Review of A Screaming Man (2010) by Shay B — 13 Sep 2011

I had a hard time with this movie. I don't know if it was the French language, or the unfamiliar culture, or my lack of knowledge about the political turmoil in Chad, but it was hard for me to follow exactly what was going on.

The movie is about a man named Adam who lives in Chad while rebels are attacking the country. The government is pressuring citizens to contribute to the resistance of these rebels. Adam is unable to pay, and while struggling with how to financially do so, the hotel he works at gets new owners. Adam gets reassigned from the job he loves as a pool man to the man at the gate. His son, who was once his inferior at the pool, steps in as sole pool manager. As tensions rise at work and at home for Adam, tensions rise in his country and he receives increasing pressure from the government for his contribution.

The movie deals with one man's struggle with change. Change as his family matures, as his country is attacked by rebels, as his solace in working along a pool is taken away after a lifetime spent near one. Amidst all this change, the man scrambles to create some sort of constant. He must prioritize family, community and his own solidarity.

He makes a decision that haunts him and he struggles with if and how to reverse it.

Though the story is interesting and acting is wonderful, it is very slow paced and hard to follow, which is why my rating was so low. This film has won international acclaim and awards, and most critics liked it. I feel it is worthy of such praise, but just not for me.