The World Cup of Cinema - Qatar

Dari Qatar 

(Screen capture image taken from a film that was distributed by The Doha Film Institute via YouTube)

Logically if one where to attempt this project, starting with the host country might seem like a natural choice, given that one would already know that they were taking part in the event and that there would be no ‘qualification grief’ associated with the corresponding selection. Unfortunately things didn’t quite work out that way in this particular instance. I have to be honest, Qatar was the most difficult country when it came to finding a decent selection to watch. While I may not have been particularly thorough in my research, based on all the time that I spent at the Doha Film Institute website and elsewhere I currently know of maybe … 3? feature length films that would satisfy my criteria as a Qatari film. And as for accessing any of these films in order to watch them, … HA!

The World Cup of Cinema - Poland

Dług (The Debt) 

(Screen capture image taken from a Studio Filmowe Zebra production/ Distributed by TLA Releasing)

Poland, just like Ghana, earned my wrath by eliminating a country that I had previously written a critique for. Thanks a lot you deplorable bastards! Now that I got that out of my system, let’s proceed.

The World Cup of Cinema - Ghana

Devil in the Detail 

(Screen capture image taken from a Sparrow Productions film/ Distributed by TubiTV)

At this point in the project it would be safe to assume that behind every critique that I write there’s at least 2 or 3 films that I had my eye on, but chose not to watch for a variety of reasons. This is usually the case for countries like Ghana where I lacked a great deal of prior knowledge about their film culture and who I just passively hoped wouldn’t get in. Unfortunately these rotten scoundrels managed to knock out Nigeria. But putting my personal bitterness aside, I don’t think there’s a worse scenario in which to exclude a potential selection, than a case where I find something that really piques my interest but yet is completely inaccessible. While I have vague memories about how I ever came across it to begin with, during my research for Ghana I discovered the film Obonsam Besu which tempted me in a thoroughly inexplicable manner. The trailer for the film can be seen in the first half of this video.

The World Cup of Cinema - Cameroon

Ninah’s Dowry 

(Screen capture image taken from a Fintu Films production/ Distributed by The Roku Channel)

I would like to state for the record that I really don’t like how Africa configures its World Cup qualifiers. I find the process of using two-legged ties to determine all the slots to be far more nerve-racking, especially when compared to the rather placid manner in which other countries qualify through group stage play. I actually felt legitimate anxiety when tracking the CAF scores on my phone, hoping that the countries that got through were the ones that I had already written critiques for. I don’t know why I go through these types of emotions. I should really try to relax more and learn to accept the results that occur with a far more positive attitude.

The World Cup of Cinema - Canada

waydowntown 

(Screen capture image taken from an 842896 Alberta production/ Distributed by Home Vision Entertainment)

What!? How did this happen? When did Canada suddenly become good at soccer? Did they play these matches on ice and use sticks to move the ball aboot? At the time that I’m writing this, not only are Canada atop the standings of the octagonal, but they’re four points clear of both the US and Mexico. Hopefully either FIFA or at least CONCACAF will launch an investigation to figure out how these hosers cheated their way into the World Cup. Perhaps this will happen after they go to Qatar and get exposed for the frauds that they are. But alas, sigh!, they made it in and I should critique one of their films, which honestly shouldn’t be that difficult to do.