filmed, the actors and some scenes made impressions on me, but overall I don't understand the relationships between varying scenes and the overall point of the film.