Saturday, July 27, 2024

Women from Rote Island (2024) NYAFF 2024


WARNING: This film contains scenes, both graphic and implied, of violence, sexual and other kinds, against women

I say that up front because I know several women who would have had to leave the theater had they watched the film unaware of what it's about.

This is a look at the treatment of women in Indonesia focused on the life of a recently widowed woman and her family.

One part art house film, one part domestic, several parts a long scream for people to understand what is happening and do something. WOMEN FROM ROTE ISLAND is a very difficult film to watch. It is a film that from the first frame to the last wants to make a statement and get women to stand up and make a stand.

As powerful as the sequences are I'm not certain the film works as more that agit prop.  The problem is that the film is so intent on making it's point that the film only fleetingly feels real and more often than not feel like something where the director is moving the pieces around. To me the hopeful ending felt more like manipulation than anything.

Is it a good film? I have no clue because it's screaming in pain much too loudly.


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