Redbad - Scaling living with courage
I love historical films that shed light on the dark side of the past. When history unfolds on the big screen, I don't care how faithful the story is to historical facts, because I'm not going to blame or call anyone to account for what happened in times I didn't live through. I'm only interested in the costumes that symbolize past lives and what the story promises. I also like the atmosphere that is created, at least it gives an idea of the way of life of the people of the times in which the story takes place.
Redbad, a 2018 Dutch film produced in the Netherlands, with its story set in a time when Europe was divided in two and the last Europeans fought against Christianity, was one of the productions that I found quite successful in its genre, regardless of the historical events that took place.
At a time when it was very difficult to live and the courage to kill if necessary to survive was instilled in all people, I do not judge any event because I think it is unfair to the people of the period to filter what was done through the filter of right or wrong. Especially considering that the story of the movie takes place at a time when Christianity was spreading all over Europe, my opinion about the story progression on such a sensitive issue that proceeds on such a thin line will be limited to the movie.
The movie Redbad offers different perspectives with its detailed descriptions of primitive life and the use of primitive weapons, living in communities, making joint decisions and protecting the interests of the peoples to whom they belong. I liked the way power is shown through the characters the most in the movie, where courage, fighting and killing come to the fore, where the strong live and the weak die or accept captivity. Every character in the movie draws attention with their physical strength as well as their warrior appearance, and the emphasis is constantly on the fact that the weak deserve to die. You may agree or disagree, but let me tell you this much; it suits the atmosphere and story flow of the movie.
Small details of human life that are unknown in history are successfully staged in the movie. Intrigues and lies about power and power grabbing; it offers examples that will not negate the prejudice that human beings will maintain their place in every frame of existence. I liked the costumes and the fight scenes with swords. The action is added to the movie in doses and the sense of ownership in the relationships between two people and communities is handled beyond nationalism. Thinking about today, I may find this strange, but in the times in question, perhaps it was seen as a necessity in order to survive.
It is another tragic story that the genocides committed in the name of religion in history have not ended yet, and I find it valuable that the movie Redbad has this kind of teaching. The fact that the course of history has not changed yet does not mean that it will not change forever. I find the contribution of cinema and television series important in this.
Gijs Naber, who gave life to the character of Redbad, was the one who achieved an actor's performance that I liked with his character transitions in the moments of submission and opposition. When he threw himself back for a while when he should have been in the forefront due to the story, it revealed a character who shirked responsibility. I didn't like his performance in those moments, but fortunately it didn't last long and he knew how to take the wheel.
I think anyone who likes movies where characters and swords do more of the talking will enjoy Redbad. I recommend you to be more interested in the story flow rather than the plot. Instead of looking for right and wrong, focus on the human dimensions of the movie. So you will enjoy the movie more, if you are still waiting for a recommendation; definitely watch it!
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Thank you for being here and reading. I wish everyone who is going to see the movie a good time. I hope you enjoy the movie and have a good time. See you again and goodbye!