Carlos

Olivier Assayas, that astonishingly versatile director, has given us a film about Ilich Ramirez called Carlos. I found a lot of pleasure in the details: for example the singalong by Venezuelan and other exiles in a Paris apartment that turns into a bloodbath when the police enter and try to detain Carlos. The nervous hand-held camera work as the mayhem begins is most effective. The center-piece of any film about Middle Eastern terrorism must be the OPEC hostage taking, and this event Assayas depicts very well.

Carlos made me think of the political dramas the Italians used to do so well: The Mattei Affair and Exquisite Corpses by Rosi, The Battle of Algiers by Pontecorvo. I would give it a higher mark if the running time were not so excessive. The truth is that the last thirty years of this man's life have been pretty uneventful, and don't merit the outlay in time.

Ilich Ramírez Sánchez aka Carlos the Jackal, Venezuelan (but educated in communist USSR), was the most notorious terrorist in Europe and some Africa and Middle East countries.

Affiliated with the Palestinian / anti-Zionism cause and justice and equality for the people; he publicly proclaim some of Ernesto "CHE" Guevara's socialist concepts; however comparing these two different characters will be a huge mistake. While the later was driven by ideals and passion; Carlos was mostly moved by his egomaniacal needs of power, notoriety and money.

Olivier Assasyas did a deep historical analysis of Carlos' trajectory during a period of about 20 years. In order to produce a continuity he tied real events from the seventies mid nineties (sme using reel footage others dramatized) with fictional "what if" situations (showing interactions and negotiations with different people and powers). Whatever really happened in those meetings can only be guessed based in subsequent events. The final product is almost perfect. Carlos emerges as a very complex character. He was mercenary, ambitious and power hungry person; very cold but a very smart. He is never shown as a coward but he was not always on the front line either. When he is asked to be killed for "the cause", he states "I am a soldier not a martyr" he states when he is asked to be killed by "the cause". He used people (particularly women) that were easily seduced by his discourse (it seems his sexual life was really over the top) for minor actions but he was there in the most important ones like the OPEC kidnapping. Edgar Ramirez is outstanding as the main character; speaking several languages with ease and convincing in all of them. His charisma stays even when he is doing hideous statements or acts or beating a woman. This movie could not exist without him.

However, this five and a half hours TV mini-series (it can also be viewed in cinemas as three hours movie) is not really a Carlos' biopic but a serious essay about modern terrorism. Carlos was (and he knew that) just a famous puppet. He was an instrument until the end of Cold War; then was kept "protected" by different countries until his knowledge was outdated. After that he was betrayed by his contractors and imprisoned by the French government (he was only judged by the killing of two police officers and is currently serving life prison).

USA FCC censorship will never allow this movie to be shown in public TV as it was in Europe (there is nudity and swearing all over). It is really a pity because young people should see this to understand the difference between fight and manipulation.

A reviewer (understandably) posted a comment that indicated the US censorship forces would not allow this series to be shown on mass market outlets such as major cable TV networks. I include an excerpt from this person's review below: "USA FCC censorship will never allow this movie to be shown in public TV as it was in Europe (there is nudity and swearing all over). It is really a pity because young people should see this to understand the difference between fight and manipulation." I am happy to report that the major cable TV network, Time Warner cable TV, is showing this series now on its "on-demand" channels, which is very convenient for viewing. I saw evidence that the series was not substantially edited in that frontal male nudity was shown (a US taboo) and also the length of the 3-part series seems consistent with the most nearly complete versions of this series. This is of course not proof that nothing was edited, but it is encouraging. I hope this information is helpful to others!

When you want to make a movie of a notorious terrorist responsible for many innocent lives, it is a very difficult task: If you portray him in a romantic way you will be accused of glorifying an evil man, while if you portray him in a dark light you will be accused of blind fanaticism.

Director Olivier Assayas has managed to strike a fine balance between these two extremes, and thus he recounts the story of Carlos in an objective and cool-headed way which fascinates the viewer from the beginning to the very end. The story begins with Carlos entering the world of terrorism as a young idealist, and ends with his capture at a time when he has become a corrupt and hedonist man. Throughout this time frame, Assayas shows us the story of a man, who despite his horrendous crimes, his life is really intriguing to watch.

Edgar Ramirez is excellent in the central role, but the important thing in this film is that actually EVERYONE in the film is excellent in his/her role: The acting is superb all around, and at some point it begins to feel as if you are watching a documentary with real terrorists on the screen instead of actors. The direction is also superb, with the the pace being constantly fast and coherent.

A great film to watch. 10/10.

Much will be said about this tour de force. A compilation of unbelievable acts of heroic madness. A caption at the beginning of he film warn us that "it should be treated as a work of fiction" Well, thank you very much. What makes this extraordinary achievement, truly extraordinary is Edgar Ramirez. A monumental performance that allows us to make sense of the man. Revolution is in his DNA but so fragile. His ego makes him corruptible and his nature swings between the extremes of an idealist and a sociopath. I was riveted and appalled. I had DVR all three episodes to watch at my leisure but once I started I couldn't stop watching. So I saw the whole thing in one sitting and it went fast very fast. That in itself is extraordinary. So, not to be missed.