ALIEU THE DREAMER
US, 2020, 88 minutes, Colour.
Denzel Whitaker, Hayley Webb, Rick Hearst.
Directed by Quincy Leadbetter.
This is a brief drama with touches of comedy, with a touch of science fiction and science fantasy.
Alieu is an African-American young man, his name from West Africa meaning strong, who tries to make ends meet with menial jobs, supporting his girlfriend and their child.
The inventive premise of the film is that humans have not been able to dream for three years. However, Alieu does dream and this is brought to the attention of a religious leader, paralleling many of the charismatic religious groups in the United States. He wants Alieu to be part of his church, trying to persuade him, offer him money. And it was a serious young man and questions what is being offered and what he must do. The Rev is very persuasive, dominating – but it is under investigation and enquiry, and Alieu is used to expose him.
The setting is contemporary with the difference about dreaming and the consequences for people as well as religious hypocrisy. Which means then that this is something of a moral parable about integrity.
- The title, the focus on dreams and dreaming?
- The city settings, the poorer neighbourhood, apartments, streets? The cult headquarters, affluence? The television studios? The musical score?
- The premise, three years and nobody dreaming, and you the exception, Venus and his pretence, using the pretence to build up his cult?
- Alieu, ordinary citizen, but his dreams, the contact, the effect on him, his fears? The situation, dishwashing, his girlfriend, their daughter, the tensions, support?
- The portrait on Venus, personality, leadership, the parallels with tele-evangelists, setting up his cult, the disciples and their faith in him, the sessions, his pretending to have dreams?
- Maya, at work, the Department, searching for people who dreamt, her family background, connections with the Venus and the cult? Her finding out you?
- Venus and his power, the exercise of power, calculated, political, pseudo-religious, his style? Seeking Alieu and using him?
- The meeting with Alieu and Venus, Maya, the proposal to you, the money, clothes, his acceptance?
- The decision to go to the meeting, well-dressed, the drive, Maher and her trying to protect him, Venus and his power over her, succumbing? The influence of the family members?
- The test for a you, overhearing Venus, his reaction, learning, his final decision?
- The exposure of the cult leader? The integrity of Alieu? Yet the background of the strange phenomenon of nobody dreaming?
