The War Zone 1999
The War Zone 1999 - A Review
The War Zone is a 1999 British drama film directed by Tim Roth in his directorial debut, and starring Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Lara Belmont, and Freddie Cunliffe. The film is based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Alexander Stuart, and takes a blunt look at incest and sexual violence in an English family.[1]
The film follows Tom, a 15-year-old boy who moves from London to a rural house in Devon with his parents and his 18-year-old sister Jessie. Tom feels alienated and lonely in his new surroundings, and soon discovers a dark family secret: his father is sexually abusing Jessie. Tom struggles to cope with this shocking revelation, and tries to stop the abuse, but finds himself powerless and conflicted.[2]
The War Zone 1999
The War Zone is a disturbing and powerful film that does not shy away from showing the brutal reality of incest and its devastating consequences. The film has been praised for its realistic and uncompromising portrayal of a taboo subject, as well as for its excellent performances by the cast, especially Winstone and Belmont. The film also features stunning cinematography by Seamus McGarvey, who captures the bleak and beautiful landscape of Devon.[3]
The film has also been criticized for being too graphic and depressing, and for offering no hope or resolution for the characters. Some viewers have found the film hard to watch or even unbearable, due to its explicit and violent scenes. The film has also been controversial for its depiction of incest, which some have seen as exploitative or sensationalist.[4]
The War Zone is not a film for everyone, but it is a film that challenges and provokes the audience to confront a difficult and sensitive issue. The film is a bold and courageous debut by Roth, who has said that he wanted to make a film that would "make people angry".[5] The film is a masterpiece of British cinema, and one of the most important films of the 1990s.[6]
References:
[1] The War Zone - Wikipedia
[2] The War Zone (1999) - IMDb
[3] The War Zone (1999) - Plot - IMDb
[4] The War Zone Movie Review & Film Summary (2000) Roger Ebert
[5] Tim Roth: 'I wanted to make people angry' Film The Guardian
[6] The War Zone: Tim Roth's unflinching look at incest BFI
