Tangerines (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #31.2 extract: Tangerines (2013)

Tangerines is a tremendous anti-war film that is ultimately not so much a blind statement for peace, but a narrative about fighting for the truth and for what is good - and with as little bloodshed as possible. 

Centred around the Abkhazia War of the early 90s, this is a very simple film somewhat reminiscent of No Man's Land from 2001 that sees two wounded soldiers from opposing sides forced to live alongside one another in a farmer/carpenter's house. With a sumptuous earthy colour pallet and perfectly paced realist camera work, we then are immersed in a series of character scenes that, without ambiguity and pretence, exude strength and stoicism through a commentary on masculinity that isn't contrived and condescending, rather, genuine and affecting. I can't then help but recommend this movie; it is not the most original film you will ever see, but it is certainly faultlessly executed.