FilmFlaneur

If like me you like police procedurals but haven't seen any set in the African topics, then Indomptables (Eng: Untamable) is for you. Cameroon is the backdrop for this tale set around the shooting of a police officer, the dogged search reasons for why and the culprits by troubled Commissaire Zachary Billong. The mystery itself is reasonably satisfying and proficiently solved, and works well enough with some expected twists, while Hollywood-style car chases and extended shoot outs are notable by their absence. But the film is more than that; it is also about Billong's family life, in particular his relationships with his wife, delinquent son and estranged daughter. It also has some direct commentary to make on the state of the country, Cameroon ("what a country") seen by turn as a place of power cuts, inefficiencies and casual violence - the hero's boss is more worried about possible deaths of suspects in custody rather than the face of police brutality - and corruption. As Commissaire Zachary Billong, Thomas Ngijol is a quietly impressive presence, also being responsible for the script and direction. Given that his previous work has mostly lain in comedies and under the radar, his efforts here in front of, and behind the camera can be accounted overall a modest success and is recommended.

An Indian Malayalam-language independent 'action thriller survival film', In it a bull escapes from slaughter in a remote hilly village and the villagers set out to hunt it down. The hunt reveals greed in an escalating situation of violence, and hysteria. Ultimately it is not the cow which is out of control, but the absurdity of human nature shown in the pursuing and competing mob. If you enjoyed the jaw dropping crescendo of irrationality of Aronofsky's Mother! (2017) say, then this is the film for you. After seeing this I was compelled to see other of Pellissery's films that I could find. None of the two of three I have seen are as audacious as this, but the gangsterish Angamaly Diaries is very good (featuring as its conclusion a remarkable Steadycam extended single shot sequence, involving dozens of actors) although his latest Malaikottai Vaaliban Melton was a bit disappointing. But the director is one to watch - and Malayam cinema something to explore if, unheralded, it can throw up a tour-de-force like this,