devilbot

I loved the way this movie presented the controversy over Adams photographs by allowing the different perspectives to state their positions and impressions without interruption nor extraneous commentary. The film makers camera seems to pierce the photographs and show the context, which the still camera obscures. Children with facial disfigurements are photographed by Adams and frankly in these photos, they are uncomfortable to look at. But in this documentary, the subjects are seen playing and interacting with their family and their playful demeanour and the acceptance that they have from their family makes you not seem them as objects of pity. Despite this, it should be noted that this is not a hatchet job on Mr. Adams, and he is clearly given his space to speak and his arguments are valid and he is certainly not demonized. This is the genius of this movie; it moves from a specific example of possible misrepresentation of a group to analyze the relationship of artists and their subject. Fantastically subtle.

A marvelous film that examines maturing youth within the context of political activism. The movie focuses on the emotional turmoil of teenage Nadia as she begins to develop adult emotions. While I'm sure some may concentrate on her sexual awakening, what is far more intriguing is her movement from her family's values and an understanding of her place in the world as part of a political system to an introspective person, who ironically matures by becoming less sure of herself. As she sheds family apron strings and the blanket of political ideology she becomes vulnerable and in acknowledging this becomes a women.