Yuku free message boards

Forgot
Password?

Sign Up

Grab the Yuku app
  • RSS
  • Email
  • Filmnet Messageboard - Australian Film & TV Industry Message board.
  • > Reviews
  • > CEDAR BOYS
0 Points

Remove this ad
Add Reply New Topic
Forum Jump
  • ONLINE FILMS
  • General Chat
  • Lounge
  • Writer's Codex
  • SHOOT ME!
  • Animators Drawing Room
  • Actors Podium
  • Reviews
  • Call for Entries
  • News, Press Releases & Advertisements
  • Events
  • Trading Post
  • Script Trading
  • Service Provided
  • COURSE ADVICE
  • COURSES & EDUCATION
  • PAID JOBS AVAILABLE
  • UNPAID JOBS AVAILABLE
  • Jobs Wanted
  • Actors & Extras
  • Actors & Extras Under 18
  • Pre-Production Services
  • Production Services
  • Post Production
  • Equipment & Supplies
  • HELP & INFORMATION about this message board
  • Rants, Raves & Complaints
<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

CEDAR BOYS

Author Comment
offlinesz777

CEDAR BOYS

Lead [-]

avatar

Posts: 259

Aug 10 09 5:03 PM

Mega Star Filmnetter

  • Reply
  • Quote
  • More
    • My Recent Posts
Cedar Boys doesn't pull any punches. The chaotic, carefully scripted world of Sydney youth culture as seen from the viewpoints of the three protagonists flaunts a heavy hip-hop & techno soundtrack to match the cars, clubs and drugs that are so prevalent in the city we live in. It's confronting for the audience to step into so vividly - not simply because the potrayal is so real, so close to home - but because it's a world that the majority of Sydneysiders never acknowledge. You could almost hear the shifting seats in the cinema as the story unfolded on our very streets.

Sydney's always been a city divided by wealth. More recently we've seen these divisions multiply to encompass racial and cultural gaps as well (witness Cronulla 2005) - as what goes normally unsaid flares up - we suffer gang warfare, hate crimes and a systematic dumbing down by a generally witless media offering Black & White solutions to endemic cultural and economic problems.

Writer & Director Serhat Caradee has no qualms diving into discuss the complexity of these issues through his narrative. The Cedar Boys of the film could be any working class kids; but the fact they're second generation immigrants who speak Arabic at home and try as they might, can't fake the relaxed & comfortable confidence of the whitefolk to fit in - highlights the struggle to break out of their tax brackets. Not that they're apologetic about being of Lebanese background in the slightest. Nor should they be - some of the best moments of dialogue come from the distinct pride and irreverence shown in the face of stereotypes - especially early in the film, lending Tarek, Sam & Nabil a cheeky larrikinism that can only be described as distinctly Australian.

There are some real laugh out loud moments here in what is a heartfelt story of mateship, loyalty and the pain of wanting to be a part of something bigger. The film takes on some heavy themes and carries itself with a respectable swagger, unafraid to throw its weight around to flip an issue on its side. At the same time it also takes time to pause and reflect on who these people really are, their family life, the day-to-day stuff that may not have great bearing on the plot but still brings a powerful payoff for the journey of the film. It's an excellent technique for what could easily fall into the trap of action-action-action as the stakes get higher.

It's an ensemble piece lead by Les Chantery, Waddah Sari & Buddy Dannoun but even the minor roles and cameos are very strong. It's an engrossing film experience, with some minor flaws in the staging or storyline like the bizarre placement of Ian Roberts as a nightclub bouncer and one or two loose ends for characters left unresolved. I wanted to see more of Rachael Taylor's journey as (without giving too much away) her character Amie was left on an interesting precipice. But these issues are incidental on the whole. It draws you in and keeps you there until the end and that's a credit to the cast and crew.

I should mention for full disclosure that I have known the writer and director of Cedar Boys Serhat Caradee since his days emerging at AFTRS, so I had some big expectations for his debut feature (glad to say they were met and then some). Although I haven't seen him in about seven years I now know why. He's been working on the film. It shows.

from http://5thwall.wordpress.com

Last Edited By: sz777 Aug 10 09 6:15 PM. Edited 6 times.
Advertisement  
Remove this ad
Remove this ad
status offlinebernardlau   #1 [-]

avatar

Posts: 67

Aug 18 09 2:27 PM

  • Reply
  • Quote
  • More
    • My Recent Posts

I enjoyed Cedar Boys and I think we should all be proud at Serhat for making this film.
But it does make me wonder if the story was a bit too text book crime drama?
Maybe it was budgetary constraints, or maybe it was because Serhat spent 4 years on the film that he didn't want to cut any scenes.
As said above, Rachael Taylor's arc sort of just went no where in the end. She was great as a motif for Tarek, but once you got the girl, then what happens?

I'm very keen to see what is next in line for Caradee and hopefully, it doesn't take another 4 years.

If you want my take on Cedar Boys, you can visit my review here.


Bernard Lau Films
Canon 7D + 60D . Canon 16-35mm II . Canon 50mm . Canon 70-200mm II
And many other goodies.
Wedding Videos by Bernard Lau
<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>
Add Reply
Forum Jump
  • ONLINE FILMS
  • General Chat
  • Lounge
  • Writer's Codex
  • SHOOT ME!
  • Animators Drawing Room
  • Actors Podium
  • Reviews
  • Call for Entries
  • News, Press Releases & Advertisements
  • Events
  • Trading Post
  • Script Trading
  • Service Provided
  • COURSE ADVICE
  • COURSES & EDUCATION
  • PAID JOBS AVAILABLE
  • UNPAID JOBS AVAILABLE
  • Jobs Wanted
  • Actors & Extras
  • Actors & Extras Under 18
  • Pre-Production Services
  • Production Services
  • Post Production
  • Equipment & Supplies
  • HELP & INFORMATION about this message board
  • Rants, Raves & Complaints
Share This
  • Email to Friend
  • del.icio.us
  • Digg it
  • Facebook
  • Blogger
  • Yahoo MyWeb
  • Filmnet Messageboard - Australian Film & TV Industry Message board.
  • > Reviews
  • > CEDAR BOYS
  • Click to subscribe by RSS
  • Click to receive E-mail notifications of replies
Remove this ad
  • Yuku forums
  • Forum Find
  • Forum Help
  • Legal

© 2016 Yuku. All rights reserved.