Bureaucracy and censorship - Talking to the Trees
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382326)
Rockingham, Australia
January 28, 2021 5:14pm CST
One of the movies we saw yesterday was called ‘Talking to the Trees’ about four elderly Sudanese film-makers who want to reopen an open-air cinema in Omdurman, Sudan. They run up against Islamist censorship and inefficient bureaucracy and, in the end, their efforts come to nought.
It is a very gentle and slow-moving film, so slow-moving that Vince had a little nap through part of it. The title of the film comes from a 1940 poem by Bertolt Brecht. Lamenting the suppression of discussion under dictatorship, he says that the people have been reduced to such mundane topics as ‘talking about trees’.
After filling in numerous forms in an effort to gain permission to show the film, and presenting these to one authority, they are told the forms have to be sent in, not presented in person. This is after having been sent back and forth between several departments. Does any of it sound familiar – being sent hither and thither trying to get something done?
Photo is of street art in Bunbury, Western Australia
21 people like this
21 responses
@Deepizzaguy (122247)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jan 21
I have heard some stories of movies like "Wonder Woman 1984" having to reshoot some scenes to make the audience in some nations that have restrictions about the characters.
5 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jan 21
@Deepizzaguy And some things that most of us wouldn't even think about, are not acceptable to Muslims.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122247)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Jan 21
@JudyEv I do remember when Disney Studios tried to release the live version of "Beauty And The Beast" in one Muslim nation, the Disney executives had to work out a deal to allow the movie not to be censored since there was a controversial scene with two male characters.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (98072)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Jan 21
Being sent here and there and finally who knows where was the way things worked at institutions in Latvia. You went to get some form or something registered and you kept leaving and coming back and it might be on the third try that finally everything worked out the way it should have, I saw so many institutions that I was glad my husband was by my side and had grown up in Riga because I would have given up long ago and got nothing done
5 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jan 21
@Tampa_girl7 We paid good money to see that film too!! 
@sharonelton (30756)
• Lichfield, England
28 Jan 21
Did you like the film, or did you find it boring or monotonous like Vince who fell asleep?
3 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Jan 21
@JudyEv seems we can't escape it.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
29 Jan 21
added it to my list - sounds like a great movie! the mural - that is amazing!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
29 Jan 21
@JudyEv i could speculate but would need more context.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
29 Jan 21
That is the order of the day. Every country I am sure experiences this.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
30 Jan 21
I haven't watched this film.Although it seems to be a snooze-fest,It has a serious theme behind it.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
30 Jan 21
I can relate to that film entirely I could compare it to here at the moment Judy.
It sounds a good film though.
I love that mural of the woman..amazing thanks.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
31 Jan 21
@JudyEv Right you know it is really sad sometimes
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Jan 21
I think bureaucracy and inefficiency are alive and well in most countries' governments. I worked for the government for more than 20 years, and the bureaucratic policies and procedures I saw and experienced appalled me. I questioned everything as to why we couldn't streamline processes and make things more efficient for our citizens, but it was like beating my head against the wall. I was considered a rebel because I constantly violated policy in order to help people navigate all the rules and regulations.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382326)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jan 21
So much more could get done if some of the red tape was got rid of. Good for you for being a rebel. 
@LindaOHio (222623)
• United States
29 Jan 21
Thank you for the interesting movie review. Yes, sometimes you must go around in circles to reach the correct party to get something done. Amazing street art.
2 people like this
