Monday, November 26, 2007

It’s a Free World…


A very hard to watch drama because of all the implications in the story it tells. This Ken Loach movie is about the hot-button topic of exploited immigrant labor, but instead of telling the story of a particular immigrant or immigrants, tells about the life and the decisions chain of a would-be exploiter.

You tend to sympathize with the lead character Angie, as she’s a single mother trying to start her own business; but soon enough you see how she gets deep and deeper into the exploitation business. It’s been said that there are performances “typically Loachian” were the characters are at the same time unlikable and empathetic. Newcomer Kierston Warering (Angie) gives us a good example as her performance is quite good, as you will really like and dislike her at the same time.

The movie premiered at the 2007 Venice Film Festival where Ken Loach won the EIUC Award and an Honorable Mention SIGNIS Award; also Paul Laverty won the Golden Osella for Best Screenplay.

I’m having hard time writing about this movie because it really hit me hard, as honestly is a subject matter where humans beings are left to their own luck with no rights in developed countries full of rules and regulations intended to protect their inhabitants. Like someone said probably in the future Ken Loach will be known for his socially committed dramas and gee, this was not only socially important but also hard to digest. So, I better stop and say that this movie is not for all audiences, you have to like strong stories that left you a bitter taste in your mouth and European cinema.

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