A sizzling, contemporary, crisply edited film based in Mozambique, with a dynamic soundtrack and wonderful performances...what else might you want? Though (I suppose) it was probably released in a language other than English the version I enjoyed was very expertly dubbed to English - and in a fashion that enhanced the film and kept the story moving much more quickly than subtitles might have, IMHO. Most of the action takes place in and around Maputo, and the filming captures the bright & beautiful colors of Eastern Coastal Africa, I'm a little shocked by the budget listed on IMDB, the production costs alone would clearly be several times that amount. The hip hop/Afro pop soundtrack is a real treat, never overbearing, offering the sort of freshness I usually look around for as a 'soundtrack' compilation release after I've enjoyed an assembly of sounds like the movie offers. Special mention to Director Mickey Fonseca who has a pretty nice resume on IMDB if you read the fine print, Gil Alexandre, who has the lead role, and Laquino Fonseca, playing an old friend. Overall, my first try with a movie from Mozambique, and now I'm looking for another.
9 Reviews
Africa - Mozambique.
James_TheMan11 August 2020
Rough around the edges but boldly told story. About some pretty daft criminals and the resultant trouble they get them selves into. And it's not a comedy! In fact there's not a comedic beat within it at all.
Good to see a real African film, made by Africans and set in Africa. A rightful divergence from the movie settings we in the west see most black people within, that is in the bloody USA. Good to see the streets and landscapes. Nice looking place.
Good to see a real African film, made by Africans and set in Africa. A rightful divergence from the movie settings we in the west see most black people within, that is in the bloody USA. Good to see the streets and landscapes. Nice looking place.
Don't waste your time!
safsurfer25 April 2021
Hopefully this review/warning will help others to steer clear of this disaster of a movie. As I was watching this film I couldn't help but think that none of these characters are real actors because none of them could act. The plot and premise of the film is pretty straight forward and almost workable if it wasn't spoiled by bad writing, terrible acting, laughable characters, hard to believe premise, and stupid over usage of the 'n' word. Everytime one of these on screen idiots opened his mouth they used the 'n' word like a bunch of wannabe gangsta rappers....laughable at best. The basic plot....a man gets out of prison after four years and returns home to baby and momma. He finds out his mother died and her house is foreclosed unless $30k is paid. The ex-con has a job, a wife with a house, a baby, and yet he returns to crime because he wants to keep his dead mommas house, why? So from that scenario the ex-con goes back to his old ways falling in with old crime buddies and its all down hill from there. No redemption at all anywhere. The producers make every character seem as stupid and dumb as dirt. Dont waste your time with this one. Rated a 5 for barely watchable.
It has a boring start but it gradually becomes great
edimilson-9323711 August 2020
This movie starts off really basic and bland, some of the things that is a huge problem with movies from our countries, but as it goes by, it gets really interesting, like it's going up, even the ending is amazing, it's a must watch gangsta tale, I hope it can open doors in our countries to make more and amazing films like this one.
Good...
RosanaBotafogo13 June 2022
First 100% Mozambican film to enter the Netflix catalogue, and we have a pleasant surprise for the less demanding and lovers of alternative cinema, and the ending, tragic and realistic, necessary, very good, already in the end credits we have a song, a rap, with all the narration of the plot, very interesting, worth watching a little more...
Impressive gangster tale from Mozambique
roger-99-17159931 July 2020
Well acted, fast paced, highly convincing and timely, this fresh surprise from Mozambique breathes originality. An ex con returns home and is tempted to go back to his criminal activities in order to make ends meet and save his house. Things turn violent and unexpected and the viewer is invited for a humbly efficient ride of violence and corruption. Plus the cinematography is outstanding and the actors (even the small parts) are incredibly great. Excellent!
mosam- buck-thriller
ops-525352 August 2020
First time ever viewing a flick from down there southeast africa, and it was in fact an amazing surprise. its a story about crime, poverty, social decay and a lot of deceift for a handful of dollars.
its a rather straight and incomplex story and plot,but the acting and the float of competance from the crew, really shines through, even the extras do a reliable job, so well done by the casting dept. but most of all it serves you a bountyfilled and multifasceted view on a world of crime , corruption and religion in the mosambiqan society
what what really raised my eyebrow where the filmographic work, and the rythm of the fairly local musical score well knitted into the plot, and lets not forget the sound and editing dept that has gien us a proof that feature film isnt just for the lazy and the rich in the west and north of the world, or south on the african continet.
the grumpy old man loved the end of this plot, i bet the heat is on... its an almost glitchfree production, and i give it a hi recommend.
its a rather straight and incomplex story and plot,but the acting and the float of competance from the crew, really shines through, even the extras do a reliable job, so well done by the casting dept. but most of all it serves you a bountyfilled and multifasceted view on a world of crime , corruption and religion in the mosambiqan society
what what really raised my eyebrow where the filmographic work, and the rythm of the fairly local musical score well knitted into the plot, and lets not forget the sound and editing dept that has gien us a proof that feature film isnt just for the lazy and the rich in the west and north of the world, or south on the african continet.
the grumpy old man loved the end of this plot, i bet the heat is on... its an almost glitchfree production, and i give it a hi recommend.
A hidden gem
apolojossias9 August 2020
This movie is great. It's smart, well written and brightly directed. Thumbs up for all the cast. They really did an amazing job. The action sequences are undeniably good. Sure, it's not a Hollywood blockbuster, but it shines really bright with it's limited budget. Curious fact: it was shot in Mozambique and it's a local production with premium quality. You just can't go wrong watching it.
I recommend
bentoantonio11 August 2020
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