Hollow City is a 2004 full-length movie directed by Angolan-born director Maria Joao Ganga. The film is one of the first to be produced in Angola since the end of the civil war, and the first film produced by an Angolan woman. Filming was done on location in Luanda, Angola. International versions of the film are in the Portuguese language with English subtitles.
The film centers around the life of an orphan named N'dala, who is taken to the city of Luanda after the death of his parents during the Angolan civil war. Wanting to return to his hometown of Bie, N'dala flees from the nuns who have saved him into the streets of the city. He wanders from place to place meeting various figures, such as a young man named Ze who tries to help him find a home. Later in the film N'dala is taken under the wing of a criminal named Joka who exploits him for his own uses.
***SPOILER ALERT***
A Harsh Luanda Portrait Through a Child's Eyes
FREDDY:
Hollow City takes us to Luanda in 1991 through the eyes of N'Dala, a boy orphaned by war. The setup is emotionally strong and historically meaningful, especially considering this was one of the earliest Angolan post-war productions and the first feature by an Angolan woman director.
Hollow City takes us to Luanda in 1991 through the eyes of N'Dala, a boy orphaned by war. The setup is emotionally strong and historically meaningful, especially considering this was one of the earliest Angolan post-war productions and the first feature by an Angolan woman director.
KRASNAYA:
The film's atmosphere really worked for me. Even though it was made in 2004, it genuinely feels like a direct window into 90s Luanda and the long shadow left by war.
The film's atmosphere really worked for me. Even though it was made in 2004, it genuinely feels like a direct window into 90s Luanda and the long shadow left by war.
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| A pity that this guy wasn't an important character. |
Atmosphere and Music Work Better Than the Acting
KRASNAYA:
N'Dala is the emotional center of the movie. His innocence and openness make the tragedy hit harder. The music, especially the saxophone passages, adds a heavy sadness to nearly every scene.
N'Dala is the emotional center of the movie. His innocence and openness make the tragedy hit harder. The music, especially the saxophone passages, adds a heavy sadness to nearly every scene.
FREDDY:
The jazzy soundtrack is definitely one of the strongest elements. But even with great atmosphere and context, the acting quality often pulls the film down. Some performances feel too stiff, which made it harder for us to stay fully engaged in the drama.
The jazzy soundtrack is definitely one of the strongest elements. But even with great atmosphere and context, the acting quality often pulls the film down. Some performances feel too stiff, which made it harder for us to stay fully engaged in the drama.
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| Got to love that Kizomba dance 😂 |
Final Verdict: A Relevant but Uneven Watch
FREDDY:
The story is simple and the ending is fairly predictable, so in our case it did not fully land emotionally. Still, as a cultural and historical snapshot of Luanda, the film remains interesting and worthwhile.
The story is simple and the ending is fairly predictable, so in our case it did not fully land emotionally. Still, as a cultural and historical snapshot of Luanda, the film remains interesting and worthwhile.
KRASNAYA:
I agree. If you are curious about Angola, this one is worth seeing despite its flaws.
I agree. If you are curious about Angola, this one is worth seeing despite its flaws.
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| Fudeu! |
Krasnaya's Score
50/100
Freddy's Score
55/100
FINAL SCORE
ZE MEETS N'DALA
KIZOMBA
BREAKING AND ENTERING
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