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What to watch this week: From a medieval adventure to the Russian Revolution
Here is a rundown of this week’s releases
If you’re looking for some eclectic weekend binges, look no further. Take a gander in medieval Sweden as you follow along in the journey of a young girl in Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, pace yourselves in a race against time as a bomb attempts to go off in The Wages of Fear, get inspired by the journey of England’s homeless football team as they compete in Rome, and sympathize with Count Rostov as he navigates living under house arrest in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
Here is a rundown of this week’s releases:
Heart of the Hunter (English)
This suspense thriller will throw you into a post-democratic South Africa. Adapted from the book of the same name, written by Deon Meyer, and helmed by Mandla Dube (of the SAFTA-winning Silverton Siege), the film follows the story of Zuko Khumalo, an average family man whose quiet life collapses when a former colleague resurfaces, demanding he fulfill a past promise and protect the nation from a corrupt politician’s rise to power.
Zuko hesitates to return to his dark past, but the threat to his family forces him to confront it.
Starring: Bonko Cosmo Khazo, Connie Ferguson, Masasa Mbangeni, Tim Theron, Deon Coetzee
Where to watch: Netflix
The Beautiful Game (English)
Mal is the determined manager of England’s homeless football team. What’s that you ask?
A global football tournament, the Homeless World Cup—established in 2001—has impacted over 1.2 million people through its network of 220 clubs across nearly 70 countries.
The team’s sights are set on Rome, where they will compete in the tournament. To bolster their chances, Mal makes a last-minute gamble, recruiting the talented but troubled striker Vinny. However, Vinny’s past threatens to derail their dreams. He must confront his demons and embrace the team spirit if he wants to achieve footballing glory in Rome.
Starring: Micheal Ward, Bill Nighy, Valeria Golino, Susan Wokoma, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Cristina Rodlo
Where to watch: Netflix
A Gentleman in Moscow (English)
Adapted from Amor Towles’ acclaimed novel of the same name, the plot of this limited series revolves around the Russian Revolution.
Count Alexander Rostov’s aristocratic lineage, once a symbol of privilege, paints him a target for the new Soviet regime. Spared execution by a Bolshevik tribunal, he faces a unique yet harsh sentence: lifelong house arrest within the grand Hotel Metropol. Confined to a single attic room, he’s warned against venturing outside, threatened with a swift death.
Undeterred by his confinement, Count Rostov refuses to surrender to despair.
Years pass and now within the hotel’s confines, the Count embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Leah Harvey, Johnny Harris, Paul Ready
Where to watch: Paramount+/JioCinema
The Wages of Fear (French)
In the heart of the desert, an oil well catches fire near a refugee camp, putting countless lives at risk. The oil company now needs to extinguish the blaze before it engulfs the camp. Their solution? A detonation using 200 kg of nitroglycerin.
With only 24 hours to go, time is of the essence as a crew is assembled and tasked with transporting the volatile explosives 800 km across a tough terrain. Their journey is fraught with danger: armed rebels control key routes, minefields lie hidden, and the unforgiving landscape threatens to derail their mission.
With less than 20 hours on the clock, this elite team must defy the odds to reach the inferno in time and overturn fate on its head.
Starring: Sofiane Zermani, Alban Lenoir, Ana Girardot, Joseph Beddelem, Franck Gastambide
Where to watch: Netflix
Ronja the Robber’s Daughter (Swedish)
This faithful reimagining of the stories by Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren promises to enchant you this weekend.
In this two-part series, Ronja, a spirited young girl from a family of medieval Scandinavian outlaws bursts into the scene, craving an adventure beyond the castle walls. The wild forest, teeming with mythical creatures both enchanting and dangerous, beckons Ronja. But her world is shaken up by the arrival of Birk, a boy from a rival robber gang, sparking an unlikely friendship and reigniting an ancient family feud.
As a determined bailiff vows to purge the forest of all robbers, Ronja must choose between loyalty and the bonds of friendship.
Starring: Kerstin Linden, Jack Bergenholtz-Henriksson, Christopher Wagelin, Krista Kosonen, Sverrir Gudnason
Where to watch: Netflix
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