Review of Tears of the Sun (2003) by Penvronius-Miles C — 12 Dec 2009

This film was broadcast a few days ago on Virgin TV. I was interested in this because we have many Africans and in particular several Nigerians in our parish. Did this film tell us a true story - it appears not - does it present any positive images of Africans in particular, Nigerians - hardly - most of the Nigerians I know are well educated and caring Catholics - if I were a Nigerian I would be worried about such a portrayal of my countrymen as either helplessly inane or mind-befuddled - or as insanely blood thirsty and power hungry.

This may have boosted Bruce Willis career but gives a very one sided view of life in Africa.

I cannot see the merit in presenting a story like this unless it is solidly based on true experiences. Lies do no one any good in the long term.

The lead villian pursuing Bruce Willis et alia, looked like an Eastern African, from Uganda or Kenya - not very like the Nigerians I have met. Aren't there any Nigerians capable of.

Playing these parts? Perhaps they did not want to and be guilty of prosecuting a lie about their country's history and the nature of its peoples.

It would have helped, as in Raiders of the Lost Ark - to have had a map of where the actors were supposed to be.

How many people know precisely where the action is supposed to have taken place?

One expected Bruce Willis as usual to survive despite being bombarded by a multitude of mortar shells and straffed by a few million bullets - it may have been a more glorious end had he been shot just as he lifted his love over the fence and died a real hero - and to have had a good shave the night before so as not to sear his love's skin as he gave her the final goodbye kiss.

I was extremely disappointed to learn this film was a fiction and not a fact. If I had known that I would have not watched it - I watched it to learn something about the situation once in Nigeria. I had students who sadly gave up their studies to return home to fight in the Biafran War.

Disappointed all round - Hollywood is definitely no Holywood.

Penvronius Miles Cambrensis,sfo.