Rojek goes back and forth between those who are guarding Islamic State (ISIL) prisoners and the prisoners themselves. We get a variety of ISIL perspectives: one person insisting no one can ask him about his wife and daughters, a woman who was a child bride, a guy who says they should kill everyone who doesn't believe what they believe. Some even regret what they have done up to a point.
The concept of the documentary is a bit intriguing, talking to an audience who normally wouldn't appear on camera. Then again, their overall views can be found rather easily as the media tend to love airing right-wing views and run away from left-wing views.
Zaynê Akyol gets surprisingly open commentary from ISIL prisoners. They are almost too open so the audience might be a bit skeptical. One woman speaks in French so her story isn't as simple as isolation.
You could imagine gathering intel from ISIL prisoners or searching for motivation as to why they would join ISIL. They would have to sit through the interviews. Asking general movie patrons to watch is a bit of a struggle.
You should have some idea on what and where about the particulars since there is very little information presented as the documentary opens. Akyol doesn't get in the way of what the prisoners say, which is good, but the average filmgoer may not follow the significance of what they are watching.
Akyol lets their words speak for themselves. The other footage is various, random spots with a long burning fire. The footage breaks up the rhythm of the film but isn't clear what we are watching and why.
The documentary has some moments of insight that are worth watching. That said, watching the film is a chore, even for a documentary.
Rojek was a surprise selection for Canada's entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards. Giving the honour to this film does raise awareness to this film but feels like a waste of a pick.
Rojek is Canada's entry into the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
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The film won a Special Jury Prize from the Best Canadian Feature Documentary jury at the 2022 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
Rojek isn't likely to make the shortlist. The last Canadian film to have such an honour was the Xavier Dolan film It's Only the End of the World | Juste la fin du monde. That was 7 years ago.
Your humble narrator has seen the last 27 Canadian entries in this category, counting Rojek. The most recent one I haven't seen is Not Me! | Sous-Sol from the Oscars in 1997.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces the 2024 Oscar shortlist on December 21. We will know the 5 final nominees on January 23, 2024. The 96th Oscars will be held on March 10, 2024.
video credit: YouTube/Icarus Films
photo credit: Rojek
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