Neither Chains nor Wizards is a good movie? Viewers have their say on the story of slavery with Camille Cotin and Benoit Magimel

You may not know his name, but his movies do. Because Simon Mutairu worked with Ian Gozlan (Burn Out, Black Box) and Julien Leclerc (L’Assaut, Braqueurs) as a co-writer. But we bet that will change with its first production: no chains, no wizards.

The film, set in 1759 on the island of Mauritius (then called Isle de France), during slavery, a powerful and rare subject in French cinema, which it approaches without neglecting its love of form and genre. And here’s how he presents survival around the Marooning story (“Those who break the chains, those who run from the plantations, those who resist”the director tells us).

But what did the first viewers think of this powerful story, in which Ibrahima Mbaye Chie and Anna Thiandum are surrounded by Camille Cotin and Benoit Magimel?

With an average rating of 3.9 out of 5* from 38 ratings, it is currently the second highest rated film of Simon Mutairo’s career behind Black Box (4.2) and Goliath, for which he also wrote the screenplay.

As for his actors who are most identified with the general public, we have to go back to Soul (4.2), where he participated in the French version in 2020, to find a better rated film in the filmography of the film. Camille Cotin. Otherwise, this is his peak in actual footage. As for Benoit MagimelNeither Chains nor Masters start at the same level as Revoir Paris.

What do viewers say about it?

“What does the rating really matter”said Ion DhWhich gives it a 5 out of 5. “This work is an essential duty of memory, national history and humanity, something that France has never been able to do before, cinematographically, but not only, and which, moreover, will turn out to be a tour de force as the first work of its director and a revelation of grandeur. talent”.

“Photography is incomparable, with rare sensitivity, light and sound resonate emotionally”he continues. “The success is undeniable, the message is vital – and as such, too often forgotten, taken for granted.” that Pldu75 Confirms by giving the same assessment: “Neither Chains nor Masters is primarily a necessary film to end the blindness of decades of slavery in French cinema, but it is not only a powerful and faithful film.

“Neither Chains nor Masters is also a motion picture with a fantastic cast (Ibrahima Mbaye and Thiandum Anna Dihere), catchy music and great visuals. We’re coming loaded. It’s a must-see.”

for that Francois Truffaut (no link), this is a “A film that takes us to the heart and soul. The precision of the acting, the brilliant lighting, the ambitious direction. It is rare to see such dynamism in French cinema. But above all, a necessary film on a subject that has never been addressed by French cinema: slavery. The representation of the redeeming victim is neither chains nor Neither masters prefer the heroic and proud figure of Maroni.

“It’s rare to see so much momentum in French cinema”

“The reconstruction of the sugar cane plantation, as well as the story of the maroonage of the island of Mauritius in the 18th century, had a great impact on me. And what can I say about the production that tells the story of survival! It is intense and overwhelming!”confirms VictoriaWhich shows that Simon Mutairou’s ambition to make a real motion picture on the subject is visible on the screen.

“Simon Mutairou, inspired by his Beninese heritage and stories of slavery, delivers a work that is powerful and poetic”writes on his page direct-actu.fr “The film’s strength lies in its unprecedented portrayal of the Maroons, the forgotten heroes, and their quest for freedom. The striking contrast between the beauty of the island and the brutality of the slave system heightens the emotional impact.”

“The film also has very beautiful cinematography, very careful and elaborate, very high quality for a first film”– he said in turn Adele reviewsWhich gives only 2.5 out of 5. “It’s interesting the first part of it, this chase, then the very long second part that means so much and that goes on, neither the chains nor the wizards are half as believable.”

“Interesting first part of it, then very long second part, which means a lot”

A review of which can be found here Alice025 (Also 2.5 out of 5): “The first part is quite painful, but when it comes to the slave hunt, the pace loses steam, the story slows down with repetitive scenes.”

“The film shot in Mauritius gives us the opportunity to admire the beautiful natural environment, but the whole production did not always look good to me, and this time the sequence of the film does not always flow well. This reduces the interest of the audience.”Finally he writes Corrick Bernard Give him the same rating.

In short, everyone welcomes the theme and treatment of neither chains nor masters. Be it survival form, staging or technical aspect apart from acting. No one doubts the importance and necessity of the project, but the rhythm and the script are more controversial and netizens mention two unequal parts in the story.

and you What are your thoughts on neither Chains nor Masters?

*Remarks on Wednesday 18 September 2024