By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Renzo Martens
Country: netherlands
Year: 2010
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1444307/
Diane says: “Looking for a new perspective on global poverty? You’ll enjoy Dutch artist Renzo Martens’ provocative forays into World Bank meetings, UNHCR camps (asking a camp director, ‘If someone wants a shelter, does it -have- to have a logo on it?’), and plantation employee housing. Posing as a journalist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Martens turns everything on its head by claiming that African poverty, which creates revenue for wealthy Western countries that supply aid, is a natural resource that belongs to the poor, and should be exploited by the poor.
“Renzo tries to help some Congolese turn their trade from photographing local parties into the much more lucrative photography of war and malnourished children. His approach is crazy, but effectively detached. He teaches us to always ask the question, ‘In whose interest is this?’ Recommended. 4 cats.
“(Seen at Salem (MA) Film Fest.)”
Thom asks: “How would you compare this to THE YES MEN & THE YES MEN SAVE THE WORLD?”
Diane responds: “In my extensive education (in the last five minutes) of reading reviews of those two films, I would say that there are two major differences:
1. ENJOY POVERTY is not funny.
2. Martens’ work doesn’t happen only at public forums and business conferences, in the halls of the powerful; he also spends a lot of time (in the film) meeting with Congolese in their villages. Even when he uses absurdity to make a point, he shows the perspective of those whose lives are at stake.”