The disorientating cinematography and editing helped add to the atmosphere of helplessness in the shoes of a man in the criminal underworld, the film also offering a sidedish of raw brutality and honest dialogue. The cinematography and editing techniques are the real treat here however, and although it may not be an experience for some it's an interesting experience for others, showing us the fear, guilt and horror of the atmosphere in criminality. Although not entirely an action film, this boasts some terrifying fight scenes to add to the atmosphere of the mess of criminality, and the disorienting editing helped make the film display the sinful, guilt- ridden mess of being a criminal. The film isn't too short or too long and runs at a good length packed with emotionally devastating moments and a good, native soundtrack to add to some of New Zealand's atmosphere apart from the criminal one. Although it may not be for everyone, anyone who takes an interest in movies that think differently may want to give this a watch.
Plot summary
Minka is a teenage Polynesian boy living in the heart of the city. With his P-addicted mother well on the way to going completely off the rails, three people enter his life - each with a promise - each with the power to destroy.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
October 26, 2020 at 12:38 AM
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Trippy cinematography and editing make this a good show.
A different sort of Saint
Don't expect this to not be violent, because of its title. It might be
a bit misleading if you read too much into it. But what it is, is an
action thriller (Drama), that packs a punch. For a low budget movie
this is more than decent. It might take a couple of things on and
therefor lose some of its audience/viewers, being too unfocused for
them, but you can't blame it for setting its goals too low.
It also achieves being suspenseful. This only works if you get a
feeling for our main character, which I think is really possible, with
the structure of the movie and the acting in it. The human side of it,
is what holds this above water and makes it more than just another
independent movie. It almost feels like a personal story (dealing with
family issues and all, apart from finally stepping into adulthood and
"grow up") ...
Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in a dysfunctional New Zealand.
Minka is 'a good boy' he doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs. He also has
to look after his drug dependant mother who redefines the word 'mess'.
He is trying to hold it together with no help from the authorities then
his long lost father shows up. This is Joe and he is far from
paternalistic. He runs a lap dancing joint and introduces Minka to the
seedy underbelly of New Zealand culture but with a Tongan twist.
That is when his coming of age begins and he has to deal with the
drugs, alcohol, sex and violence that go with that 'scene' and his
hormones plus the familial strife.
Now this is sold on its 'unrelenting violence', and there is some but
it is done in a realistic way and it is the fear that is more
terrifying and there are some show stopping performances especially
from Joseph Naufahu ('Spartacus: War of the damned') as the rather
mental Pinball. This is a bit 'nothing new to see here' in that we have
all seen films with the same or similar plot lines. However, they do
this really well and it is a totally independent effort that has the
feel of quality for the most part and had me fair gripped for the most
part so is one I would recommend.