“Beasts of No Nation” is a 2015 war drama film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala. The film follows the story of Agu, a young boy living in an unnamed West African country who is forced to join a group of rebels led by a charismatic and brutal commandant, played by Idris Elba.
Synopsis:
Agu’s village is caught in the crossfire of a civil war, and he is separated from his family after a brutal attack. He is then taken in by the rebels and forced to fight in their ranks. The commandant takes a particular interest in Agu and becomes a father figure to him, while also introducing him to the violent and ruthless tactics used by the group. As the war drags on, Agu is forced to confront the horrors of his actions and the effects they have on his psyche.
Review:
“Beasts of No Nation” is a powerful and unflinching depiction of the brutality of war and the impact it has on those caught in its crossfire. The film is anchored by an incredible performance from Abraham Attah, who plays Agu with a raw and visceral intensity. Idris Elba is also exceptional as the charismatic but terrifying commandant, bringing a sense of nuance and complexity to a character that could have easily become a one-dimensional villain.
Fukunaga’s direction is unrelenting, never shying away from the violence and horror of war, while also taking the time to explore the psychological toll it takes on Agu. The cinematography is stunning, capturing both the beauty and devastation of the West African landscape.
Awards:
The film received critical acclaim upon its release and was nominated for numerous awards. Idris Elba won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, while Abraham Attah won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress at the Venice Film Festival. The film was also nominated for several other awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for Elba, and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.
| Directed by | Cary Joji Fukunaga, |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Cary Joji Fukunaga |
| Based on | Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala |
| Produced by | Amy Kaufman Cary Joji Fukunaga Daniela Taplin Lundberg Riva Marker Jeffrey Skoll Daniel Crown Idris Elba Uzodinma Iweala |
| Starring | Idris Elba, Kurt Egyiawan, Jude Akuwudike, Emmanuel “King King” Nii, Adom Quaye, Abraham Attah, |
| Cinematography | Cary Joji Fukunaga |
| Edited by | Mikkel E. G. Nielsen Pete Beaudreau |
| Music by | Dan Romer |
| Production companies |
Red Crown Productions Primary Productions Participant Media Parliament of Owls |
| Distributed by | Bleecker Street Netflix |
| Release dates | September 3, 2015 (Venice) October 16, 2015 (Worldwide) |
| Running time | 138 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | English Krio Twi |
| Budget | $6 million |
| Box office | $90,777 |
