BFI - Film Review

1. Read the Into Film Festival guide to 'Gone Too Far' that contains some general info and a few questions ('Discussion points') for you to think about and answer on your blog.

• Which different cultures does the film highlight? Identify scenes in which the characters illustrate differences between these cultures.

- English Culture  

- Nigerian Culture

- African Culture

- Asian Culture 

Differences between the Asian and Nigerian/African Culture are evident when Yemi goes to the shop for Okra and the shopkeeper's daughter automatically assumes that he will steal on entry to the store, so she says " I've got my eyes on you" 

Differences between the British culture (Armani) and African/Nigerian culture are shown when Yemi and his brother try to talk to Armani and Paris. There is a difference shown as Armani thinks and quite clearly shows that she thinks less of Yemi because he is Nigerian originating quote "...third world countries". 

• The brothers’ journey through the film is triggered by a need to buy some okra for their mother. What is okra? How does buying it relate to the wider issues explored in the film?

Okra is likely to have originated from somewhere around Ethiopia and is known as 'lady fingers' in many English speaking countries. It is a flowering plant in the mallow family valued for its edible green seed pods. Yemi and his brother buying Okra relates to the wider issues of the film because you see the divide between the English culture and what they eat compared to African-originating food choices. The divides between the difference cultures not only between the people but also there ways of going about live despite living in the same country/area as each other.    

• Discuss the role of the music and in particular the visit of the artist Hi Res to the radio station. What comment do you think the filmmaker is making through the music and the character of Hi Res?

I think the film is trying to comment through the music and the character of Hi Res not to forget your roots,be ashamed of them or hide them. Hi Res kind of hides his roots to start with giving off that tough boy exterior from the 'ends'. So, you wouldn't think he is Nigerian/African-originating which is evident when he talks with Yemi's brother in the language and is not ashamed to do so. 

• The film touches on sensitive issues, so why do you think the filmmaker uses comedy to tell the story? Can you think of similar narratives in which the genre doesn’t seem to match the story’s themes?

The filmmaker uses comedy when covering tough issues because they can be tough for people of those cultures to see portrayed on screen particularly when they are portrayed in such a serious manner. Another film that explores cultural difficulties is 'Second Coming' looking at the life and struggles of a family living in London offsetting it with comedy.   

2. Carry out some additional research if necessary - the IMDB website about the film is a good place to start - and then write your own original 300 word review of the film. Post up the review on your blog, then copy it out by hand onto the competition entry form which you'll receive in your lesson. 

Destiny Ekaragha has done it again and brought us Gone Too Far! A spectacularly hilarious short feature film adapting Bola Agbaje’s play of the same name on an ultra low budget. The film dives into exploring the cultural clashes between Yemi and his estranged brother Ikudayisi who is visiting London for the very first time.

In the film, set in Peckham London teenage boy Yemi is trying so hard to fit into the British culture, he makes sure he wears all the right clothes and listens to the right music. Yemi is a typical footie fanatic and has his eye on local hottie Armani, and has set his sights set on getting her attention, but she only seems interested in using Yemi to get her own back on her ex-boyfriend Razor wanting to make him jealous and regret dumping her. Nevertheless, Yemi continues to pursue Armani throughout the film, as he believes he really has a chance with her but just as they get talking Yemi’s estranged brother Ikudayisi with his strange fashion sense throws a spanner in the works when he arrives from Nigeria speaking his native tongue Yoruban, when he gets excited which is quite often.

The brothers are sent out by their mother to get some Okra for the evening  but in the film set over one day, the brothers cannot stop arguing, even when they are in the library, where they are meant quite! Over the day, Yemi attempts to ditch Ikudayisi and eventually succeeds in a bid to attract the attention of Armani. However, Yemi’s brother gets himself into some mischief and ends up being beaten up by Razor amongst other ventures. Despite, the difficulties the boys have over the day there love-hate relationship definitely keeps us entertained. Destiny will we be seeing another installment?   

3. Write your own 500 word argument on your blog either for or against the debate proposition: "This house believes that films featuring ethnic minorities should only be produced by those who have the ethnic identity being represented."

I am against the debate proposition because I strongly believe in living in a world of equality rather than a world of racial and cultural divide, which is what, would probably happen if it were the case that those who have the ethnic identity being represented only produced films featuring ethnic minorities. Just because somebody is not of the same ethnic background that is being represented in a film there is nothing that suggests they would represent that background wrongly. However, having said that despite not purposely intending to represent another ethnic minority wrongly some people may feel that they are not given a fair representation so they automatically assume it is down to the ethnic background of the director or producers.

I am also against the debate proposition because when films are created directors, writers etc do not just go into creating them with their eyes shut, not having done any research. All creators of films do their research before endeavouring on a project. They always make sure that they understand the cultures that they are representing. However, some people could feel that the representation that is displayed is not fair because sometimes representations of ethnic minorities only scratch the surface. Some may feel that the representations do not really provide a fair and accurate judgement of their culture.