Cinema World Tour, Film #11
Country: Malawi
Watched in: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Rating: 8/10
Chiwetel Ejiofor's first directional effort is an absolute stunner of a film.
I didn't expect much except another average Netflix production. When I wanted to choose the spoken languages, there was only English option, and I already wanted to turn it off. A film shot in Malawi should also be in Malawi's native language, according to me at least.
So, first of all: yes, on Netflix is written that the only spoken language is English, but 80% of the film are still in Chichewa, the subtitles are already included. Don't worry, film lovers! I think that's kind of a brave decision from Netflix, as most audiences probably won't be in the mood to watch it with subs.
About the film: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind easily exceeded all my expectations. This is such a great, beautiful film. Ejiofor doesn't only direct superbly, he also wrote himself into the film – although he gives his role some rather unsympathic turns. The fact it's based on a true story (a fact I mostly don't bother about) makes especially this film so emotional, suspenseful, you really connect to it and keeps you at the edge of your seat until that mesmerizing climax.
The actors ensemble, even minor supporting roles, is outstanding, the soundtrack amazing, and so is much-admired DOP Dick Pope's cinematography.
Much different than in most stories like these, Ejiofor doesn't make the major mistake to tell the story only from a personal, individualistic point of view: he pays very much attention to economic and political background, not only mentioning these, but also taking a lot of time to show how they influence the „little people“. It's true, Africa doesn't have to be poor. The african countries actually form the richest continent there is. The problem is the economic system of the world: the land, on which everything grows, is often owned by foreign investors. The food is there, but the people can't have it, because it isn't theirs. The only one profiting from that are the corrupt governments, as Ejiofor shows in his very intelligent film.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind isn't a must-watch, but definitely a underrated one and absolutely worth checking it out. You won't regret it, and it might even move you to tears.
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