Director: Terry George
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale, Charlotte Le Bon, Marwan Kenzari, Angela Sarafyan, Tom Hollander, Jean Reno, James Cromwell, Rade Serbedzija, Igal Naor, Tamer Hassan, Stewart Scudamore.
The controversy that shrouds this film is immense, be it that the Turkish government still deny and refuse to acknowledge the Armenian genocide that took place. It's been reported the film received a standing ovation when premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, but already had over four thousand negative reviews before the film was even released. People suspecting this to be the work of the Turkish government.
This story has been circulating around Hollywood for quite awhile and even MGM owner and billionaire Kirk Kerkorian couldn't convince his own studio to green light the film, himself being from Armenian descent, his family being some of the fortunate few to be extradited from Musa Dugh
Because of this, and unfortunately so, I believe it has worked to a degree, to put people off going to see, which is a great shame. George Clooney's wife and international human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, is an advocate for this film, urging all people to watch and learn; and it has been said that all profit during its theatrical release is to be donated to a number of humanitarian and nonprofit charities.
As you can gather, the film is about the Armenian genocide that took place during the end of the Ottoman Empire, which we witness through the relationship between two Armenians, Isaacs and Le Bon. Both meeting in the then Constantinople during the First World War of 1915. Himself moving to live with his uncle to study medicine and herself teaching his nieces to dance, who is courting an American journalist played by Bale.
Remembering her from last year's Bastille Day and Anthropoid, this film certainly puts Le Bon on the map, considering that she's fairly unknown. But with Isaac and Bale at her side, who both give incredible, strong and emotional performances, she should surely receive a lot of attention after this.
Gabriel Yared does an elegant and impressive score which is infused with traditional pieces from Ara Malikian, Liparit Avetisyan and the Hover Choir, all of whom are either Armenian or of Armenian decent. The score itself, much like the film, proves to be a grand tribute to the Armenian people.
Oscar winning Terry George writes and directs does an emotional, powerful and shocking film that is equally beautiful. The stunning scenery and production as a whole is amazing, and really brings the story to life. It's a remarkable story and though not perfect, it drags slightly, but it's a film not to be ignored.
Running Time: 7
The Cast: 8
Performance: 9
Direction: 8
Story: 9
Script: 8
Creativity: 9
Soundtrack: 8
Job Description: 8
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
Would I buy the Blu-ray?: Yes.
74% 7/10
