Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
There is concern, drama and intrigue in this scene from 'Moses Encore', the musical by Father Richard Ho Lung and Friends which finishes its run at the National Arena, Independence Park, St. Andrew, on Sunday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
HOP, DIRECTED by Dominique Standaert, is a delightful drama that simultaneously points to the struggles of racism and living as a migrant in contemporary Europe, while taking a heart-warming look at love, family and friendship.
The Belgian film was shown at the Bob Marley Museum, 56 Hope Road, on Monday evening as the third film of the 2006 European Union Film Festival. It is the kind of tale that celebrates Anancyism, as the weak and dispossessed are forced to use their wits (to hop) to get by.
The story was engagingly written by Standeart, Olivier Malley and Remi Hatzfeld. It follows the trials of Justin (Kalambou Mbovi) and his father, Dieudonne (Ansou Diedhiou), who are illegal aliens from Burundi living in Belgium. After an attempt at watching a football game (by stealing cable do so) the two are sent on the run when the police are called.
Hop is a beautifully-shot black and white film. The decision to use black and white cinematography is clearly an attempt at visually illustrating the racial content of the film and it works. Though there is no racial slur in the dialogue, there is a clear sense of racial intolerance.
TERRORISM THEME
Hop also touches on terrorism. After becoming involved with an ex-revolutionary, Frans (Jan Decleir) Justin feels forced to make a statement by becoming a terrorist and in that way force his otherwise small voice to be heard. However, the film does not attempt to validate terrorism. It simply highlights that it may be viewed as a last resort for those who get squeezed in the cracks of the system.
The characters are generally engaging and though the topic can be a heavy one, Hop tackles it with a light touch without sacrificing the seriousness of the situation. It manages to do this by looking focusing on love, family, friendship and Justin's own childish innocence towards the world, even as politics erodes that starry-eyed gaze. As such, it is not an overly politically potent film, but it presents an engaging image of humanity.
The European Union Film Festival continues through to Monday evening. It features 10 films from Spain, France, Germany and Belgium, and closes with the French drama Work Hard, Play Hard. Tomorrow features the German bio-pic Comedian Harmonist, while the Spanish feature, The Other Side of the Bed, will be screened on Sunday. All films will be begin at 8:00 p.m.
