Film review of Kangamba

1. How does the film, Kangamba, show Cuban internationalism in Angola?

Considering that this film was made by cuban director Rogelio Paris, does actually a good job showing how the country worked intervined in the Angola struggle for liberation. The battle between UNITA and FAPLA was intense, and the constant attacks from one side to another where shown in that way in Kangamba.

During the period, Cuba sent Angola medical and military assistance, and that was essential to the development of the country and its eventual end.  

2. What was the most impactful scene for you? Why?

For me, the most impactful moments in the film were two. First, the scene where the soldier who lost one of his eyes went to the battlefild to continue supporting his companios, saying that he could still fight as his “winking eye” was already closed. He was quickly sent back to rest by his superior, becuase he didn’t wanted him to continue struggling.

The second scene that I found impactful is when, after the enemies secure the river area, they started to eat toothpaste so they wouldn’t dehydrate.

None of these scenes are very well done, however, they still manage to show the horribleness of war.

3. What was something you like and something you disliked about the film? Why?

Before I say what I like and what I dislike about Kangamba, I must talk about something. This film is pretty ambitious. And that ambition is its best ally and also its worst enemy, becuase in the end it was still pretty low quality. Take, for example, the CGI airplane battles scenes. At first, they look very good, but in the middle of it the textures dissapears and the scene becomes a (funny) grey mess. I know that making an animation is very hard and expensive, so I appreciate the effort put on it and I respect the production team for taking risks.

So, on to the things that I liked. I must admit that, even if the script isn’t well written at all, the way it shows cuban internationalism and the war is very acceptable. You can clearly tell that Angola is suffering, and that is something not everyone can do.

What I disliked are the characters. None of them are good, specially the protagonist. Mario appears in, like, ten scenes, and we are still supposed to think that he is the hero, even if he isn’t shown doing anything more than complaining. At one point, I assumed that he was dead because half an hour have passed and he was nowhere to be seen.