Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE BLACK SEA [South By Southwest Film Festival 2024 - Austin, Texas]
The idea of opportunity and possibility is usually marred by reality. With "The Black Sea" [Narrative Feature Competition], director/star Derrick B. Harden creates an interesting but organic journey of a man trying to find advantage in a situation that has gone south. Stuck in a coastal town along the Black Sea in Bulgaria without money after what seems like a scam gone wrong, he is forced to build from the ground up to survive. What is commendable is that the film doesn't devolve the story into one of crime when the character doesn't get what he needs or wants. As Khalid's cousin tells him over Facetime, he has to problem solve and work his way out of...and he rises to the occasion without compromising who he is. It is not like America and, in many ways, that is good. But what had made Khalid feel constrained back in Brooklyn makes him unique in Bavaria. He finds a sympathetic person in Ina (Irmena Chichikova) though that trust needs to be earned on both sides after missteps.
After getting moved in different directions but also sort of getting that there is an overruling lord that seems to rule the town, Khalid finds his niche. He still has his swagger but one can see that he is having a positive impact in the town and being fulfilled in an overall way. He sees the beauty of the place while some other people (including Ina) seem to be stagnated by it. He helps them see the light but sometimes cannot get out of his own way. People make mistakes and life isn't like it is in the movies. There is an aspect of mythology also especially an island off the shore where John The Baptist supposedly had his remains scattered. It becomes an interesting metaphor for the overall film. The film does seem a mix of improv and basic narrative but also seems to employ the use of local non-actors (which again gives the film an organic feel). As a result, the film comes off a bit rough and yet still primarily authentic. Harden gives Khalid a sense of purpose but also of fallacy. While darkness lurks in the town, it does show that if one plays by the rules and doesn't screw up too bad, there is a future. B
By Tim Wassberg
