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Rapulana Seiphemo in ‘Santana’.
Photo: Gravel roads distribution group
OUR RATING
3/5 stars
WHAT IS IT ABOUT:
Two brothers, one a drug dealer and the other a general, finally discover the identity of the drug dealer who murdered their parents decades ago.
WHAT WE THINK:
When it comes to the action movie genre, it’s hard to reinvent the wheel. Almost everything has been done before.
Santana’s The strength lies in its immersive, fast-paced storytelling with professional footage, providing close-ups of action scenes. It puts the viewer right there at the center of it all.
The plot revolves around two brothers, Matias (Raúl Rosario) and Dias (Paulo Americano). Thirty-five years ago, when Matías was six years old and Dias was still in his mother’s womb, his parents were murdered. A wealthy family adopted Matias, but Dias was not so lucky. It became part of the host system. With their relationship hanging by a thread, the brothers, both in law enforcement, search for Ferreira (Rapulana Seiphemo), the man who killed their parents.
While the plot is pretty generic, there are plot twists and a betrayal. I have to be honest, there is a supernatural element that I didn’t feel was necessary. It came out of nowhere and, to me, it felt like it had been added to give it some flavor.
When it comes to action scenes, there are enough shootouts, chase scenes, and fistfights to satisfy the share of action.
The central emotional arc is the relationship between the siblings, which creates a dramatic tension in the film. He is encouraging them to solve their problems and work together. I wish there was more background on why Ferreira killed his parents though, I felt like we just got in the way.
The Angolan and South African actors that make up the cast have great chemistry. With the film filmed in both countries, there is a fresh and authentic feel that helps the storytelling. The supporting cast brought in some much-needed lighter comic moments.
As protagonists, Raúl Rosario and Paulo Americano take the film well, they offer captivating performances. However, the show thief was Rapulana Seiphemo. Her deranged and somewhat deranged drug lord was the perfect villain.
If you are looking for a standard share rate, Santana fits perfectly. There is enough action and drama to keep you entertained. It is also a great showcase for South African and Angolan talent which, I hope, paves the way for more collaborations.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
WATCH IT NOW ON NETFLIX
