Happy Sunday MMT Fam! So this is the first Netflix picks list that I’m sharing where I haven’t actually seen the films – but rather this is my personal watch list for today’s “snow-seclusion!”
First up is the one movie that seems to have the critics’ consensus as being majorly snubbed – including the performance by the magnificent talent that is Idris Elba – this award season, BEASTS OF NO NATION. The film is is based on the highly acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala and follows protagonist Agu, a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country. Newcomer Abraham Attah portrays Agu, while Elba portrays Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.
The next two on my list were both recently acquired by ARRAY (formerly AFFRM) for distribution – AYANDA and OUT OF MY HAND. “Ayanda” tells the story of a single-minded 21-year-old Afro-hipster Ayanda (Fulu Mugovhani), who has a talent for taking neglected pieces of furniture and “bringing them back to love”. Eight years after her father’s death, his prized auto repair garage is in deep debt and in danger of being sold, but Ayanda does everything in her power to hold on to his legacy. The film also stars Nigerian actor OC Ukeje – winner of the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Actor, Jafta Mamabolo, Nthati Moshesh, Kenneth Nkosi, Sihle Xaba and Vanessa Cooke.
“Out of My Hand” is the directorial feature début of Takeshi Fukunaga and tells the story of a struggling Liberian rubber-plantation worker (Bishop Blay), who risks everything to discover a new life as a cab driver in New York City. The film debuted in the Panorama Section of the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival.
If you weren’t emotionally touched by any of the above trailers – especially the last – you have no pulse! I can’t wait to watch each of these, and I hope many of you will join me. And don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments. 🙂
Until next thought, Thomasena
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