Police Beat (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Robinson Devor

Writers:

Robinson Devor (co-writer)
Charles Mudede (co-writer)

Release Date:

8 September 2006 (South Korea)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Seven Days of Crime & Delusion

Plot:

An African-born bicycle cop encounters strange and mysterious situations on his police beat in urban Seattle.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Narration | Bicycle | Prostitution | African

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Pape Sidy Niang	...	Z
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eric Breedlove
Ingrid Sanai Buron	...	Park Visitor
Gray Eubank	...	Priest
Sarah Harlett
Jake Hart	...	Internal Affairs Agent
Dennis Kleinsmith	...	Bullet Proof Vest Man
Jerry Lloyd	...	Goose Killer
Andy McCone	...	Rachel's Neighbor
Elijah Ostrow	...	Homeless Boy
Anna Oxygen
Joe Shapiro	...	Lindy Doorman
Michelle Sheiman	...	Purse Snatcher

Also Known As:

Cascadia (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Wolof

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Company:

Northwest Film Forum / WigglyWorld Studios

Trivia:

Wolof (the language spoken in the narration) is the native language of Senegal, but is also spoken widely in parts of Mali, the Gambia, Cote d'Ivoire, and Mauritania.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV)

Excellent movie

I disagree greatly with the previous review. Yes, there is no actual mystery plot, but the movie was not a mystery nor was it supposed to be. Now I don't know what the "original script" called for, and frankly it doesn't matter. What we have is the finished movie and should take it as it has been created. The underlying plot WAS the inner conflict over the relationship between the bike cop and his girlfriend and the crimes that he encounters take a back stage to this.

The movie is filmed very softly and captures the contrast between the harsh realities of the city and the beauty of the scenery. This mirrors the conflict within the character and how he operates within his surroundings. The lead character is beauty surrounded by contrasting darkness as his relationship which is a contrast between deep love and deep pain. I believe that the filmmakers tackled this complex character with compassion but without a false intensity which makes the film both believable and human. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes to delve into issues of humanity, however if you are looking for a great cops and robbers story, you WILL be disappointed. And frankly, I'm happy that this story grew beyond simple archetypes.