Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Lee Eisenberg African cinema is not generally the most widely seen. You've probably never heard of Fanta Régina Nacro. However, if "La nuit de la vérité" ("The Night of Truth" in English) is any indication, she is an impressive director. Set in an unidentified African country, the movie depicts an attempted reconciliation between the ethnic groups who have been at war for ten years. However, wounds continue to fester.I got the feeling that the movie was alluding to the Rwandan Genocide. I understand that the one saving grace of that infamous chapter in world history is that the Rwandans decided to never again view each other as Hutu or Tutsi, just as Rwandans, and a number of the people who participated in the genocide publicly apologized to each other. Similarly, Nelson Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa to help both sides deal with the memory of apartheid. As Nacro's movie shows, reconciliation isn't necessarily that simple. These issues are the remaining effects of colonialism in the continent.Another thing that I like about these movies are that they show us cultures that we don't often see. Indeed, I had never even heard of the Dyula language and people until I saw this movie. It's amazing what you can learn by avoiding Michael Bay movies. I recommend the movie.

ratcityfilmsociety A great war film, as well as a great anti-war film. The war is "over" and reconciliation is to begin in an unnamed West African nation's civil war. The leaders of both sides and their entourages meet at a village/compound to sign the paper. There are many axes to grind in this savage world that is to be left behind. The word Shakespearean comes up over and over again in regard to this film. As a huge fan of the Bard, I will affirm that those words are well placed. The story was built around a point in time where people's attitudes and behavior toward each other were expected to change instantly. It showed the harsh realities that people were going to have to live with in order to live in peace. The hate filled and vengeful obstacles that arise made me more aware of the particularly cruel nature of civil wars. I would recommend pairing this film with a very different film in a similar vein "Si le vent soulève les sables", set on the opposite side of the continent and the characters are from other side of the power spectrum. War is savage.

Vishal Agrawal Two tribes come together for a reconciliation. Two men can't party if they have killed each other's sons.Message of the film is 'peace'. The whole thing is done in a very slow speed so to be able to narrate more and more atrocities. Frankly you get tired when you see the same thing or hear the same thing again and again in a film but in here director had a complete vision of the story. She new that each story of atrocity was adding to the tension and building up the climax. Climax is done beautifully. Whole experience has left me with a bitter taste. This probably is one of the most violent film. One of those flick where camera, actors, locales don't matter a penny. You are glued because of the story. Still Brilliant performances by females actors. Films like these leaves you thinking and you learn your own lessons. Leasson I learnt is that there are issues which can't be reconciled by the same people who made the issue. Like caste system in India or apartheid in western world. It takes a whole new generation to see the issue from a new point of view. So it is important to either not create the issue at all or wait for the slow process to take its own time. Very honest cinema.

dellh I just returned from a screening and Q&A on this film and am frankly speechless. The film is incredible, beautiful and brutal all at the same time. What's more even more unbelievable is that there are only 4 professional actors in this film! Can you guess which ones? You won't be able to - the performances are that honest.The violence is graphic and your mouth will fall open in shock but the suspense is so well done that you will not be able to look away.I'd also have to say that memory plays a very important role in this film, in fact it is pretty much a character in the film. Just as developed, complex as the actors.Look out for Fanta Regina Nacro. She is a genius.