The Retrieval

Not often does a film focus so strongly on the complexities of one character, especially without seeming contrived or over done. This film has a simple plot, and the dilemma the young boy Will faces is straightforward, but it is played so genuinely and movingly. We learn so little of his past and yet even within the first few minutes of the film you are standing in his shoes. At first unquestioningly accepting his tenuous grip on life as he is surrounded by death and desperation, soon this develops into a profound study of the price of freedom for those who apparently have none, and how relationships with others can give freedom a value greater than life itself. The end is not necessarily a surprise (after all, he can only choose one way or the other) but the point is really the journey he makes and the changes within him as he begins to understand and grapple with his choice. The character Nate was also compelling and believable. The film feels historically authentic and is more original than most others about the plight of slaves. For this reason I preferred it to 12 years a slave. My only criticism is that some of the dialogue is poorly recorded. Outstanding.

This has to be the most beautiful movie I've seen in a long time. It's pitch perfect in almost every way.

I saw this film at the 13th Phoenix Film Festival, where it received much deserved awards for directing and the ensemble acting, as well as being voted the audience favorite.

D'JANGO UNCHAINED was about slavery, its brutality, the violence, the humiliation, and the nightmare. THE RETRIEVAL addresses slavery and allows it to be a thread to its story by neither shying away from it nor allowing it to overwhelm the narrative. It's about the bond between two characters and the sacrifices they make.

Every character is rich and real. There's humor, tragedy, a riveting story and beautiful cinematography.

This film deserves to be seen, and everyone connected to it deserves an opportunity to continue their work.

I saw this film at the Ghent (Belgium) film festival 2013, where it was part of the section American Independent. You may wrongly assume this is Django Unchained II, given the key words in the synopsis, but it is something completely different. Its main topic is not about slavery nor its embedded violence. Of course, the environment is unmistakeably derived from the end of the US Civil War, and bounty hunters looking for escaped slaves are present in a prominent role too. Nevertheless, the civil war is not the main issue in this film, but rather the unsettling circumstances and the chaos resulting from it, in which process everyone has to make difficult decisions.

The whole film kept my attention throughout the full 94 minutes running time. It perfectly showed dilemma's that are prevalent in times of war, like who to follow and who to trust. Not the ending you'd expect, however, which is a surprise until the last 5 minutes.

All in all, I cannot say I enjoyed this movie, as "enjoy" would be not the appropriate word for the subject at hand. But casting and acting are spotless, and developments are evenly paced over the time, among which a few you did not expect. I certainly felt drawn into the story along with the main characters, neither of them completely good or bad, just trying to cope with the sorry circumstances. This film ranked 11th for the audience award, score 4.28 out of 5.

There was a Q&A after the screening with director, editor and writer Chris Eska, Below paragraphs are not a review, but only reflect some notes I scribbled down during this Q&A.

Given the uncommon combination of functions, the very first question was how it is to be a director and an editor in one person. His reply sounded logical, since editing is actually where the final film is made. He admitted that it is not easy to cut away good footage. It still is a very difficult process, but marketing pressure dictates rules for the optimal feature film length.

About the writing process: It was not exactly clear from the outset that the US Civil War would become the main subject. Still on the lookout for power structures as a central theme, like in his previous films, and given the 150 years anniversary of the civil war, the chosen subject seems a natural choice only in hindsight. The additional element of black people being used to catch other blacks, just emphasizes the power structure theme, power hierarchies never being simplistic and straightforward.

About casting, especially the amazing young boy, 14 years old at the time, and his first time on screen. Looking for a suitable boy, he went to many schools 200 miles around to finally have him. Subsequently he found out what type of character the boy wanted to be. Everything he needed to play such roles, was taught him on the set. It is a delicate process since you cannot easily unlearn things.

About the obvious realism in this film, the reply was that he attempted to make a more mainstream film. Maybe the art-house variety, but still making a move in the mainstream direction, where it is most important to grab the audience. At all cost, he avoids to be constrained by a genre, like coming of age.

About filming locations: All parts of this film are shot in places that are somewhat symbolic, in the direct neighborhood of the last hold of the confederacy. It proved difficult to find natural spaces, without obvious symbols of modern times, like noises of airplanes or automobiles, or electricity poles and street lights.

This film is magnificent, it's on par with a studio film as far as the technical aspects. It's lit flawlessly, it's shot beautifully and the score is powerful. The wardrobe, props, hair and make up are all on point. It really brings you back to the civil war period. Now to the story, although intense, this is not an action film. What I mean by that is you have to be patient and let the story unfold and you will absolutely be rewarded. It's raw and dirty in a great way and it will pull at your emotions. The characters are fleshed out brilliantly, the writing is stellar all the way through. Now to the highlight of this film, the cast. I'm very familiar with Bill Oberst Jr. and I was once again pleased with what I saw. There is a certain genuine rawness to his performance and his turn in this film was no different. The entire cast is simply brilliant! I look forward to checking out what they do next. Under the guidance of writer/director Chris Eska, this journey cannot help but suck you in. Eska is someone definitely worth following. Bravo to the producers, keep your bar high.

It's 1864. Burrell is the harsh leader of a gang of bounty hunters tracking down runaway slaves. Will is a 13-year-old negro who is used as bait and spy to uncover the underground railroad. He relies on his uncle Marcus who is Burrell's slave. Burrell is looking for Nate who is digging graves for the Federals near Petersburg. Marcus and Will set off across the lines and trick Nate by telling him that his brother is dying. He agrees reluctantly to join them back across the lines but he doesn't really trust the two strangers.

This starts with a compelling, murky, complicated relationship between Burrell, Marcus and Will. I would have loved to stay with the three of them together. The road trip offers some interesting complications of its own. However, it's not as great as the opening fifteen minutes. Nevertheless, it's an unusual compelling journey.