Reel Black: Neptune Frost
June 23, 2024
A group of escaped coltan miners forms an anti-colonialist computer hacker collective in the hilltops of Burundi. They soon attempt a takeover of the authoritarian regime that's exploiting the region's natural resources—and its people.
Directed by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, this Afrofuturistic masterpiece unfolds in a surreal blend of animation and live-action. The story follows Matalusa, a cyborg on a quest to liberate a digitized collective consciousness trapped in the oppressive system of an icy mega-corporation. As Matalusa navigates a dreamlike world, the film delves into themes of love, identity, and rebellion against technological tyranny. The visually stunning amalgamation of traditional African aesthetics and cyberpunk elements creates a mesmerizing visual language. With a pulsating soundtrack and poetic narrative, Neptune Frost transcends cinematic norms, offering a thought-provoking and immersive experience that challenges perceptions and ignites the spirit of resistance in the face of systemic control. This avant-garde journey is a triumph of storytelling that lingers in the mind long after the screen fades to black.
- Director: Saul Williams, Anisia Uzeyman
- Principal Cast: Cheryl Isheja, Bertrand "Kaya Free" Ninteretse, Eliane Umuhire, Rebecca Mucyo, Tresor Niyangabo, Elvis Ngabo, Dorcy Rugamba, Eric "1key" Ngangare, Cecile Kayirebwa
- Country: Rwanda, USA
- Year: 2021
- Running Time: 105 min.
- Producer: Ezra Miller, Stephen Hendel, Dave Guenette, Maria Judice
- Screenplay: Saul Williams
- Cinematographers: Anisia Uzeyman
- Editors: Anisha Acharya
- Filmography: Debut Feature Film
- Language: Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Swahili, French, English
- US Distributor: Kino Lorber
- International Sales: CAA