The Settlers

It forms an immensely engrossing pair with Killers of the Flower Moon in the sense it conveys colonial violence and genocide of native people both on and off screen -- and sometimes the latter feels way more disturbing, like that final interview the president's spokesman conducts with Segundo. Also, a beautiful film to look at all the way, from the slight chapters based on character's points of views, each one with its own proper imagery, and stunning cinematography to depict colorful shadows.

Saw 30 minutes of it. Too violent for my taste. And not my cup of tea.

Very beautifully shot, very nice to look at. That's it.

Every shot is utterly captivating. Treated with the same care and respect as the framing are the horrors within it: nothing is sensationalized, but everything is felt. Segundo is a powerful perspective character whose conflicting agency in the story is called out by the final shot. While the third act jump (straight into government lip service) is jarring, this final scene draws it to a perfect close: it condemns the colonizer narrative by portraying, in a look, the furious, powerful truth.

The film is very beautifully produced. The lack of agency in the Indian characters is problematic.

61st nyff

(Filmekimi, City’s Nişantaşı – CINEWAM Premium | 10/16/2023)

An appealing setting for a sort-of western, but the script just isn't very impactful in its drama or interesting in its politics.