I’m always seeking new, exciting, and innovative films, so when I heard about the New Director’s Film Festival, presented by The Film Society at Lincoln Center and Museum of Modern Art, I jumped at the chance to catch a few of the films. The festival is now in its 48th edition, featuring some of the most talented new filmmakers from all over the world. I felt so fortunate to have been a part of the experience and witnessing such incredibly talented individuals that were so gracious to share their years of hard work with the rest of the world. I want to tell you about two amazing films that I thought were very bold, shocking, and lingered with me for days after.
ANGELO by Markus Schleinzer, Austria/Luxembourg
Based on historical facts, during the 18th century, a black Nigerian born boy was stolen and sold to the Viennese court society and raised to be what seemed to be a source of entertainment masked as a respected member of the. Every movie I see where an opening scene is a group of blacks being stripped down, bathed and dressed up to be sold as property is always just as infuriating and disturbing; this was no exception. After chosen, he is baptized and named Angelo. The members of the society gather around him as if he were a new puppy or toy waiting for himto act in some unusual manner. He has no dialogue for quite some time in the film and I think that was a good choice the director made. The experience was more pronounced this way.
Quickly they introduce Angelo to the flute, forcing him to play. At first, he resists any form of command, as anyone kidnapped and frightened would. They tell him that he is one of them now and they strive to educate him, make him part of the elite and he is on his way to becoming “human.” Over time, he submits and learns to play the flute like a master, entertaining the family and community. He not only becomes great with music but is an intricate part of the theatrical plays where the whites would dress in blackface and he is always a black royal telling a story of his elite ancestry which of course was manufactured by the courts but he recites that same story his whole life. The Emperor takes a liking to him and takes him under his wing. Their relationships is an interesting part of the film because it is a combination of his trying to get Angelo to think about being independent in his thinking and who he really was as a person but also reminding him that he is nothing but merely a slave who serves. Now, as a grown man, Angelo sneaks off with a white woman and marries her. When it is found out, outrage stirs up the town and he is banned from the society. Along with getting banned, they grant him freedom. As a free man with a wife and child on the way, he doesn’t know what to do, having been bred to serve and entertain his whole life having no real identity. Upon his death, he was mummified and his body put on display for everyone to come and admire. Although Angelo has risen to what society would call educated and respected at that time, when he died he was treated like nothing more than a black slave. His body in the display was eventually burned along with wood and other garbage in a fire. His daughter was not allowed to see him prior to his death nor when on display.
I have to say that this film left a feeling of anger, sadness, disgust, grief, and bitterness. This film sadly still has so many truths that apply to our society today. Of course not as blatant but anyone with eyes can see them. This is a must-see film, to say the least!
MIDNIGHT FAMILY by Luke Lorentzen, Mexico
This documentary follows the Ochoa family who runs a private ambulance service to make up for the lack of government-run services in Mexico City. It is said that there are only around 45 government ambulances that service a city of 8.5 million people in Mexico City which is insane considering the number of accidents that occur each day. A 17-year-old named Juan, along with his father and brothers, wait each night in their emergency van for accidents so they can beat the government-run ambulances to the scene. I’ve never seen or heard of this story and my mind was blown because I have lived in Mexico and never knew this was happening.
Hundreds of accidents happen every day but in Mexico City, there aren’t enough ambulances to help the number of people in need of medical attention. The Ochoa family creates a business that is in demand, not necessarily based on the love of helping others. Juan even admits that he loves when people are hurt because he needs the business. It is shocking to see how they deal with hurt and dying people. None of the family members are physicians, however, they seem to be very professional and well versed in basic medical care and that means how to take a pulse, patch up a wound or keep it from getting worse, and most of all how to take the money. Yes, their services are not for free. In fact, the money they get from sick or dying patients or their families is how they survive, which is not easy.
For Juan, this is a serious business and he seems to be in charge of the operation. He is very responsible, handles all of the financial affairs too, the upkeep of the van, supplies, and legal paperwork. Trying to find accidents are a hassle and they end up having to pay police officers to tip them off and compete with other private ambulances to get to the scene quicker. The job is dangerous, exhausting, and many times they don’t get paid. They sometimes have to borrow money for gas and food and at home, they don’t even have beds to sleep on. Every day is a hustle, working all night waiting for people to get sick or nearly die. I thought this documentary was scary, exciting, and eye-opening. Seeing them almost get into an accident trying to race another ambulance to the scene was really interesting to watch. What was scary was the actual accidents, some people were hit by cars, shot, fallen from buildings, or beat up by their partners. A lot of them had no money or health insurance to pay, it was sad. Also, when you see the family’s struggle to survive, you also understand the drive they have to do what they do every single day. This was an amazing documentary, so well done and a story beautifully told.
Next year I will definitely get to see more films, I’m super excited to see what new the new directors will bring.
