Beautifully shot, lyrical, and eloquent -- without commentary, it presents the viewer with an initially mysterious situation and allows us to explore and get involved. Its observant eye and economy of expression make for an engaging story with surprising depth.
The film explores the relationship between art and commerce, and meditates on the contrasts between reality, remembered reality, and dramatized reality. Like the documentaries of the great Frederick Wiseman, this film doesn't force its perspective upon the viewer or seem to feed us a specific argument or point of view, as is the case with so many documentaries. Thus we are given the chance to feel what it like to be on the island, watching a film crew dramatize the struggle of immigrants, using underpaid extras, some of whom actually experienced what the film is trying to depict.
The film explores the relationship between art and commerce, and meditates on the contrasts between reality, remembered reality, and dramatized reality. Like the documentaries of the great Frederick Wiseman, this film doesn't force its perspective upon the viewer or seem to feed us a specific argument or point of view, as is the case with so many documentaries. Thus we are given the chance to feel what it like to be on the island, watching a film crew dramatize the struggle of immigrants, using underpaid extras, some of whom actually experienced what the film is trying to depict.