Here are our picks for what you should watch this week.
White God
Hungarian film White God begins with the always heart-wrenching premise of a dog and his young owner being separated from one another. The government fines people for owning mixed breed dogs and the girl’s father refuses to pay it, so Hagen is left abandoned. The dog goes through a series of embarrassing and painful endeavors, abused by humans at every turn. It’s enough to turn a sweet dog mad, and it does just that. A revolt breaks out against humans, with Hagen leading the charge of discarded and beaten dogs.
The message of White God is heavy-handed, and there’s little ambiguity in what it’s trying to tell, but it’s difficult not to be affected by it. It’s an unambiguous condemnation of oppression and hatred for the “other,” with dogs standing in for a long line of humans who have been treated similarly. The film is mostly acted out by dogs, and it works surprisingly well — you could make a case for handing out some Academy Awards to the four-legged cast. The opening scene — a flash-forward that depicts a young girl on a bike with a couple hundred dogs behind her — is gripping enough to keep you watching to learn if they’re chasing or following her.
Byzantium
Byzantium follows a mother and daughter vampire duo who are forced to seek asylum after killing a member of a secret society. The search for safety leads them to a near-abandoned coastal city, where the mother turns a hotel into a brothel and the daughter attends college. A classmate of hers outs her as a vampire, and the group that had forced the pair to flee finally catches up with them. The tale, told through a series of flashbacks and moments in the present day, is a beautifully shot and chilling thriller.
Transcend
When Wesley Korir won the Boston Marathon in 2012, it was a long time coming. The unknown star who ran track at the University of Louisville had to pay his way into marathons and participate with the general public until his times kept improving to the point that he couldn’t be ignored any longer. As fascinating as his backstory as an athlete is, it’s his transition into politics that might be the most interesting turn he takes. It even leads him to a position in the parliament in Kenya.
Narcos Season 1
Netflix has continued to roll out more originals, most with considerably less fanfare than its big successes like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. The latest of the low-key releases is Narcos, a crime drama that tells the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar — otherwise known as the King of Cocaine — and the dangerous Medellin Cartel, which was one of the most prolific and successful organized crime groups to ever operate.
Misery Loves Comedy
There’s rarely a comedian without a little darkness in their path or sadness in their life. The best humor often crawls out of those dark places, and the documentary Misery Loves Comedy explores that idea. In talking to tons of comedy’s biggest stars of past and present, the film examines the underbelly of comedy and those who perform it. If nothing else, it’s worth a watch for some hilarious anecdotes and candid moments.
