Day 17 @ MSPIFF 2015: 'White Shadow' Reviewed
Dozens have been killed and mutilated in Tanzania in the past 15 years, and all because they were born with albinism, a congenital pigmentation disorder.
But these people were not simply targeted over hatred of their unusual appearance. Some in the East African country believe harvesting the organs and body parts of albinos provides good luck.
This practice inspired director Noaz Deshe's nightmarish yet beautiful White Shadow, about an albino teen (the impressive Hamisi Bazili) whose survival is at risk, and whose capacity to trust anyone is constantly tested.
White is an unforgettable cinematic experience in both subject and in execution.
White Shadow is playing at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Main Theatre, on Thursday, April 30 at 9:30 p.m.
~ Stephen Swanson
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Other Highlights For Saturday, April 25
Sunshine Superman (Marah Strauch; USA, Norway) Carl Boenish -- the father of BASE jumping -- is honored in this wonderful and dazzling documentary by debut director Marah Strauch, who will be at the screening. (11:15 a.m.)
Heart of Wilderness (Towle Neu, USA) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is finally given the chance to be itself -- a captivating, selfish, scene-stealing diva. Heart (pictured above) is about a man that gets involved in a drug deal to help provide for his young family. But when it goes awry, he convinces his wife to take a little canoe getaway for a few days in the BWCA. Let's just say it doesn't turn out to be the best couples retreat. Read the full review here. (7 p.m.)
Theeb (Naji Abu Nowar, Jordan, Qatar) The beauty of director Naji Abu Nowar's Theeb lies in its seeming simplicity. On the surface, it looks like a boy's coming-of-age adventure story. Yet, on a deeper level, the film surges with western themes while simultaneously examining the death throes of a culture in the wake of globalization. Click here to read the full review. (12:45 p.m.)
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For the festival schedule, and a complete listing of all the movies being shown, click here. Ticket information is available here.
Throughout the entirety of the 2015 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival, WCCO.com will be spotlighting one notable movie each day, along with other notable screenings. To see WCCO.com's complete coverage on the MSPIFF, click here.
