Bunny Chow
(2006/Global Lens Collection/First Run Features DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Film: B-
After so
much about the end of Apartheid and the endless problems with the usual
adjustment disorders, John Barker’s Bunny
Chow (2006) focuses on the new Black South African youth, on the road to
comedy and self-discovery. Joey, Dave
and Kags are all stand-up comics trying to make it in a Johannesburg at the
Oppi Koppi festival. Can they get it
together?
This is a
drama/comedy that works more often than not and than expected the kind of film
I have seen often before, but from Jamaica (from Palm Pictures in particular)
having a spiritual connection with the better of those films. The acting is also surprisingly good of
mostly unknowns who could land up in breakthrough performances at any
time. The title is a little silly, but
the film has good character development and this is definitely worth a look.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is softer than I would have liked, shot
in HD and made to look black and white, but this never totally works. There is also too much motion blur, but when
it looks good it is nice. The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Stereo is not great and maybe a bit loud, but the location audio is
better than expected. Extras include a
discussion guide, Global Lens Showcase which offers one frame per film with the
option of seeing a trailer in some cases and trailer for the 2008 series.
- Nicholas Sheffo
