It's an impressive World War I drama focusing on a portuguese soldier who got lost in the African forest, and it's a visual treat for sure. Zacarias is played really well by João Nunes Monteiro and his "adventure" of misfortunes takes us to the heart of this continent. We see the impact of colonialism (especially at the beginning where the soldiers are transported by african men, something I didn't know that actually happened and would never imagine), the impact of war and how this almost death sentence of being alone on this dangerours territory has great consequences on a young man disillusioned with the riches of being a war hero.
It has a clear influence from "Apocalypse Now", cinematography-wise, with the night being captured perfectly by the camera and with the creation of an almost drug-induced scenery with the bizarre colours all around. It does not create a visceral and deep experience that a movie like this promises, but still, it does really well in what it achieves.
It has a clear influence from "Apocalypse Now", cinematography-wise, with the night being captured perfectly by the camera and with the creation of an almost drug-induced scenery with the bizarre colours all around. It does not create a visceral and deep experience that a movie like this promises, but still, it does really well in what it achieves.