Last Updated on 2016-05-18 , 3:56 pm
Okay, I know Leo’s Best Actor win for The Revenant is a huge thing (and we’ve also written an article about it), but it isn’t the only reason why you should watch this movie.
The movie’s director also won an Oscar for Best Director.
Director Alejandro Iñárritu demanded a great deal from his cast and crew, and got it delivered, in the form of a cinematic masterpiece that is breathtaking yet brutal, peaceful yet vengeful, all at once. The entire film was shot in natural light, meaning that the cast and crew had only around 2 hours every day to capture the shots they needed. This involved rehearsing for hours before that, so that shooting during the “natural light window” would proceed smoothly. This led to DiCaprio likening the filming experience to “live theatre”.
Stunning, absolutely stunning scenery.
The film was shot mainly in Alberta, Canada and included other locations in nearby Montana state and also Argentina. The audience is often left to contemplate the chaotic battle scenes and brutality that DiCaprio’s character faces from the tranquility and haunting calm of the white wintry wilderness. The shots on this film are an artistic achievement unto themselves.
It was very, very difficult to make.
At some point in the film, you will find yourself wondering “how on earth did they make this?” (Note: You’ll probably find yourself asking this question many times since it’s nearly impossible to be completely immersed in the film-watching experience. Unless you have a very high tolerance for gore/violence.) Much more than the famous bear scene, other parts of the film show dangerously cold shooting conditions and all sorts of hardship that were nearly as real offscreen as it was onscreen.
It shows a lesser-known, interesting piece of American history.
What was America before it became the 50 states, as we now know it today? For someone (like me) who only has very rudimentary knowledge of American history, and mostly limited to the modern-day kind, this film is a pretty fascinating look into a very different America.
Important messages.
As DiCaprio pointed out during his Oscar speech, the film is about Man’s relationship with his environment. As people started seeking to tap into the natural resources of the largely-untouched land, Nature also responds savagely and holds Man at its mercy. The film also touches on several other topics– of the plight of indigenous people, indigenous history, the politics of natural resources and many more.
While it’s difficult to find direct relevance from the film, in our far-from-winter, far-from-any-wilderness Singapore, perhaps what we can take away, as we stream out of our local GV theatre, is the sheer aural and visual spectacle of The Revenant. An urgent and timely piece.
The Revenant is still showing in cinemas. Rated M18 for some violence and gore. For those who faint at the sight of blood, get ready to watch this film through your fingers. (I did.)
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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