Regie: Etienne Kubwabo – Speelduur: 124 minuten
Cast: Wam Siluka Jr, Paul Stirrat,, Alex Jackson, Craig Andrew Mooney …
Genre: Thriller – Originele taal: Engels
Etienne Kubwabo, a filmmaker with an impressive portfolio of documentaries, music videos and commercials, makes his debut as a feature film director with The Difference Between Us.
Alex Watson (Wam Siluka Jr) is a young black man who spent his childhood in the remote Scottish Highlands, raised by white adoptive parents – Carla (Kirsty Scott) and Ryan (Andrew McGeachie) – who always surrounded him with love and protection. However, his world changes dramatically when he moves to Glasgow to attend college. Alex’s sheltered upbringing has contributed to his kind nature but has not prepared him for what it means to be black in today’s society.
In Glasgow, Alex shares an apartment with Laura (Alex Jackson) and Michael (Paul Stirrat). Laura immediately makes him feel at home, while Michael is a complex individual with a dark sense of humor. Both roommates have their own problems, but it is Michael who quickly gets entangled in a difficult situation at work. His boss, Pete (Craig Andrew Mooney), is involved in shady dealings and unfortunately, Michael – and therefore also his roommates – gets dragged into these dark affairs.
The Difference Between Us has impressive cinematography, featuring beautiful shots of the vast Scottish Highlands and the urban landscape of Glasgow. Additionally, the balanced use of colors, especially in earth tones, contributes to the mood and visual aesthetics of the film.
Despite the actors having some experience in front of the camera, this was their first feature film. At times, the dialogues felt too choreographed; improvisation might have given some situations a different dynamic. However, the protagonist, Wam Siluka Jr, delivered a very convincing performance and his character was the most captivating for me. Shortening the film by a couple of minutes could have not only heightened the tension but would also have given the actors room to handle their dialogues more smoothly.
The film’s script is captivating and offers an intriguing insight. The Difference Between Us managed to hold my attention and took me on an emotional journey through the world of these characters. Kubwabo’s debut is undoubtedly an impressive film with a profound human message.
aeyenah 