Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: VERDE [New Orleans Film Festival 2020 - Virtual]

The aspect of survival especially in a darker world has to do with the environment. In "Verde" [Narrative Features] playing the New Orleans Film Festival, it is the essence of folklore versus ground hard facts. Everyone on the island is trying to make a buck but gambling and the underworld seems to be the path to quick money...and a quick demise. The lead in the film is just trying to get by but like any underdog story, everyone seems to want to put him down. The bungalow type dwelling adds an intimacy but also a sense of claustrophobia. There is also a sense of honor and work ethic and yet the essence of superstition and religion seems to hang over everything. There also seems to be a prophecy that speaks to who will end up in a position of power. The Don, who despite his stature, seems to understand the power on the island is falling prey to the young crime personalities coming up through the ranks. It is not like anyone is playing with high powered guns. It is balanced in cock fights and ruffling of feathers. Life is about finding a moment's peace where the idea of just staying above water is the order of the day. The irony is that water begins and end the film in a note of reflection though the exact path is unclear. C-

By Tim Wassberg