The World of Movies: Ashakara
Written by Rachael Crawley
The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week, we watch a story of life, death and justice from Togo.
Ashakara.
May contain spoilers.
A deadly virus, with no known cure, is wreaking havoc in Togo. A woman named Dodi (Gebegnedji Yawavi) finds a locally sourced cure, which she passes to her brother, Dr. Kara (James Campbell). The cure comes with certain restrictions, which compel them to keep it under careful distribution. That is, until a multinational pharmaceutical company finds out.
Ashakara (Gérard Louvin, 1991) takes an all-too-common situation and examines it through an adventure tale. Packed with action, drama, and even some humour, it is a highly entertaining look at a serious situation. It carries its story off with a great deal of style, including a fun score and some great stunt work, and even brings out some futuristic aspects. The intrigue effectively draws the viewer in, and it builds up to a great payoff.
The pharmaceutical company sends a representative, Jerome (Jean-Marc Pasquet), who attempts to bargain for the cure. Dr. Kara and his colleagues refuse. Unfortunately, someone gives away the remedy’s secrets. A mysterious fire breaks out at Dr. Kara’s residence. Loyalties are questioned, and revealed, and it turns out that some of them are anything but straightforward. The entire cast is drawn into a high-stakes adventure, with plenty of curveballs ahead.
Ashakara.
While there is a lot about Ashakara that entertains, I don’t want to give the impression that it’s frivolous, either. Underneath its quick pace and high-energy style, there is a solemn mood about the real issues this film tackles. It never drags on the story, but it does add gravitas to the mystery at the centre. The movie also has a large web of interpersonal drama, too complex to fully unpack in this review, which – in the tradition of the best action movies – feeds into and builds up the main story. The result is some compelling characterization, with the help of a very capable cast. Perhaps the film’s only drawback is that it meanders a little in the second half. A slightly tighter story in this section would make it that much stronger. Still, it all ends up in a perfectly staged car chase!
Ashakara’s critique of colonial and corporate control is plainly heard in the midst of its story. To effectively blend a message with an appealing movie, particularly a genre movie, is no small feat. Its interesting characters and strong technical qualities elevate it above the usual action film. This highly enjoyable movie is perfect for those seeking fun, and food for thought, on their movie night. It is the kind of story that will keep the viewer on the edge of their seat.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.