Burning Sands

The world of fraternities is a closed, alien one to people like me - a Brit who has never lived in the USA, and never really liked the whole old boy networks that run so many things in the world. Hazing - ritualised bullying and abuse - only makes it seem more distant, and that's the subject of this film which tells the story of a Hell Week which spins out of control. It's distinguished by some good performances and some subtle direction; I'm not a great deal clearer on how these rituals have got to this place, though the film wants to make a case that driving them underground has made them worse. That's a valid view, but this is a film that wants to show rather than discuss. It shows well - uncomfortably, unnervingly, chillingly and powerfully. But it falls short of what it could be, and what this subject matter needs.

Great movie good story great acting. Netflix is making some good films

This film tells the story of a number of college freshmen who is in the week of pledging to their fraternity house. The humiliation and violence gradually increase to an unacceptable level, and they have to decide whether to continue their so called friendship and brotherhood.

"Burning Sands" tells a disturbing story, in which young men are abused in return for a distant, unrealised dream. The moment I see scorching, I already think it is going too far, but it goes way further than I can imagine. The abuse, manipulation and exploitation are unacceptable, in my opinion. I don't understand how this pledging culture can be allowed to continue. I can only be glad that I did not study in the United States.

Other than a strong cast of Black actors, Burning Sands brings nothing new to this over-trodden tale of hazing brutality and frat stupidity. Missing are any drivers that would make young men want to be part of such a moronic society.

The acting is strong, the faces memorable and the brutality is palpable, but it just wasn't enough.

The film ends with the central character making a cell phone call and mumbling something into the phone that is frustratingly unintelligible. I watched a screener of this, and replayed the final seconds several times, but couldn't make it out. What an incredible oversight.

A really solid, well-shot and made film about fraternities the hazing pledges have to go through. It is easy to dismiss this as nothing new, but the film explores themes on race and history that are very well connected and relevant to practices at present time. It is a film that confronts the audience with the violence, so that you could almost feel it, which is appropriate to the content and subject matter. The lead actor does a decent job, the rest of the pledges built good chemistry together. Alfre Woodard and Steve Harris were the strongest performers.