The 2013 French drama "Apaches" is the latest DVD release in an awesome year-end series, which includes the recently reviewed Portuguese/French historical drama "Lines of Wellington" and the soon to be reviewed Chilean/French drama "To Kill A Man," from the fantabulous foreign independent film distributor Film Movement. Unreal TV fans know that this site eagerly awaits each selection from the Film of the Month Club that Movement operates.
The spoiler regarding this review is that this film is the "must-see" cool movie that is a perfect choice for a high school or college holiday break.
The following spoiler-laden clip, courtesy of YouTube, of a promo. for "Apaches" includes glimpses of the intensity and universal themes that make the film so great.
"Apaches" entirely takes place on the Mediterranean island Corsica and derives its drama from the highly unpredictable consequences of the irresponsible behavior of relatively angry young Corsican Aziz and his comparably perturbed friends.
The universal theme of this dynamic is only one way in which this film is like every other Movement offering in that it would be equally good and relatable if shot word-for-word and scene-for-scene in the United States. The "Parties. Booze. Sex. Murder." tagline for the film says it all.
Other global truths that "Apaches" addresses are the related senses that wealthy people do not grant lower-income folks adequate regard and that many tourists mistreat the locals. Throwing in some teen angst and hormone-induced behavior makes for a movie that disaffected teens and their parents around the world can enjoy.
The catalyst for the ensuing mayhem occurs during an unauthorized small gathering that Aziz hosts at the vacation home that he helps his mother and father maintain in the absence of the French owner. Said party going literally and figuratively out of bounds includes a theft that ultimately leads to deadly consequences.
The most that can be said without giving away too much is that Aziz and his crew learn the hard way that they messed with the wrong guy when they chose his place as a party pad and justified stealing from him.
Liner notes in which director Thierry de Peretti states conscious choices to film on location and to use young local actors validate the feeling of authenticity that permeates "Apaches." You sense that these people lead the portrayed lives and that said existence can prompt the behaviors in which they engage.
The similar (but more charming) 15-minute Italian film "Margerita" offers a kinder and gentler look at youngsters who effectively are street kids. Having an ending that ties everything together and evokes thoughts of a classic moment in a John Hughes films is a nice "extra" in this "bonus short film."
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Apaches" or "Margerita" is strongly encouraged to either email me or connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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