THE LAST FACE
US, 2017, 130 minutes, Colour.
Charlize Theron, Javier Bardem.
Directed by Sean Penn.
The Last Face had quite a mixed response, screening at festivals but not so popular with the public.
It is a strange blend of an unfulfilled romance with social action, especially in Africa, highlighting revolutions and wars and dangers to local populations as well as to those coming in to help as doctors and UN representatives.
The film was directed by Sean Penn who has shown significant interest in social issues. The star is Charlize Theron who has shown similar interests and was in a relationship with Penn at the time of the making of this film.
Javier Bardem makes an interesting contribution as a Spanish doctor involved with the local Africans, especially in a long escape journey, along with Charlize Theron, and then in a relationship with her which she suddenly stops. He later visits Geneva where she is in expert advisor and fundraiser to try to understand what had happened.
There are some criticism that this was another film showing white people coming in to save black people – but, while there are some grounds in this criticism in general, it is too much for this film.
Mixed responses.
1. The title? Relevance to global situations? Social concern? Social action?
2. The film by Sean Penn, dramatising his concern for social issues?
3. The impact of the film? Praised by some? Condemned by others? The motivations?
4. The wide perspective on issues in Latin America and Africa? But respect for Latin Americans and Africans in their struggles?
5. The structure of the film, the background of Africa and Latin America, her father, the influence? Her work in Africa, bureaucracy in Europe and Geneva? Interactions with Miguel? The time shifts and intersections?
6. The visuals of Bolivia, the 1980s? The contrast with Africa in the 21st-century? The range of peoples, indigenous, outsiders? The experience of wars, refugees, vital needs, food, medical help?
7. The focus on Miguel, his Spanish background, his work, interaction with his colleagues, his skill in surgery, the details of operations, the harsh conditions? The personal life, his relationship with Wren? Sharing the escape experience of the journey? The break between the two, his remaining working, her going to Europe, lack of communication? The years passing? His going to Europe, the message and her reaction? The helicopter and his death?
8. Wren, in herself, the influence of her father, her work, the visit to Africa, sharing the harsh experiences, the effect on her consciousness, the relationship with Miguel, the long journey on the hardships and dangers, her decision to return to Geneva, working for governments, her policies, the funding, the gala and art shows and the elaborate art background?
9. Wren, work with her staff? Miguel’s return, her reaction, not contacting him for years, the explanations?
10. The overall impact of the film and as a romance, as a drama, social concern and challenge?
