Review of Beasts of No Nation (2015) by Alan I — 20 Jan 2016

This is a tremendously powerful film told from the eyes of a West African child pressed to serve in rebel forces after the slaughter of his village. It is a horrific, depressing albeit realistic portrayal of the societal destruction of an unknown, unstated African country.

Amazing performance are given by Idris Elba as a sociopathic "Commandant" sadisticly leading a squadron of young fighters through fear, psychological torture and drug abuse. An amazing breakout performance is given by Abraham Ata as "Agu".

That neither of these actors received acknowledgement of their fine performances speaks volumes of the sorry state of the academy and its inherent racism. It is an extremely powerful, upsetting film should be a must see on everyone's list.