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Dark (2003)
"dark" stand next to "Native Son" and "Catcher in the Rye" and be judged, fair enough.
I am the filmmaker. This is my film, so without question I am biased beyond belief. But, I have to speak up, since negative reviews from non-qualified viewers seem to hold so much weight on this website. At the very least I want to give my film a fighting chance to find an audience who will appreciate this form of storytelling (not for everyone, not created for everyone). Much like I could play Mozart for 10 people on my block and 4 of them are not going to be able to stand it. I guess it's all about perception. Will Mozart now be considered obtuse and boring? Probably not. Mozart just happens to have the benefit of a hundred some odd years of good marketing. It is unfortunate that without the aid of a overwhelming marketing campaign, viewers come to a film with notions of what they think the film should be, not necessarily what the film is, the film's merit. So, I want to give you an idea of what "dark" is If you delight in the lyricism of COMMON, THE ROOTS, MOS DEF, then you know the drill (These are Hip Hop artist in case you didn't know). If you've been captivated by the depth and understanding of ELLISON's - INVISIBLE MAN or the poetics of a JAMES BALDWIN passage or the beautiful simplicity of a CHINUA ACHEBE'S - THINGS FALL APART, this film is for you. If you are a follower of filmmakers like ALEJANDRO INARRITU or a JIM JARMUSCH, or perhaps you've heard the name OUSUMANE SEMBENE, this might be your flavor. If you've been intrigued by the oddities of such films as DONNIE DARKO, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, CITY OF GOD, STRANGER THAN PARADISE; not for the hype and circumstance or because you were told it was cool to "get" these films , simply as these films exist, then welcome. If you are a hater of ambition, then please just keep it moving. If you're world revolves around the tight circle of closed minds in the homogeneous universe that you suburb in, then by all means, this film will only incense you by it's hubris . Although I am the first to admit "dark" is not a perfect film, even if it were, this film would never be for you. That said, I hope this review is helpful for any fellow traveler in this world. Thank you.