Displaying items by tag: David Jonsson

BONHOEFFER

Ireland/Belgium, 2024, 132 minutes, Colour.

Jonas Dasslow, August Diehl, David Jonsson, Moritz Bleibtreu Vincent Franklin, Clarke Peters.

Directed by Todd Komarnicki.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is considered one of the great Christian figures of the 20^th century, the first half of the 20^th century, his stances in spoken and written word, in action, against Nazi fascism leading to his death. The title of his most famous book, The Cost of Discipleship with its distinction between cheap grace and costly grace, has been powerfully influential on the nature and living Christian discipleship.

The subtitle on the advertising and promotion is not in the film itself. But, there are three tantalising words: pastor, spy, assassin to evoke curiosity.

Bonhoeffer is sponsored by Angel Studios, the American Christian production company, responsible recently for Sound of Freedom, Cabrini. Filmed in Ireland and Belgium, the principal members of its cast are German, Jonas Dasslow effective as Bonhoeffer with quite some resemblance in features. Veteran Moritz Bleibtreu is Bonhoeffer’s father. August Diehl is a minister who defies the Nazis and goes to prison. David Jonsson and Clarke Peters appear in the US sequences.

This is a portrait of Bonhoeffer, not a full biography, but a highlighting of key issues in his life. In fact, there are quite a number of other films about Bonhoeffer, some biographies and in 2025, another cinema portrait, Holy Traitor.

There is a complex structure for the screenplay, some initial sequences of the family in 1914, the experience of World War I, an introduction to the lively young boy, Dietrich, the strong influence of his supportive parents and siblings. But, then there is a transition to 1945, Bonhoeffer imprisoned, memories of his past, his impending execution. Which means then that the flashbacks are always seen in the light of his ultimate fate and faith.

Commentators have pointed out that there are many aspects of Bonhoeffer’s life that are not included, years of serious academic study in Germany, an engagement with a young friend and her visiting him in prison, the writing of his books. And, some changes in factual aspects, especially the location of his death.

However, the flashbacks build up a portrait of an earnest young pastor, studying in New York, bored with the formal studies, a black friend, Frank, opening his sensibility towards jazz, introducing him to the spirituals, discussions with the black Baptist leaders who challenge him to his understanding of lived faith, authentic religion, and an experience of violent racism at a hotel in Washington DC.

On his return to Germany, his family filling him in on what is happening, the rise of Hitler, targeting the Jews, Bonhoeffer is at first in disbelief, then taking strong stances, listening to a firebrand Protestant pastor lauding Hitler and Nazism, challenging his friends, preaching and the military walking out despite applause from the congregation.

Over the years, Bonhoeffer writes, takes stances, teaches in a seminary which is closed down and the students enlisted to fight, visits to England and is appeal to British clergy, his being invited to participate in a plot to assassinate Hitler, his going to the Swiss border for an exchange of Jewish prisoners.

Bonhoeffer was arrested along with his brother-in-law, jailed for a year and a half, the film showing the almost liberation of the prison, Bonhoeffer, before his death, solemnly celebrating the Eucharist and Communion ritual, symbolic of his readiness to die.

There have been quite a number of films about Dietrich Bonhoeffer but here is an opportunity to see him, admire him, reflect on his moral choices, reflect on his faith, costly grace and the final cost of his discipleship.

1. Status of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a 20^th-century champion against fascism? A Christian champion? This film is a portrait, tribute?
2. Audience knowledge of Bonhoeffer, his life, ministry, anti-Nazi, the Confessing Church in Germany, his stances against the Nazis, the plot to assassinate Hitler, his arrest, execution? His writings, the Cost of Discipleship?
3. Jonas Dasslow and his resemblance to Bonhoeffer? The opening, the family, the period of World War I, the play between the brothers, the chasings, Dietrich and his being venturesome, his brother going to the war, his death, in the coffin? The grief, the parents? Dietrich playing the piano, upset?
4. The structure of the film, the continued linear narrative, the leap ahead to the arrest and imprisonment, his memories in prison, the flashbacks? The overall effect of this portrait and the various pieces?
5. The incidents included in the screenplay? Aspects not included, his extensive studies and academic achievements while young, the friendship with Maria and the engagement, the prison visits? Not focusing on his writings or the publication of his books? The change of venue for his execution? The record and his naked execution? Yet what is included giving a portrait?
6. Dietrich as the German in the United States, the lecture scenes, his being bored, Frank and his getting Bonhoeffer involved in the Baptist Church, the choir, the enthusiastic congregation? And the jazz, a mystery to Bonhoeffer, playing the piano, getting into the rhythms? His return and playing the spirituals, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot to the Germans?
7. The effect of America on him, changing perspective of religion, churchgoing, congregations, participation, the nature of faith? The discussions with the Rev Powell, his presence, perspectives, in the church, the choir? That the meal table, testing Bonhoeffer’s beliefs and faith? Suggesting the trip to Washington?
8. His return to Germany, the 1930s, the rise of Hitler, the importance of the discussion sequences, Dietrich and his disbelief about Hitler’s dominance, the opinions of his father, his brother-in-law, the rest of the family? The support of his mother? His shock, the targeting of the Jews, his experience of racism in the US – and the incident of his getting a room in the Washington hotel, the violence at reception, against Frank and them both?
9. The discussions with Martin Niemoller, his caution, listening to the aggressive Nazi clerical preacher, his fanaticism? The impact on Bonhoeffer, writing, preaching, discussions, the sympathetic bishop, his sermon, the Nazis present, his strong words about faith, the Gospel, Hitler usurping God’s role? The walkout of the military? The applause of the congregation?
10. His observation of the rounding up of the Jews, intervention, the elimination of the old Testament, making Jesus Aryan?
11. His visit to England, the discussion with Bishop Bell, his speaking to the assembled clergy, their hesitations? The episode with Churchill and his wife supporting? The later visits to England and support, his ministry there? Not supporting him, fear of an invasion?
12. Martin Nieoller, his apology, his sermon, the family meeting, his son, wife, the arrest, and years in the camp?
13. The seminary, the young men, earnest, the football game, Bonhoeffer and his lectures, his decision to go to Berlin, his brother-in-law, subversive, Resistance, the plan to assassinate Hitler, Bonhoeffer giving his consent, the image of the bus driver dangerous and about to kill the children, destroying the bus driver? His pacifism? Lies, the visit to the authorities, his allegiance, not believed, his getting the money from Sweden and England, the choice of the seven men, taking them to Switzerland, the disbelief, at the border, the bribe, their freedom? This money laundering used against him in the court?
14. The seminarian, coming to Berlin, the news of the destruction of the seminary? The visuals of the assassination attempt on Hitler, the assassin, the explosives, Hitler getting into the car, disposing of the bombs?
15. The bond with his brother-in-law, the arrest? In prison, in the cell, the disgraced doctor and his imprisonment, scepticism? Bonhoeffer, his writing in the Bible, his memories, the nightmares in the night? The bombs falling, escape from the cells, the man running away and being shot, the others rounded up, the Bible dropping in the mud, the sympathetic soldier and his forcing Bonhoeffer, retrieving the Bible? The transfer?
16. The court findings, the gallows, the soldiers in prisons lined up, Bonhoeffer and the communion sequence, the bread, the communion, including the soldier?
17. Bonhoeffer at peace, on the gallows, the hanging?
18. Bonhoeffer and his achievement, his stances, the significance of action? And the condemnation of the German churches for not standing up and speaking out against Hitler?

ALIEN: ROMULUS

US/UK, 2024, 120 minutes, Colour.

Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu, David Betts, Ian Holm facial and voice.

Directed by Fede Alvarez.

Reviewer advice. First, this is definitely a film that needs to be seen in the cinema, in the dark, the impact of a large screen and high-tech sound system. Second, this is a film of continued tension, the skill in making its audience feel on edge throughout the film, prolonged time unrelieved, enhanced because this is a serious narrative futuristic story incorporating an atmosphere of terror.

For older audiences, it is amazing to think that it is 45 years since Ridley Scott directed the original Alien, its making such an impact in its time, and the emergence of Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, setting a mark for women in leadership/warrior roles. Alien: Romulus is the seventh Alien film, set in time between the original and Alien 2.

There were a number of Ripley sequels, there were also the two prequels, Prometheus and Covenant. With Alien: Romulus, there is a younger director, Fede Alvarez from Uruguay, who made his mark with some American horror thrillers, Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe. But, while he certainly draws on his capacity for horror and terror, this is a ambitiously vast project. And, it has the advantage of many references to the original film, quite a number of parallels in the action. It opens on a planet light years from Earth, a sunless planet, owned by the mining company, the men and women there virtually slaves, trapped in hard labour.

The main part of the film, however, is on the space ship, large but claustrophobic, high-tech but menaced mysterious and ugly creatures. They resemble those in the original film as do some of their origins (memories of creatures emerging from human bodies).

This time the characters are young, in their 20s, trapped in the mines, discovering a possibility for escape, to get to the abandoned spaceship and travel to a freer destiny. The central character is Rain, played by Cailee Spaeney, a pleasant and enterprising young woman, the firm friend of a high-tech android, Andy (a most sympathetic performance by David Jonsson, nicely genial and indulging in puns and wordplay, then reprogrammed to higher intelligence and loyalty to the mining Company, his skills essential for escape and survival. There is the sympathetic Tyler, his wilful and obnoxious cousin, Bjorn, Tyler’s pregnant sister Kay, Bjorn’s girlfriend, Navarro.

Most of the action, of course, is on the space ship, the discovery of the alien creatures, the sense of menace and terror, refuge and escape in various parts of the space ship, Rain assuming more and more leadership, becoming the new Ripley.

The film works well as a contribution to the Alien franchise, satisfyingly linked to the previous films and the original, but powerful in its ability to keep audience nerves on edge for a great deal of the action, at times unrelenting tension.

1. The seventh Alien film? 45 years after the original? Audience expectations, the various sequels, other explorations of the themes? The success of this film?
2. The time setting for this film, after the original, prior to Aliens 2? The original film, Ripley as survivor and her appearance on the other films? Not in this film? But the connections with the first film, the space ship, its mission, the experimentation, the creatures, the androids, the company, explorations of space, for the planets?
3. The time and the place, light years from Earth, futuristic, space exploration and travel? The opening, the mines, the company, contracts, slave labour, Rain and her wanting to leave, the digging? Her relationship with Tyler, Tyler with Bjorn, Bjorn and his relationship with Navarro, Kay and her pregnancy, and the importance of the android, Andy, sympathetic, the number of puns and play on words?
4. The atmosphere of the film, the creatures and aspects of horror and menace, the atmosphere of terror and its pervading the film and its effect on the audience?
5. The oppressive town, mining site, no sunlight, the humans as slaves to the company? Tyler, his reaction, gathering the group, the plan, to travel to the space ship, to travel to the distant planet? Their working together, the escape, arrival on the space ship, Romulus and Remus?
6. The human characters, Rain, her experience, her wanting to leave the mine, hesitant, trusting Tyler, ordinary but about to emerge as strong heroine? Tyler, leadership, hopes, keeping the group together? The contrast with Bjorn, obnoxious, critical, sabotaging? Navarro, her character, with Bjorn, with the group?
7. Andy, the sympathetic android, personality, British accent, manner, human qualities, intelligence, the bond with Rain, as a brother? And the range of puns and jokes?
8. The episodes on the space ship, the technology, the discovery of the creatures, the pursuit, tenacity, closing doors, isolating? Andy and his contribution, helping? Bjorn and his antagonism, his decisions, the escape, death? Navarro, the creature clutching her, trying to disengage it, ultimately her dying? Kate, her pregnancy, her being trapped?
9. Andy, the control, loss of power, Rain and her substituting the mechanism, his greater intelligence, but at the service of the company? Rain and her ingenuity, the dead, the destroyed androids, then mechanisms?
10. The importance of Rook, the link with Ash from the original film, the use of Ian Holm’s face and expressions, similarity a voice? His explanations, at the service of the company, the mission, the creatures, the power? Rook and his trying to control Andy? Confronting Rain? His destruction?
11. The crisis, the Xenomorphs, vicious, the visual appearance, memories of the creatures of the original film, their infiltrating the human bodies, the shock and then bursting forth? Kay, being trapped, the creatures, her giving birth to the monster, its confronting Rain and Andy?
12. Rain, using her wits, ingenuity, relying on Andy, transforming him back to his original relationship? Rain, the dangers, the confrontations, with the monster from Kay, the deaths of the other members, her becoming a new Ripley?
13. The buildup to the climax? The dangers, Andy and the rescue, rain and her success, setting for the future planet?

MURDER IS EASY

UK, 2023, 117 minutes, Colour.

David Jonsson, Matthew Baynton, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton, Douglas Henshaw, Mark Bonnar, Sinead Matthews, Jon Pointing, Tom Riley.

Directed by Meena Gaur.

Looking at the many negative comments on the IMDb, one wonders whether the choice of the Nigerian as the central character set up prejudicial reactions to the film. On the other hand, the many Agatha Christie fans who like her stories and appreciate different interpretations, have enjoyed it.

In checking on the Wikipedia synopsis of Agatha Christie’s 1939 novel, this version keeps very close to the characters and the plot developments. It had been filmed in 1982 with Bill Bixby as the investigator, Lesley Anne Down as his associate, Helen Hayes as the old lady, Miss Marple like, who observes the murders – and Olivia Haviland as the murderer.

The cast here is not so well-known. In changing the investigator (who in the original returns from overseas postings) to a Nigerian, it has something of the same effect. Although, this is 1954 and there are some immediate reactions to his black presence.

The investigator encounters a Miss Marple like character on a train, played by Penelope Wilton, who tells him of murders in her village (more dangerous than St Mary Mead) and then she herself is murdered. He travels to the town, encounters a young woman at coroner’s sessions, judged accidental deaths, but she is engaged to a self-made peer who has ambitions to transform his village into a modern development.

He seems to be the obvious murderer, plenty of motives and, later, revealed to be fanatical in his attitude towards anyone who opposes him, working with God, so he says, to strike down his enemies. And, with this explanation, it might seem that Agatha Christie has decided that the obvious person is the killer. However, there is a twist and after the detailed explanation about how the villain might have committed all the murders, there are the visuals scenes of the actual killer and the actual murders, building up to a confrontation and rescue.

The end of the novel, the couple is married – not quite the easy romantic fix in this one!

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie novels? This one from 1939 but set in 1954, the Nigerian character, the major and his overseas service, minister and his service in India and his Indian wife, comments about Nigerian independence, British rule, Partition?
2. 1954, the scenes in London, the streets and the betting? The train ride, the village, the names, accommodation, shops and pubs, the mansion, tennis, doctor’s office…? Real feel? The musical score?
3. Luke Fitzwilliam, the opening, his nightmare, the fire and chase, the knife? This recurring? And the finale with the knife? His background in Nigeria, coming to England, political service, the job in Whitehall? The encounter with Miss Pinkerton, friendly, the story of the murders, the betting, his placing the bet, the race and her winnings, her death? His discussion with his friends, their taunting him about his job, independent in Nigeria, is very Britishness?
4. His decision to investigate the situation, arrival, the sessions, accidental deaths, the encounter with Bridget? Some reactions to his being black? Accommodation? No vacancies – giving the money, vacancies? The invitation to the reception? Bridget and her engagement to Lord Whitfield? His manner, the back story, the development? His deals during the war, acquiring the peerage?
5. The story of the murders, the Weir, falling from the building? The further deaths, the minister and his attack and collapse, his later death? The maid, the poison? The outspoken objector at the hearings and his death? The doctor, under suspicion, his collapse and fall at the engagement party?
6. The visit to the poor return, the hostility in the pub, the change, friendship, the women at the engagement party, engaging them for the expose of the murderer?
7. Fitzwilliam and his discussions with Bridget, his investigations, the experience at the Weir with the water, the rescue? His presence at the maid’s death? The later suspicion of him by the police? His involvement with Lord Whitfield, the tennis game, the attraction to Bridget? The engagement party? Lord Whitfield’s reaction?
8. The range of suspects, the doctor and his medication, the revelation of his eugenic books and ideas, the Indian wife and her daughter? Rose and her attraction to the doctor, her being shocked at the books? The doctor and his opportunities, suspicious behaviour, playing up to Lord Whitfield? The surprise of his collapse and death?
9. The major, walking the dog, or haughty towards Fitzwilliam, Is Speaking the language, finding the right time, collaboration, the information from Scotland Yard?
10. The minister, his arguments against Lord Whitfield and the development, his Indian wife, daughter? The funeral?
11. Miss Waynefleet, in the background, the death of her maid? Her back story, emerging, as stories about Lord Whitfield, the buildup of the case against Lord Whitfield, his outbursts about God being on his side, threatening Fitzwilliam?
12. Investigation, the discussions, the clues toured Lord Whitfield, the realisation about Miss Waynefleet, her drugging Bridget, the walk, the talk, attempting to kill her, the rescue?
13. The final solution, Fitzwilliam and his decision to return to Nigeria for independence, and the attraction for Bridget?