Phroggy

This movie meant a lot to me, because I was twenty at the time and too caught up in other things to join the march. Well this movie could be called a comedy : the protagonist are first are not pasonarias, but fits the comedic trope of nice doofus caught up in something bigger than them. The cast is stellar (PHilippe Nahon has never been better, he should have got a supporting role César) and extremely funny until things speeds up, and at that point, you don't feel like you are watching actors playing characters but being with real folks. The movie steadfastly refuses to point any "good" or "bad" stereotypes (the question is even courageously adressed several times), some of our protagonist are flawed, just like any human beings. For those who complained rightfully about a rosy ending, the final cartoons (maybe not translated) do point out that the "walkers" felt rightfully cheated of what they stood for. The single fact that the thirtyeth birthday of the walk was ignored by the local medias, too busy sucking fascists d**k, tells a lot. Unlike aforementioned fascists (who don't give a beep about any country, they just want to get rid of "those who are not like ME ME ME), I love my country and hope I've done my tiny part, even if it can't compare to the walker's courage. Wherever you are, for what it's worth, you have my admiration ! And thanks to M. Ben Yadir for the reminder.

Seems only us frogs saw this movie, huh ? One point is that this movie is the director of the astonishing "Jaka Sembung" with Barry Prima, a theatrical release under the title "Le guerrier" which became a cult movie and spawned several sequels show in double-feature shows when there was still such things (some obviously of the Godfrey Ho persuasion, mixing two different footage together). Seems the director wanted to repeat this hit… But only ripped himself off, with pizza-faced Hay taking the role of Barry Prima. It's a "nanar" indeed, especially since Putra is a relatively competent director ! Gee, now I'll go check nanarland to see if they reviewed this one

Okay, I liked this movie. Very much. Maybe as a fan of everything (well, most) things British. It even went ways I would not have foreseen : there IS one death in the end, but not the one I had foreseen, and not in the way I had predicted. Also, though highly indifferent to anything soccer so I can't tell if it's true, I liked how they showed that those hooligans are in fact functional, hold jobs, but are addicted to violence and the men bonding that results. BUT… (Possible spoilers) The ending left me wondering, as it seems to be gloryfying petty, ugly violence as a way of life. Do you really learn anything from hanging with a crowd of drunken louts fighting for the most stupid reason, if they need one ? Then going into "Rumble Fish" territory with an ex-member who comes back for more ? I understand the director — who did an excellent job — is a woman and an ex-fighter. As an ex-martial arts practicionner myself who hates violence (those who tried martial arts will understand that it's not contradictory), I'd think she'd know better. And the revenge angle in the last minutes felt more like a Hollywood convention. Yes, he did not beat the crap out of the other guy, but went out with aforementioned drunken louts' hymn, for Pete's sake ! Don't know. It's a good movie, with powerful performances and a few contrievance, but I guess I liked "The football factory" better. It showed how those louts don't even need football as an excuse, crass violence is all those hooligans losers need