The weathered, storied face of rapper-actor Saul Williams does the heaviest lifting in “Akilla’s Escape,” an exceedingly solemn crime drama from Canadian filmmaker Charles Officer that benefits from every ounce of his natural gravitas. As a Toronto drug trader facing the ugly roots of his underworld life in the wake of a botched deal, Williams conveys decades of isolation, ennui and internalized violence in a shorthand of creased eyes and twitching lips. Profound but uncomplaining pain seems to seep from his very pores. It’s a crinkled, considered feat of physical performance that “Akilla’s Escape,” unfortunately, doesn’t wholly count on: Instead, an overworked script underlines his trauma at every turn with fussy structural tricks and heavy-handed symbolism.
Despite an essential narrative that could have been plucked from many a straightforward B thriller, Officer’s film announces loftier intentions from its elaborate opening credit sequence, which alternates vintage newsreels and...
Despite an essential narrative that could have been plucked from many a straightforward B thriller, Officer’s film announces loftier intentions from its elaborate opening credit sequence, which alternates vintage newsreels and...
- 6/15/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
“Schitt’s Creek” and “Blood Quantum” were the big winners in the television and film categories, respectively, at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards.
“Schitt’s Creek” led television honors with eight awards for it’s sixth and final season, including best comedy series; best direction, comedy for Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy; and the sixth win in a row for Catherine O’Hara as best lead actress in comedy. “Canada’s Drag Race” follows with five wins, including best reality/competition program or series.
Jeff Barnaby’s “Blood Quantum” topped film honors with seven Canadian Screen Awards, including Michael Greyeyes in the performance by an actor in a leading role category. Tracey Deer’s first feature “Beans” won best motion picture, while Deepa Mehta was awarded best achievement in direction for “Funny Boy.” Michelle Pfeiffer won actress in a leading role for “French Exit.”
Recently departed Canadian thespian Christopher Plummer was the recipient of best...
“Schitt’s Creek” led television honors with eight awards for it’s sixth and final season, including best comedy series; best direction, comedy for Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy; and the sixth win in a row for Catherine O’Hara as best lead actress in comedy. “Canada’s Drag Race” follows with five wins, including best reality/competition program or series.
Jeff Barnaby’s “Blood Quantum” topped film honors with seven Canadian Screen Awards, including Michael Greyeyes in the performance by an actor in a leading role category. Tracey Deer’s first feature “Beans” won best motion picture, while Deepa Mehta was awarded best achievement in direction for “Funny Boy.” Michelle Pfeiffer won actress in a leading role for “French Exit.”
Recently departed Canadian thespian Christopher Plummer was the recipient of best...
- 5/21/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
There is a palpable sense of exhaustion and an air of dread over nearly every scene in Akilla’s Escape. It’s no wonder that despite the legalization of marijuana in Canada, Toronto-based drug dealer Akilla Brown is desperately trying to leave the trade. After all, in the film’s first thirty minutes, Brown has watched as a man is hacked to death before his eyes, was held at gunpoint, and was forced to knock out said gunman with a shocking act of quick-thinking. Meanwhile, his decision to exit the dealer life has drawn consternation from his colleagues. And he still has to break the news to “The Greek”––who, we can infer, is most likely not going to be happy. Oh, and Akilla must also step in to save the adolescent gunman’s life before he is suffocated to death by one of the Greek’s henchmen.
It’s not an easy night,...
It’s not an easy night,...
- 9/13/2020
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
One of the most powerful ways that filmmakers can truly connect with audiences is to completely delve into the real-life issues that are plaguing modern society. Canadian-based director Charles Officer is effortlessly doing just that with his new crime noir movie, ‘Akilla’s Escape.’ The award-winning helmer, who also co-wrote the script with Wendy Motion Brathwaite, […]
The post Toronto International Film Festival 2020 Video Interview: Charles Officer, Saul Williams and Thamela Mpulmwana Talk Akilla’s Escape (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Toronto International Film Festival 2020 Video Interview: Charles Officer, Saul Williams and Thamela Mpulmwana Talk Akilla’s Escape (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 9/12/2020
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.