Table of Contents Show
- DIRECTOR: Lanie Zipoy
- WRITER: Chisa Hutchinson
- CINEMATOGRAPHER: Darren Joe
- GENRE: Drama
- CAST: Jason Biggs (Phil), Aunjanue Ellis (Leslie), Anabelle Acosta (Jess), Nile Bullock (Malcolm), Carra Patterson (Marley), Caleb Eberhardt (Kwame)
As we attend the “Bentonville Film Festival” this week, we will expand, learn, and grow in our knowledge of cinema. More importantly, regarding our knowledge of the world and how others perceive it. Today we will do that with The Subject.
The “Bentonville Film Festival” was founded in 2015 as a non-profit organization that focused primarily on underrepresented voices and diverse storytellers. The festival focuses on women, LGBTQIA+, people of color, and people with disabilities. They aim to amplify and focus on that narrative of cinema, a narrative that is not typically told in such a span that the festival does. To quote,
“The Foundation believes that by taking real action with content creators, talent, influencers, advertisers, and content distributors, we can accurately reflect the gender balance and diversity of our country. Our goal is to create a seismic change in how media inspires young minds to do great things.”
Through extensive research and action, the “Bentonville Film Festival” has created a festival that makes people like us feel included. It creates a safe space to tell our stories, which are so rarely told. More than eighty percent of the feature films showcased are directed by women; sixty-five percent are BIPOC, and forty-five percent are focused on LGBTQIA+. The seven-day event, which runs from August 10th to the 16th, will include virtual screenings, panel discussions, and special live events taking place throughout the week.
“BFF’s” vision is for:
“The “Bentonville Film Festival” Foundation is to be focused on working with its partners to foster inclusivity in media and entertainment to produce a positive influence in the community at large.”
We are so humbled that they have asked to be involved. We look to promote and amplify the voices of anyone who exists in this world and we are happy that “BFF” is doing the same.
The Subject
The film has a simple premise to it, for the most part. On the surface, The Subject is centered around a white documentarian who deals with the fallout of his last film. The film caught the murder of a Black teen on tape. While he films a new doc series titled “HOOD,” someone else tapes his every move.
The Screenplay
The premise of The Subject is what brought me to this film in the first place. A man who exploits PoC for his own ego? It is such a spectacular premise, and with the climate, you cannot pass up. The premise, for the most part, is executed excellently. The third act falters, personally, I did not quite enjoy the fight sequence, but I did enjoy the final act.
The conversation, the acting, everything worked. It brought up themes and topics that I think fulfill what the film was about. Although the third act faltered, the concept of why this film is relevant still stands. It creates a conversation about race, exploitation, and making sure to right your wrongs. The premise of why this film was made is what matters and that is what bleeds through. Minute infractions within the mise-en-scene do not matter when the film is so important and radiantly constructed. Again, we try not to spoil too much about these films, but this one covers a lot of ground. The diversity, the Black culture, the rawness of Black culture, the rawness of privilege… it covers so much in two hours.
The performances make a movie like this, and the performances knocked it out of the park. Each actor came and showed up and did what they could with the roles given. Super impressive performances, especially from the intense scenes in the third act. I found this to be the most moving film. Maybe it is because it relates to the world right now or maybe it is because it related to the world back then; either way, though, it resonates with you, at least it did for me. One important thing about cinema is that it always sticks with you, no matter the time or place, this is one of those films. It will stick with you, no matter the time or place.
The Directing & Cinematography
Zipoy’s directing and Joe’s cinematography is unquestionably wonderful in The Subject. The use of close up and wide shots is one of the many things that bring you into the narrative, especially a narrative such as this. I thought the past to present narrative was amazingly directed, the transitions were smooth in that I just wanted to see more of the past with Malcolm. Shots would bleed together so well that when the past to present changed you wouldn’t even know it.
There were many times I paused just to take in the shot or to take in the picturesque view. Something that stood out was the view of each character, Phil lived decently, his views were always breathtaking. But Malcolm and the various other Black characters always have a distinctive shot choice, not so much mesmerizing but intense and rugged, typically in documentary form.
It solidifies the outlook that Phil sees them in. The extreme close-up of Kwame after his mother died was haunting. That scene, in particular, was one of my favorites. So beautiful. I find that the most intimate moments are through the camera (( the fourth wall camera that they shoot the show with )) and through the close up shots (( 42:41 )). Directing is one of the highest moments of The Subject, (( 45:19 )). Directing and cinematography work incredibly well together as a unit — the color palette is perfectly aligned with the themes being presented. It just all worked, editing, directing, cinematography, music — it all worked and it worked remarkably well. It made for a pleasant film.
Add This To Your Watchlist… ASAP
The Subject is a film about forgiveness, but it is also a film about loss and grief. It is further a film about recognizing your mistakes and the parts that you take in the narrative, even if they are negative parts. Being able to say “sorry,” regret your mistakes, think about others… that is what being human is. Throughout the film, that is what Phil lacks, yet by the end, he may learn to continue to strive forward with a different mindset and a stronger vision about just who he sees as art.
