Thread: Sinking sands

Originally Posted by Village-Boi

Ok my copy arrived this weekend and I watched it today. What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said? Not much really.

I don't actually agree with it needing some 'light-hearted' scenes; I think it was always meant to be a dark, hard-hitting story and it worked very well for me. There isn't much to fault so I'm giving it a 9.5/10 score.

It is a film that, using a Nigeria/Ghana benchmark, is higher than high. The cinematography and fluidity of the camera is constant and that without a doubt takes the film to a mega-level. Every scene was a mini-movie in itself. Leila Djansi IS a badazz talented director and she knows the importance of working with 'actual professionals' (talking about crew here). I must give the sound recording 110% - simply amazing quality and very well captured.

The only 2 things I didn't like that much -

Lighting - It lacked consistency throughout the film - very good in some parts and in some parts you wondered if it was done by the same crew - In the overall package this is a minor issue and still much better than a vast majority of Naija films but not upto the level of lighting skill shown in Viva Riva IMHO.

Colour Grade - I'm only bringing this up because it is yet another dissapointing bit of post-production from the RED camera that has tons more to offer. It was jarring to see the shifts all over the place; from dull and bland to washed out and blown highlights... come on you have RED RAW data to work with. However, in it's defence I will say we are climbing a mountain and will, I think in the next few years, get to a point where colour grading becomes an important part of our process. If the film was shot on any other digital camera in the world I wouldn't have given a damn or minus mark for the colour grade.

i guess we differ on the light hearted moment parts but you sound like some friends who like dark films.

on the color part, I think she did that on purpose. I noticed the colors became more blown out and washed out and almost green in the night scenes as the story got darker. I also read an interview (i'll try and find the link) where she made mention of the fact that they went for that kind of lighting scheme to make the film more disturbing and also used tight sets to give the claustrophobic feel. IMHO, it worked!!! moreover, more and more films are adopting the mixed color thing. you see like 4 different colors. cool interiors, warm exteriors, cold nights and warm nights depending on the character whose scene it is. its a style. and I'm more than sure it was done on purpose. Viva Riva is a film print (originally on the 5D) and went through DI so it has a whole new kind of temperature and It doesn;t tell its story with lighting.

but I think you're right when you say the film doesn't looked like it was processed unless that was also done on purpose because the trailer looks processed and more satiny. heard ties that bind is major major major. and from the trailer, looks like she used warm colors. i just love how she works with colors. its amazing how much she knows about storytelling.

Originally Posted by Angela81

on the color part, I think she did that on purpose. I noticed the colors became more blown out and washed out and almost green in the night scenes as the story got darker. I also read an interview (i'll try and find the link) where she made mention of the fact that they went for that kind of lighting scheme to make the film more disturbing and also used tight sets to give the claustrophobic feel. IMHO, it worked!!! moreover, more and more films are adopting the mixed color thing. you see like 4 different colors. cool interiors, warm exteriors, cold nights and warm nights depending on the character whose scene it is. its a style. and I'm more than sure it was done on purpose. Viva Riva is a film print (originally on the 5D) and went through DI so it has a whole new kind of temperature and It doesn;t tell its story with lighting.

but I think you're right when you say the film doesn't looked like it was processed unless that was also done on purpose because the trailer looks processed and more satiny. heard ties that bind is major major major. and from the trailer, looks like she used warm colors. i just love how she works with colors. its amazing how much she knows about storytelling.

I understand what you are saying about her 'lighting scheme'... I get films using various 'tones' for different aspects of the story - that's not what was going on in this film to me. Very good lighting, don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the film at all but you can see where it 'differs' in places - that's not the word I'm looking for (It's 2.40am here). It doesn't come across as well controlled in all scenes... in some scenes it was off-the-charts-amazing.

'Colour grading' is not an easy thing at all and Naija/Ghana filmmakers don't really do much of it. Especially when dealing with RED footage the person or posthouse grading seriously has to know what they are doing and can't do a 'rush' job... but there are other factors - Are we willing to pay to get a 'proper' grade done?
Viva Riva didn't have those jarring shifts and you would expect far more 'accidental' blown highlights on a DSLR shoot... not on RED ONE.
The RED ONE has what? 12-13.5 stops of latitude but shoots RAW and a DSLR has about 10-11 and shoots in a crap 4.2.0 colour space - worlds apart!
(I'm not doing a very good job explaining myself! those interested in the convo can watch This short clip)

Don't mind me, all I'm doing here is being a 'pixel-peeper' knowing what can come out of a RED. Even here some people shy away from the RED knowing that shooting with it = No problem... Dealing with the DATA & post = That costs way too much & is a headache.

Is the film brilliant? Absolutely. I loved it and I bet I'll probably like everything she makes cos she is damn good.

I liked sinking sand all the way till the end bit. It was a bit of a let down how the story ended. It was suppossed to be a dark movie hence the colour grading style. If you want to be entertained, this is not really the movie for you. At the end, I was like, is that how she is gonna end it? Like I saw that coming from a mile away. But in total, I like the film and will give it a 7/10.

Originally Posted by Oluwalekki

I liked sinking sand all the way till the end bit. It was a bit of a let down how the story ended. It was suppossed to be a dark movie hence the colour grading style. If you want to be entertained, this is not really the movie for you. At the end, I was like, is that how she is gonna end it? Like I saw that coming from a mile away. But in total, I like the film and will give it a 7/10.

I think one of the 'problems' we have is accepting 'life can be harsh' and many hard-hitting issues get swept under the table. We sometimes don't want to face our own 'demons'. I did very, very much enjoy the film; will watch it again during the week.
Lol, I still have issues with the colour grade because 'just darkening' a shot doesn't make a 'dark' story. In reality I shouldn't have any issues with it because Naija & Ghana are not there yet when it comes to that part of post-production. It's a personal thing... it's not nice seeing crappy RED footage. That actually could be the problem - If I compare it to 'regular' Ngr/Gh stuff then it's a 'good' grade... but it's hard to compare it to that when we don't really do any and comparing it to what 'really should have been possible' turns it into a crap colour grade. Just saying.

Originally Posted by Village-Boi

I think one of the 'problems' we have is accepting 'life can be harsh' and many hard-hitting issues get swept under the table. We sometimes don't want to face our own 'demons'. I did very, very much enjoy the film; will watch it again during the week.
Lol, I still have issues with the colour grade because 'just darkening' a shot doesn't make a 'dark' story. In reality I shouldn't have any issues with it because Naija & Ghana are not there yet when it comes to that part of post-production. It's a personal thing... it's not nice seeing crappy RED footage. That actually could be the problem - If I compare it to 'regular' Ngr/Gh stuff then it's a 'good' grade... but it's hard to compare it to that when we don't really do any and comparing it to what 'really should have been possible' turns it into a crap colour grade. Just saying.

Recommend some scenes (the good and the bad) in terms of the color grade make I look at them again

Originally Posted by NTB

Recommend some scenes (the good and the bad) in terms of the color grade make I look at them again

No probs, I'll watch it again in a couple of days and then get back to you.

Originally Posted by Village-Boi

No probs, I'll watch it again in a couple of days and then get back to you.

Thanks

Originally Posted by NTB

Thanks

You're welcome. I've sent you quite a bit in a PM.

Aight technicalities aside..I thought it was a good movie that could have been better with a better screenplay...I didn't think the movie was particularly dark, I like dark movies, but the whole movie just seemed to have this monotoned sad feeling....really good stories/movies usually take me through a range of emotions...I laughed I cried...One that comes to mind right now is the movie "The Help"...although it's a somber movie...there are scenes where you are laughing..scenes where you are almost crying..scenes that get you inspired. Sinking Sand is a good movie...a little punch could have made it better...

Originally Posted by Kala Lou

Aight technicalities aside..I thought it was a good movie that could have been better with a better screenplay...I didn't think the movie was particularly dark, I like dark movies, but the whole movie just seemed to have this monotoned sad feeling....really good stories/movies usually take me through a range of emotions...I laughed I cried...One that comes to mind right now is the movie "The Help"...although it's a somber movie...there are scenes where you are laughing..scenes where you are almost crying..scenes that get you inspired. Sinking Sand is a good movie...a little punch could have made it better...

Nicely said!

:

Originally Posted by Kala Lou

Aight technicalities aside..I thought it was a good movie that could have been better with a better screenplay...I didn't think the movie was particularly dark, I like dark movies, but the whole movie just seemed to have this monotoned sad feeling....really good stories/movies usually take me through a range of emotions...I laughed I cried...One that comes to mind right now is the movie "The Help"...although it's a somber movie...there are scenes where you are laughing..scenes where you are almost crying..scenes that get you inspired. Sinking Sand is a good movie...a little punch could have made it better...

Originally Posted by Village-Boi

You're welcome. I've sent you quite a bit in a PM.

PM rec'd and will check out the scenes this weekend

Finally, I watched the movie last night and loved it. i was seriously hoping that she will cheat with the doc on that messed up monster of a husband. why some women insist on staying in such abusive relationships is beyond me....I cannot wait for her next movie.

Originally Posted by samira

Finally, I watched the movie last night and loved it. i was seriously hoping that she will cheat with the doc on that messed up monster of a husband. why some women insist on staying in such abusive relationships is beyond me....I cannot wait for her next movie.

Yes ooo at the bold