The Hillside Crowd (Ceux de la Colline) reviews
Review by on 25 Sep 2010
With much of the western emphasis on African mining problems being based around conflict diamonds, it is understandable to completely overlook African gold, and the issues surrounding it. However, THE HILLSIDE CROWD sets out to remind the viewer that, despite being less well publicised, gold is still highly sought after and therefore is the cause of equal conflict.
The film is an informative and revealing documentary, shifting between poorly lit, claustrophobic shots inside the mine shafts, interviews conveying the sense of false hope and desperation that surrounds the mining village, and scenes following the logistics of finding and selling gold. As an educational piece of film, THE HILLSIDE CROWD manages to remain unbiased and provide an impartial view of the exploitation and manipulation that occurs in these camps.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to low quality cameras, the film occasionally becomes distorted and erratic in its movement, leaving a slightly nauseating feeling to some of the action. But while this may detract from the quality of the viewing, the film manages to express enough emotion to be forgiven technical issues. One interview where a prostitute explains the motivation for her lifestyle is particularly effective in conveying the desperate need for money experienced by all who live in the camp. In a documentary essentially depicting the exploitation that occurs by those in charge, and the feeling of hope amongst the miners that one good gold nugget could lead to a better life, the finale manages to show the hopeless realism for the majority involved.
Daniel Harling
The film is an informative and revealing documentary, shifting between poorly lit, claustrophobic shots inside the mine shafts, interviews conveying the sense of false hope and desperation that surrounds the mining village, and scenes following the logistics of finding and selling gold. As an educational piece of film, THE HILLSIDE CROWD manages to remain unbiased and provide an impartial view of the exploitation and manipulation that occurs in these camps.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to low quality cameras, the film occasionally becomes distorted and erratic in its movement, leaving a slightly nauseating feeling to some of the action. But while this may detract from the quality of the viewing, the film manages to express enough emotion to be forgiven technical issues. One interview where a prostitute explains the motivation for her lifestyle is particularly effective in conveying the desperate need for money experienced by all who live in the camp. In a documentary essentially depicting the exploitation that occurs by those in charge, and the feeling of hope amongst the miners that one good gold nugget could lead to a better life, the finale manages to show the hopeless realism for the majority involved.
Daniel Harling
Review by on 22 Sep 2010
With much of the western emphasis on African mining problems being based around conflict diamonds, it is understandable to completely overlook African gold, and the issues surrounding it. However, THE HILLSIDE CROWD sets out to remind the viewer that, despite being less well publicised, gold is still highly sought after and therefore is the cause of equal conflict.
The film is an informative and revealing documentary, shifting between poorly lit, claustrophobic shots inside the mine shafts, interviews conveying the sense of false hope and desperation that surrounds the mining village, and scenes following the logistics of finding and selling gold. As an educational piece of film, THE HILLSIDE CROWD manages to remain unbiased and provide an impartial view of the exploitation and manipulation that occurs in these camps.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to low quality cameras, the film occasionally becomes distorted and erratic in its movement, leaving a slightly nauseating feeling to some of the action. But while this may detract from the quality of the viewing, the film manages to express enough emotion to be forgiven technical issues. One interview where a prostitute explains the motivation for her lifestyle is particularly effective in conveying the desperate need for money experienced by all who live in the camp. In a documentary essentially depicting the exploitation that occurs by those in charge, and the feeling of hope amongst the miners that one good gold nugget could lead to a better life, the finale manages to show the hopeless realism for the majority involved.
Daniel Harling
The film is an informative and revealing documentary, shifting between poorly lit, claustrophobic shots inside the mine shafts, interviews conveying the sense of false hope and desperation that surrounds the mining village, and scenes following the logistics of finding and selling gold. As an educational piece of film, THE HILLSIDE CROWD manages to remain unbiased and provide an impartial view of the exploitation and manipulation that occurs in these camps.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to low quality cameras, the film occasionally becomes distorted and erratic in its movement, leaving a slightly nauseating feeling to some of the action. But while this may detract from the quality of the viewing, the film manages to express enough emotion to be forgiven technical issues. One interview where a prostitute explains the motivation for her lifestyle is particularly effective in conveying the desperate need for money experienced by all who live in the camp. In a documentary essentially depicting the exploitation that occurs by those in charge, and the feeling of hope amongst the miners that one good gold nugget could lead to a better life, the finale manages to show the hopeless realism for the majority involved.
Daniel Harling
Film details
The Hillside Crowd (Ceux de la Colline)
CAMBRIDGE AFRICAN FILM SEASON
Director: Berni Goldblat
Switzerland, 2009.
72 mins. with English subtitles.
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