close

press enter after type

IMG_3487 (2)

Howling Of The Wolfpack

by Andrew McDonald 8 years ago

Gobsmacked by THE PACK.

I’m certainly no stranger to having a good old reminisce about seeing a film and as an afterthought find some significance with what was happening in my life at the time allowing the film to become permanently ingrained in the moment. This time I’ll cast sentimental urges aside and focus on the now for in the days following a festival screening of Crystal Moselle’s The Wolfpack I’ve been left with the most overwhelming sense of sadness which I believe needs to be addressed. The film has kept me in a bit of a daze and has continued to send the occasional prodding shockwave to the system, a kind of reminder of what I had witnessed. I don’t intend to review the film so much as to explore or examine this funk that I’ve been left in with hopes that the weight will slide from my shoulders. If putting pen to paper can help me disconnect then so be it as The Wolfpack popped my sheltered little bubble and forced me to come to terms with and accept the tired and ugly fact that it’s one hell of a cruel world out there. Furthermore, it proposed a terrifying likelihood that what I saw might just be an unfortunate snap shot of a ‘happens-more-often-than-you-think’ type of tragedy. In any case I’m compelled to exercise some demons while this unsettling cloud rests overhead.

 

A powerful documentary will often haunt me for a long time afterwards as in most cases it rightly should. It’s a fact that I’m acutely aware of because in some instances it may take years to completely shuffle off depending on the magnitude of the experience. Should the film have that profound effect I also like to verbalise in the moment, I’m helplessly prone to release a barrage of ‘no shits!’ ‘Holy shits!’ and ‘I can’t believe this shit goes on’. Now if I really enjoyed a piece of fiction I might recommend it for a period but as the memory fades so does the ever-so-significant free press bestowed upon it, unless of course I happen to re-watch and fall in love all over again. On any given day Citizen Kane will get bumped from my top spot for Raging Bull or Vertigo but I never make a point of insisting anyone go and see these films whereas with documentaries I rarely need to see a good one more than once. Providing I’m hit by the sheer impact of the story or left marvelling at the director’s balls for trespassing guerrilla style into unwanted territory, I’ll keep faithfully showering it with praise for years to come. I have an arsenal of documentaries committed to memory that I could recommend right now with utmost certainty that the listener will find of value, all of which I have only seen once and in most cases over five years ago. Where scripts fail to ever be recalled again I can always manage to navigate through the plot of a good documentary with photographic precision regardless of the time passed. It’s all there swimming around my mind ready to surface on command, awaiting its recommendation to the next unsuspecting victim that dares utter the words ‘seen any good films?’

 

In six months or so we may be referring this film as Academy Award winning documentary The Wolfpack – it would be fantastic to see it get captured in that Oscar noise. It would also be comforting to know that the lives of its subjects will continue to soar and enter our stratosphere for years to come. They certainly show the tenacity to stick around and prove to be more than deserving enough to have their names up in lights but to reflect on what was presented in the film alone (regardless of what the future may bring) I must say has left me with a heavy heart. To briefly recap, The Wolfpack is the result of filmmaker Crystal Moselle happening to stumble across six young, long haired, oddly dressed and painfully reserved teenage boys in her neighbourhood. The Angulo brothers: Mukunda, Bhagavan, Govinda, Narayana, Jagadisa (now Eddie) and Krsna (now Glenn). Their very manner and appearance was striking enough to encourage Moselle to uncover more about their origins particularly as she had failed to notice them around an area of which she was all too familiar prior to this encounter. Although none of this is revealed onscreen, Moselle has since confirmed the nagging question of how she earned their trust and ultimately how she was granted access to the boys’ home by wooing them with her involvement in filmmaking. What Moselle finds is that the boys have been confined to a small lower east Manhattan apartment for their entire lives at the insistence of a controlling and clearly dangerous father. Their loyalty lies with their defenceless mother, a subject of the film who herself undergoes a monumental transformation and with anguish we observe their harrowing journey to an external freedom.

 

I say external because their one saving grace that the film establishes immediately is that The Wolfpack (coined affectionately by the director) have found solace and liberation via an abundance of DVDs. Movies are the one pastime they have not been denied and they boast at having seen over ten thousand. Coupled with the endless time on their hands we see how favourites like Pulp Fiction and Batman Begins shape their understanding of the world and how it leaves a firm impression on their personalities and their principles alike. Through a series of revealing interviews their shared background is unravelled and Moselle’s questions are occasionally responded to eerily as though in character with dramatic emphasis on every word until you can’t help but conclude that a scene from a film is no doubt filtering through. We learn how The Wolfpack became imprisoned as their father put barriers in place for the boys’ own safety, and he continues to do so off-screen within the film’s lifespan, eventually restricting their view of even the streets below. His ultimate justification is to prevent them from New York City’s many evils that lurk beyond the apartment’s perimeters and thus the mystery of their sheltered livelihood begins to slowly and seamlessly make sense within this realm. Their father’s depraved and possibly paranoid rule, rooted in a need for control escalates to a colossal nightmare. The boys can count the amount of times they have stepped outside their door as children and explain how that privilege dwindled until one year they were not permitted to leave at all. Within time, their fate is sealed and the restrictions continue to mount until one boy, Mukanda, courageously ventures out into the wild, setting off a chain reaction that slowly empowers each sibling allowing those very barriers to come crashing down thus forming the basis for the film.

 

What’s touching is that despite such emotional and plainly unsanitary adversities, not to mention a drastically uncommon existence, the brothers have formed a bond that keeps them unified and attune with one another and they seem more grounded than say the very people which pass by their apartment sixteen floors below. At no time do they raise their voices or physically hurt one another and although individually each boy gives confessions of misery and taxing grief, combined they seem very much at ease. The presence of movies plays an important role unto itself, felt almost as some ghostly protagonist, an outlet that feeds them the heroic strength and wisdom to survive this ordeal and enable their path to freedom.

 

The most amazing discovery in the film for me was how accurately The Wolfpack can mimic entire scripts in perfect synchronicity to the original. Their re-enactments were played out with absolute conviction and their devotion to the craft left me equally as dumbfounded as to their dire living conditions. Performances of A Dark Knight and Reservoir Dogs are executed so affectionately and precisely that it allows you to believe you’re watching a theatre reproduction, and one that’s cleverly utilised every last inch of available apartment space. Furthermore they have fashioned the necessary props and make-up to realise each piece and embody each character. The iconic Bat-suit is impressively authentic, all one has to do is squint for the costume to become uncanny and yet what’s astonishing is that close up, it has been meticulously pieced together from cereal boxes and yoga mats – an absolute testament to the boys ingenuity.

 

Any annoyances at such a heavy predicament were not held exclusively for the boys alone. I recognised a tier of frustration for Moselle as she gets caught up in a tug of war between benefactor and filmmaker. the filmmaker grants several social awakenings for the boys, things often taken for granted, like a trip to the beach or the cinema. These ventures become bold moments of triumph, and just as easily as you loosen up and bask in their victories the film is quick to remind you of the gravity of their situation. After one successful outing the camera turns to the father for a much anticipated interview. He offers very little into his mindset but tries to alleviate the situation by agreeing that mistakes were made. We have already been familiarised with his life, his journey to America, how he met the mother and how he originally wanted to father ten children and create a new civilization all for his own of which he would assume a role as their ruler. The mother has fallen prey to this cultish agenda and the children have been raised in such an insufferable state of fear that has kept them fittingly subdued. In an attempt at initiating forgiveness he is asked if he would be willing to apologise to the boys, the question is poorly diverted and as an audience member you can’t help but own the filmmakers tongue-biting dissatisfaction. Movie aside, it is after all his house and most certainly his rules and had Moselle shoved any further or made the mistake of aggravating the pack leader you could only guess that she would have lost the rare opportunity to share this incredible story, and so the only appropriate response is none at all.

 

The Wolfpack1

 

If I’ve cast out any spoilers I dare say it’s not ruined be any means as The Wolfpack is something that quite literally must be seen to be believed, and despite the obvious assumption that we are setting foot into a sick and claustrophobic world, through the enormous talent and imagination of the brothers, their tiny enclosure manages to burst through the screen. To digress, I have to point out that I was reminded of two films whilst watching this. The first one that popped in there was the South Korean movie Oldboy which is a deranged ‘what if’ glimpse into the mental and physical repercussions of a man who has been locked away alone in a hotel room with nothing but a television and no lead as to why he’s even been put there. The ‘what if’ scenario is clearly explained here as to what can and has transpired in reality when the television set becomes the mentor. It’s a curious case study and one that strangely seems to recur in my mind, I always joke that I will never be a bored retiree as long as I have movies but then I also wonder as to the mental consequences of such a prospect when it’s actually handed to you. Like the ‘stranded-on-a-desert-island’ game: what five albums or five films would you take knowing that you would have no choice but to carry out your days watching and listening to the same thing over and over again. Gilligan managed three successful years on this hypothetical! Whereas here we are able to see the literal effects first hand and despite obvious social ailments the morals and ethics of The Wolfpack are positively intact!

 

Other than Oldboy I was also reminded of a scene from Martin Scorcese’s The King Of Comedy. Robert DeNiro’s plays Rupert Pupkin, an obsessive, unstable man who’s desperate desire to become a famous comedian finds him embarking upon perilous territory in order to pursue his dream. Scorcese beautifully captures this desire in an intimate scene where we observe Rupert while he’s playing make-believe in his bedroom. He imagines he were a guest on a talk show complete with cardboard cut-outs of Liza Minnelli and Jerry Lewis; the fantasy spell is continually broken as his mother calls from upstairs ‘who are you talking to?’ which breaks Rupert’s concentration only to leave him embarrassed and thus infuriated with her. I remember when I first saw this scene, I instantly recognised that Scorsese had tapped into something both unique and private and I found myself exclaiming ‘oh, so other people do that too? It’s not just me?’

 

So outside of a strict lesson in never taking your freedom for granted what also struck me was how their re-enactments were not so much a labour of love but a rite of passage. It was everything I loved to do as a child, mimic what I’d seen in films and spend hours on end playing characters in my mind whilst virtually pacing around the garage lost in such thoughts. Essentially it felt like watching six kindred spirits and their imagination was not only infectious but oddly reminiscent as their sense of wonder ran rampart with a true sense of purpose. The happier this made The Wolfpack the harder the melancholy hit me like a ton of bricks. One brother even points out that although their theatrical recreations might seem silly, it was something they took very seriously and once you’re acquainted with their story you can’t help but feel every bit as devoted to each cardinal performance as they are. As I watched these boys do the very thing that gave me hours of enjoyment as a child but executed under such duress it gave the act of role playing a do or die quality. I even felt a slight guilt in having the opportunity to simply play for fun and not with some unspoken notion that it would help keep a lid on my sanity. People in the cinema laughed when the boys re-created some of Tarantino’s most recognised scenes verbatim but I could not bring myself to join along, as I was sadly all too aware that I was possibly witnessing the worst case of child abuse ever committed to film.

 

By the time it all finished I felt some strange compulsion to help, bring aid or relief as though I could somehow reach out and make things better for these kids. But in truth neither help nor sympathy was required. It wasn’t as though I’d just seen The Cove and vowed never to eat sushi again, or in the case of say Dear Zachary it was not like anyone had been horrifically killed amidst a mountain of shocking twists. The Wolfpack didn’t seek assistance; in fact it was quite the contrary, we’re encouraged to cheer them on as they carve a new life for themselves right before our eyes. What’s more is they have assimilated an ambition and a willingness to confront their future head on. As a team they have already overcome huge hurdles at home, they have come to terms with and grasped their horrific circumstances and from what I understand in some cases, have since gone on to fly the coop, gain employment related to their passions and found love. So I take the utmost gratification in knowing they will be more than fine and for my part I simply have to allow this state of numbness to pass. If anything I should be thankful that The Wolfpack was able to achieve a restored faith in the potential of movies. I sometimes wrestle with my own thoughts as to whether the endless hours camped in front of the screen could be better spent elsewhere and yet this film spoke directly to the movie-lover in me with a clear message that they are important and that escapism is important too. That universally shared, all-encompassing high that only a good film can bring should be celebrated and not dismissed as fleeting or a waste of time. As The Wolfpack themselves acknowledged, films have saved their lives and what I have certainly acknowledged is that this one is cemented in the doco-vault not likely to leave any time soon. Now I strongly recommend you go see it!

 

The Wolfpack2

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Share:

Posted by: Andrew McDonald

363 thoughts on “Howling Of The Wolfpack”

  2. Thanks on your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you
    can be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark
    your blog and may come back in the future. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing,
    have a nice holiday weekend!

  6. I have been discovering for a little bit for any excellent articles or
    blogs on this type of area . Searching in Google I finally discovered this site.
    Reading through this information made me happy that I’ve
    found precisely what I needed.

  12. I’d should talk to you here. Which is not one thing I do!

    I quite like reading a post which will make men and women believe.
    Furthermore, thanks permitting me to comment!

  14. Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  16. Wow, fantastic blog layout! How lengthy have you been running a blog for?
    you made running a blog glance easy. The whole look of your website is great, as well as the content material!

  17. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that
    “perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance.
    I must say you have done a very good job with this.
    Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me
    on Opera. Exceptional Blog! how to get instagram followers instantly

  21. Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are
    just extremely great. I really like what you’ve acquired here,
    really like what you are stating and the way in which you say
    it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of
    to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you.
    This is actually a tremendous site.

  22. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided
    to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.

    I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic blog!

  23. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  26. Thanks for another great post. The place else may just anybody get that type of information in such
    an ideal means of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such info.

  27. I simply want to tell you that I am new to blogging and site-building and seriously loved this web page. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog . You really come with amazing articles and reviews. Thanks for sharing with us your blog.

  29. I’m usually to blogging and i really adore your articles.
    The article has truly speaks my interest. I am going to save your site and
    also keep checking for brand new information.

  30. I do consider all of the ideas you’ve introduced in your post.

    They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are
    very brief for starters. Could you please lengthen them a little
    from next time? Thanks for the post.

  31. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more
    of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.

  34. Hey outstanding blog! Does running a blog similar to this
    take a lot of work? I have no understanding
    of programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations
    or tips for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off topic but I just needed to ask.
    Kudos!

  36. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your
    blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.

  37. Having read this I believed it was rather informative.
    I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this information together.
    I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

  39. Hi! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog
    and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!

  46. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new
    updates.

  49. Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity
    to your publish is just excellent and that i could assume you’re an expert in this subject.
    Well together with your permission let me to snatch
    your feed to keep up to date with approaching post.
    Thank you 1,000,000 and please keep up the rewarding
    work.

  56. I’m still learning from you, but I’m improving myself. I certainly liked reading everything that is written on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it!

  57. I simply want to say I am newbie to blogs and actually enjoyed this page. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You actually come with amazing writings. Thanks for sharing with us your web page.

  58. I simply want to mention I am new to blogging and site-building and really loved this blog. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You surely come with superb articles. Many thanks for sharing with us your blog.

  59. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  61. I’ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work. “Her grandmother, as she gets older, is not fading but rather becoming more concentrated.” by Paulette Bates Alden.

  62. Awesome post. I’m a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

  68. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

  70. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

  71. I was just searching for this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.

  73. Its fantastic as your other posts : D, thankyou for putting up. “Reason is the substance of the universe. The design of the world is absolutely rational.” by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.

  74. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  75. Generally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very great article.

  76. Thanks for every other wonderful article. The place else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such info.

  77. Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Magnificent. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.

  79. Good website! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!

  80. I want to express my love for your kindness supporting those who must have help on this particular subject matter. Your personal commitment to passing the solution all over came to be rather insightful and have always allowed folks like me to attain their objectives. Your personal valuable recommendations means this much a person like me and even further to my fellow workers. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.

  81. As I web site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.

  82. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  85. Wow! This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I’m also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.

  87. My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  88. I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The web site style is ideal, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  89. Excellent weblog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your associate link on your host? I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  90. It is in reality a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  91. I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I absolutely liked reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the aarticles coming. I enjoyed it!

  92. I simply needed to appreciate you once more. I do not know the things that I might have done without these concepts provided by you regarding that industry. It was the frightful case in my view, however , discovering your expert manner you resolved it made me to weep for delight. Now i am happy for this advice and even wish you are aware of a powerful job that you are undertaking training some other people by way of your web page. Most probably you have never encountered all of us.

  101. I don’t even know how I ended up right here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you will be but unquestionably you might be going to a famous blogger if you might be not currently Cheers!

  102. Awesome post. I’m a normal visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time.

  104. I just want to mention I am all new to blogging and actually liked you’re blog. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You certainly come with excellent articles. Thanks a bunch for revealing your webpage.

  105. Have to say that this is so positive to read it long time and I do not am thinking us should judge these good minds. I need to say convinced totally big thanks to the writter and encourage to create much more similar valuable minds. It should be a big suport for starters.

  107. I will immediately clutch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  109. Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, thanks . “Nothing happens to any thing which that thing is not made by nature to bear.” by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

  111. I’ve recently started a web site, the information you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.

  112. Thanks, I have recently been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?

  113. Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is just great and i could think you are knowledgeable on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grasp your feed to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thank you one million and please keep up the rewarding work.

  114. Great write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s web web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to become a regular visitor for any long time.

  115. Howdy! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the good info you may have right here on this post. I will likely be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.

  116. Simply wanna remark on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the articles is very excellent. “To establish oneself in the world, one has to do all one can to appear established.” by Francois de La Rochefoucauld.

  117. Hi there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  118. Thanks, I have recently been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now. However, what about the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the supply?

  120. Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for beginner blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

  122. This website online is really a stroll-by way of for the entire info you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll positively uncover it.

  123. Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers

  133. Oh my goodness! a wonderful post dude. Thanks a ton Nevertheless We’re experiencing challenge with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there any individual getting identical rss problem? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

  134. Hey very nice site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  135. Just thought I should leave a short comment saying thank you for your hard work and work placing all this information and facts together. A number of us appreciate it.

  136. Hey very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I am glad to find so many helpful information here within the post, we’d like work out extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing.

Comments are closed.