POLITICAL FILMS: “The Silent Revolution.” / “Miral.”

“The Silent Revolution” (2018, Plex) German historical drama that depicts the true story of a high school class in the German Democratic Republic, who have a moment of silence for the victims of the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Based on the book of the same name by Dietrich Garstka, who was one of the students. 



       The Hungarian Revolution (23 October to 4 November 1956) was an attempted countrywide revolution against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic (1949–1989) and the policies caused by the government's subordination to the Soviet Union.

       Written and directed by Lars Kraume, the feature offers a more emotional than political take on the youngsters’ brand of dissent--by navigating how the families or parents react to their kids’ collective action. But not so much exploration of Hungarian reality in those years. 

       Still, the movie is a provocative tool for discussion between older idealists and new romantics, to put things pragmatically. 🎥💻📽


“Miral” (2010, Plex) biographical political film directed by Julian Schnabel about the coming of age of a Palestinian girl named Miral who grows up in the wake of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and finds herself drawn into the conflict. The screenplay was written by Rula Jebreal, based on her novel of the same name. Clearly, this movie invites another visit, given with the current tempest in Gaza. Mr Schnabel’s body of work wasn’t so shabby either; think more on the line of 2000’s “Before Night Falls,” Javier Bardem's breakthrough movie, and 2007’s “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.”


       But “Miral,” regardless of Julian’s committed effort and the project’s sincerity, is a bit of a letdown, but not really a disappointment. Despite Freida Pinto’s piercing performance as Miral, the movie doesn’t have a strong center or compelling figure as anchor. The choppy storytelling is expectedly tentative and aimless, and while the documentary-styled camera-work render raw realism to the drama, the scenes seemed scattered and detached from a connective hook. 

       Of course, there’s nothing new in the monumental Palestine tragedy that we haven’t read or heard–that Julian Schnabel showed us. I was looking or wanting to feel the soul, the pain in the wound. None but surely, I was reminded. But numb, but wanting to read the current news about Gaza’s continued obliteration by Israel, instead. 🎥💻📽


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