Out of the Village

Ebola affecting a village. A boy and his sister. In quarantine . looking for respect the tradition. Well crafted, proposing beautiful performances of young actors and a dramatic, precise story. Inspired portrait of a world. And a wise science to give a story who, "ad usum Delphini", reminds a page of recent past in right manner.

'OUT OF THE VILLAGE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A 17-minute short film, filmed in West Africa (with local actors, and crew). The short tells the story of a boy, and his sister, who are quarantined in a West African city, when the rest of their village is killed by Ebola. It stars Abraham Attah (who also played the lead in 'BEASTS OF NO NATION'), Hannah Attah and Kobina Amissah- Sam (who also costarred in 'BEASTS OF NO NATION'). The film was co- written, produced and directed by first time filmmaker Jonathan Stein. Luke A. Renner also co-wrote the movie (who's a first time screenwriter as well). Bryan Singer (of 'X-MEN' and 'USUAL SUSPECTS' fame) executive produced the short (Attah and Singer have worked together before, on three other films). I found it to be one of the best dramatic short films at the Portland Film Festival. It's a very fascinating look (although brief) at life, in another part of the world. Attah (once again) gives a very impressive, and moving, performance as well; and Stein shows a lot of promise as a debut filmmaker. I enjoyed it.

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This last year, "Body Team 12" was nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary Short. It's tough to watch but is about a team whose job it is to clean up after Ebola outbreaks. Not pleasant stuff by any standard. "Out of the Village" covers much the same material but is fictional...and a lot easier to watch.

The film is about a young boy and his younger sister. When the film begins, they are the only ones left in their small village...and their parents had just died from Ebola. Whether or not they've contracted the illness is uncertain...but what is certain is that the children are terrified when they are taken into custody. Not surprisingly, they soon escape...as they must get home to fulfill their obligation to their parents and their memory.

The film manages to take a tough subject and humanize it as well as present a very watchable and compelling story. Well worth seeing and exceptionally well made.