Land of the Blind

[Liza]

I don't know if its a bit of family history that might have helped me understand this film, but I think anyone who has lived in a country that has passed from one corrupt regime to the next might find this story all too familiar. For me, Land of the Blind could have easily been filmed in Cuba.

The film showed (rather well) the deep, truly ridiculous corruption, of one administration and how discontent (or disgust) with it blindly lead a people from bad to worse. I think it also shows how a well-managed publicity machine can blind people to truth, hearing and seeing only the good until its too late. Even when the corrupt becomes obvious, some become so comfortable with what is familiar that they can excuse or ignore the bad or perhaps they just feel powerless to do anything to change it. Cuba and other countries have seen such scenarios. I wasn't born there. This is based on my parents' stories. In the 1950's, Cuba knew a great deal of prosperity, but it seemed that mostly the corrupt few truly derived the benefit from it and greedily wanted to continue enjoying those benefits, whether by deceit or force. Fidel Castro came, professing to be the great saviour of the people. Some will maintain that he is, but others will tell you the stories of how this salvation came with a price and has been maintained by its own brand of force and corruption. I think one of the defining moments in Land of the Blind is when Ralph's character, Joe, says the following to Thorne: "Under the old regime man exploited man, but since the revolution its been the other way around." Yup, this tale is actually very familiar.

[Liza]

I didn't care for those scenes either, but I think that was the idea - to feel the disgust of their absurdity and perverseness. We were supposed to find these character's utterly unappealing and ridiculous. Maybe it could have been conveyed differently. The film was described as a political fable and I think Robert Edwards portrayed this story with an almost tongue-in-cheek quality to it. Maybe even a comic book feel (pretty twisted comic book!). The film did seem low budget (and I believe it was), but I didn't get a cheap impression from it. The term art house comes to mind. It certainly was independent. I think this film is worth a second viewing if you can get passed some of the nonsense in it and really take in the story and the characters. To me, Ralph isn't wooden at all. My husband happens to be a corporal at a detention facility. Ralph's portrayal of a prison officer and soldier really hits the mark. In an article discussing Ralph's acting, his performances are described as subtly nuanced. I think this is such a performance. Its understated, but you get the strength of feeling in his character if you look beneath the surface. He certainly balances out the broader, bolder (perhaps grosser) brush strokes of the rest of the story.

[Liza]

I haven't seen that one yet. I'll have to find it.

[Katherine]

I want to see this film Land of the Blind . Liza , I have read with interest your comment : I feel you are so involved in this story because of your family matters .

[Liza]

Katherine, Linda is right. While I do recommend this movie, proceed with caution. One thing this story is not is delicate!

[Katherine]

Thanks Linda and Liza for your friendly warning . I'll let you know .

[Liza]

Brita, with regard to the prison scenes and the (I'll call it deeply personal self-expressions all over the walls) - From what my husband has told me, inmates really do things like that, although I don't think he's ever seen anyone quote Shakespeare!

[Liza]

LOL : )

[Alice]

I saw "Land of the Blind" for the first time today. Frankly I found the satire far too heavy-handed to be effective, but Ralph gives an excellent performance and looks ravishing in uniform (he even looks good in that hideous Hawiian shirt!)

Another of the film's shortcomings: we don't see anything like enough of Ralph in the shower. I'm always slightly disappointed if he doesn't have at least one nude scene in a film...

[trugannini]

Alice, I agree with your assessment of this film...it was not well done at all....It is a film I would not normally go and see because, for one thing, I read many non-fiction books on these topics. I only buy these movies to see what Ralph "does" with his part. And, yes, gorgeous as usual, and without much to work with as Joe, he turns in an excellent performance......love your comment about the Hawaiian shirt, yes, he looked like an ordinary Joe and comfortable in his 'skin'. Nothing of the End of the Affair
demeanour about him at all, but then I guess his life (such as it was) was not important to the story.
I loved it when he said (in the Hawiian shirt) On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your friend's
position....etc.

[Liza]

I respect those choices too. The stories he chooses have a depth to them. They stay with you.