Luce

Souleymane Cisse's groundbreaking feature makes no concessions to Western attitudes or tastes, but why should it? It's a truly African experience, made from a totally native perspective and set in a timeless, pre-colonial landscape, where sorcery and enchantment are merely extensions of natural law. The story unfolds in the epic tradition of true mythology, with the young son of a despotic tribal magician embarking on a fabulous quest for wisdom and enlightenment, which in the end will not only bring him face to face with his powerful father but usher him into manhood as well. There's a genuine sense of discovery to the film, both for its visionary depiction of Bambara tribal folklore, and also in the thrill of witnessing a local African production break into the international arena. Unlike other examples of Third World cinema this is no simple, primitive anthropology lesson, but a handsome, sophisticated motion picture every bit as luminous as the title suggests.

See this film! A gorgeous use of cinema from an African point-of-view. There is almost no music track which helps to emphasize the wide open spaces of the African desert. Very simple but effective use of reverse film technique for supernatural effects. A very stunning film for the adventurous filmgoer.

Here is a great opportunity. The chance to discover how human beings were BEFORE getting trapped in the WEB (excuse the pun) of technology. Man's respect and position in/for nature, reminiscent of those ties which still (barely) exist amidst the Maoris and Eskimoes, and the surviving Indios. Africa, the mother of mankind. Magic, NOT as Hollywood sees it. And for N.Y. intellectuals and Viennese literati, a Freudian twist which is as old as Mythology. The Father/Son clash. This ranks alongside the best of Satyajit Ray, and , in some ways, shares his themes. This is Brother Africa as Ray is Sister India. This is the intense celebration of Man's strength, and of his weakness. An African masterpiece. A patient sequence of revelations. A real JEWEL. And if you are here, you are either a lucky newcomer or a lucky viewer. Thankyou Sissé. Thankyou Africa!

This is not a "proper" review at all. But I strongly feel that people should be forewarned about actual animal cruelty, and this film features an animal being burned to death and screaming in pain as it dies.

I can't score the film, as I did not watch it past the animal torture (which was the very first scene). I wish I had known about this content before I started the film.

Yeelen is a film that's very difficult to describe, and that wouldn't sound appealing to most even if one can. One thing that can't be denied however is that it's fascinating, not just the events in the movie itself but the experience of watching it. The oddly dynamic and hypnotic visuals, strange often abstract plot, and complete antipathy towards traditional western standards of storytelling. At first I wasn't sure what to make of the film, but when I witnessed the films final shot I came to appreciate it. Maybe not understand it all thematically, but appreciate it none the less. It certainly made me curious to learn more about African cinema. And ignoring the story entirely the movie still works on a purely technical standpoint, gorgeous cinematography especially.