The political satire 'Land of the Blind" has just been released on DVD. Set in the fictitious world of 'Everycountry" - there are traces of Nazi Germany, France (pre-revolution) and a touch of the Banana Republic all colliding.
Everycountry is ruled by a mad Napoleonic dictator, Maximilian II, fondly known as Junior. With parallels to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, Junior is also a movie director with a fascination and obsession for action adventures.
Ralph Fiennes stars as prison guard Joe, who helps leftist political prisoner, Thorne, Donald Sutherland topple the crazed little dictator. However the consequences of this are devastating for all, especially Joe as Everycountry, under Thorne’s regime then morphs into a version of Mao run China!
Land of the Blind, is writer director Robert Edwards first big screen effort and with so many political references, crass jokes and a rather incoherent storyline, the film is a mess. It is like Edwards has tried to squeeze every idea he has ever had into the one film!
The performances are inconsistent with some actors seemingly belonging to a different film. Fiennes and Sutherland are earnest in their attempt to be grounded in some sort of truth.
Whilst it is not my cup of tea, the production values are worthy. And for all those conspiracy theorists out there, the premise of the film is sure to please! 2 stars.
