Moonlight (2016)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2016
	Director: Barry Jenkins
	Actors: Alex Hibbert, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Trevante Rhodes, Naomi Harris
	Country: USA
	Genre: Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 20.02.2017, Schauburg, OV sneak preview, English version
Synopsis: A bullied boy ('Little", Hibbert) is growing up with a lack of love and guidance in the suburbs of Miami, his life as an isolated, beleaguered teenager ("Chiron", Sanders) and finally his persona as a man ("Black", Rhodes).
Review: In three steps we follow the lives of usual or typical people of North American suburbs. Unlike most of the movies about these suburbs, there is no extreme violence, no death. There are just people who play with friends, try to build their identity, try to get a job. But their surroundings do not help. Drug dealer has to be considered as normal job, as any other. Being bullied and beaten for nothing happens. Having homosexual tendencies is barely accepted. Both parents are needed for a child's education. Well, the same problems as anywhere else. But here, the education is self-made. The parents do not support their children. The children do not support one another against the strong ones. The dreams of job are limited by the education and by the origin.  The acting is amazing. I specially liked the variable drug-addict mother Naomi Harris, the friendly drug dealer Mahershala Ali and the disconcerted quiet Ashton Sanders. All complex roles that are actually close to life, including the dilemma, the relaxed life, the fun and the hard times.  The image dynamic composition is excellent having three stories carried out quietly but always in movement. All the characters got close-ups and room for their body language. It looks sometimes like slow dancing on the screen.  I love the story-telling as well as the realisation. This is a good sign for the promosing director Barry Jenkins. I will definitely try to see more from him.
Rating: 8 /10