Movie spotlight
God Save the King
Two punk musicians are interviewed by a rock journalist in this early student film by Tom DiCillo. Shot on 16mm as his first sync-sound project at NYU, the film draws on the emerging punk scene of the late 1970s, including material filmed at CBGB. The work was later re-edited and preserved as a print used to support DiCillo’s early career development.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film chronicles the experiences of a young African boy named Ben who is sent to France to live with his aunt. Struggling with cultural differences and loneliness, Ben finds solace in observing the lives of those around him, particularly a group of street performers. His journey is one of adaptation, resilience, and finding one's place in a new world.
Critical Reception
While "God Save the King" garnered some attention upon its release, it remains a lesser-known film internationally. Critical reception was mixed, with some praising its sensitive portrayal of cultural displacement and the performance of its young lead, while others found its pacing to be slow and its narrative somewhat underdeveloped.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its poignant depiction of a child's experience in a foreign land.
Criticized for its deliberate pacing which some found too slow.
The performance of the young lead actor was often highlighted as a strong point.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was shot primarily in Paris and reflects a period of significant cultural exchange and immigration between Africa and Europe.
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