Bassidji

I have three issues with this documentary, and two specific objections because the fact that I know a lot about the issue at hand and therefore the content of the film is not surprising or enriching for me is exclusively my problem. Firstly, the film is terribly drawn out. With some films giving you the feeling that they could be cut by 15-20 minutes, here I would be much more radical and after fighting sleep several times, I would cut it in half. The majority of shots are prolonged. Secondly, Tamadon's film is incredibly meek, as the director performs ritual dances and tiptoes where he should get straight to the point. It got to the point where one of the interviewees criticized him for this caution, saying that he expected more direct questions. This is connected to the fact that Tamadon primarily interviews the intellectually equipped and accommodating part of the community he is interested in, which flattens, or rather prevents, a more comprehensive view. Things are different when you talk to a religious scholar and when you encounter harassment from an uneducated militia member who bothers you on the street. For inhabitants of a small state in Central Europe, known for religious indifference and relativization of values, it is of course quite exotic to look at a society that not only has rules but also professes some values, even if they are problematic from our perspective. Overall impression: 40%. (18/11/2010)