Credible Credits
Year: 2015
Director: Garrett Batty
Starring: Henry Adofo, Michael Attram, Phillip Adekunle Michael, and Clement Amegayie
Synopsis: A group of LDS missionaries must flee from war-torn Liberia to the safety of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Synopsis: A group of LDS missionaries must flee from war-torn Liberia to the safety of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Review
Director Garret Batty's previous film was The Saratov Approach, which I very much enjoyed. So I was highly intrigued when I heard about his next based-on-a-true story film. Freetown is a very good follow-up.
While the true story had been in the Ensign a few months ago, it didn't go into very many details. Going into the film, I only had a general idea of what the outcome would be. It is a credit to the film that despite what I did know, the movie had me on the edge of my seat at times. There were many genuinely tense moments, especially in the start of the film. The drama -- how it was acted, how it was shot, and how it was relayed -- was gripping. From the start, I was invested in the film.
The story, however, becomes a road trip movie, as the missionaries flee from Liberia to Sierra Leone. At that point, the film did start to feel a bit sluggish. Instead of drama, there was a lot of talking. Some of the discussions felt natural, but a few felt ... forced, so that certain faith-related topics could be checked off.
The film does address the issue of blacks and the priesthood, and to the film's credit leaves the resolution open. The character who brings it up has found his internal reconciliation, but offers no pat explanation. Without saying as much, the film's "answer" is "seek out your own answer" and then moves on.
There is some humor in the film, which stems from the personalities of the various missionaries. Sometimes the humor felt a bit forced, but that was primarily because it was incredible to believe that anyone could find humor in such circumstances. The missionaries leave because rebels are killing people, specifically people from a certain tribe. Some of the missionaries watch helplessly as people are murdered. The road trip is to preserve their lives, especially since one of the missionaries is a member of the tribe being hunted. But while such circumstances are unfathomable to me, that was indeed a reality (and is still a reality in many places of the world). I suppose you'd have to keep your humor to keep your sanity.
Despite a few rough patches with the story, the film itself is extremely well crafted. I was stunned by the excellent cinematography. The film was entirely shot in Africa and there is such a realism and beauty to the film because of that. Also fantastic was the musical score, which felt perfectly suited to the film and never over done.
Freetown is rated PG-13. It isn't graphic in any way, but it is intense. Characters may not be killed on screen, but there is no mistaking they are killed off screen. This certainly isn't a film for younger audiences. But while it does have its flaws, it is an enjoyable film and a good film. Freetown is definitely worth seeing.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The missionaries are assisted in their efforts by a man named Abubakar, who is a convert of 5 years. On the rear windshield of his car, in big letters, is the reference Mark 9:24. I'm not very good with New Testament references, so I had no idea what that verse was. During the credits it happily explained. The verse is: "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Throughout the film, Abubakar has many doubts. He fears they will never make it to Sierra Leone and asks the missionaries to simply hide in Liberia. To his credit, he overcomes his fears and his doubts and moves forward. Each time his doubts resurface, the missionaries encourage him to trust God. The film is in some respects about Abubakar's spiritual journey, a fact the film might have done well to emphasize more.
While the true story had been in the Ensign a few months ago, it didn't go into very many details. Going into the film, I only had a general idea of what the outcome would be. It is a credit to the film that despite what I did know, the movie had me on the edge of my seat at times. There were many genuinely tense moments, especially in the start of the film. The drama -- how it was acted, how it was shot, and how it was relayed -- was gripping. From the start, I was invested in the film.
The story, however, becomes a road trip movie, as the missionaries flee from Liberia to Sierra Leone. At that point, the film did start to feel a bit sluggish. Instead of drama, there was a lot of talking. Some of the discussions felt natural, but a few felt ... forced, so that certain faith-related topics could be checked off.
The film does address the issue of blacks and the priesthood, and to the film's credit leaves the resolution open. The character who brings it up has found his internal reconciliation, but offers no pat explanation. Without saying as much, the film's "answer" is "seek out your own answer" and then moves on.
There is some humor in the film, which stems from the personalities of the various missionaries. Sometimes the humor felt a bit forced, but that was primarily because it was incredible to believe that anyone could find humor in such circumstances. The missionaries leave because rebels are killing people, specifically people from a certain tribe. Some of the missionaries watch helplessly as people are murdered. The road trip is to preserve their lives, especially since one of the missionaries is a member of the tribe being hunted. But while such circumstances are unfathomable to me, that was indeed a reality (and is still a reality in many places of the world). I suppose you'd have to keep your humor to keep your sanity.
Despite a few rough patches with the story, the film itself is extremely well crafted. I was stunned by the excellent cinematography. The film was entirely shot in Africa and there is such a realism and beauty to the film because of that. Also fantastic was the musical score, which felt perfectly suited to the film and never over done.
Freetown is rated PG-13. It isn't graphic in any way, but it is intense. Characters may not be killed on screen, but there is no mistaking they are killed off screen. This certainly isn't a film for younger audiences. But while it does have its flaws, it is an enjoyable film and a good film. Freetown is definitely worth seeing.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The missionaries are assisted in their efforts by a man named Abubakar, who is a convert of 5 years. On the rear windshield of his car, in big letters, is the reference Mark 9:24. I'm not very good with New Testament references, so I had no idea what that verse was. During the credits it happily explained. The verse is: "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Throughout the film, Abubakar has many doubts. He fears they will never make it to Sierra Leone and asks the missionaries to simply hide in Liberia. To his credit, he overcomes his fears and his doubts and moves forward. Each time his doubts resurface, the missionaries encourage him to trust God. The film is in some respects about Abubakar's spiritual journey, a fact the film might have done well to emphasize more.
Quotable Quotes
- "I teach by example." "Example of not talking." -- Elder Nyanforh and Elder Gaye
- "We may not have faith to walk on water ... but we have faith to drive through it." -- Elder Menti
- "Is faith supposed to be so exhausting?" -- Abubakar
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