Another Day Of Life

Thanks to kinetic directing and a camera freed from gravity, even the more mundane shots—like driving down the road—have a vibrant energy to them. The movie has an ever-present sense of urgency, which is represented well by the constantly roving camera. The serious subject matter is made all the more impactful by the modern-day interviews. Seeing where Kapuściński winds up, and the reflections of what he believed to be happening, add a sense of scale.

The score, composed by Mikel Salas, matches the visuals in every way. When Polish is describing the reasons, the dying always asks for one last photograph- to stamp their existence at a particular time and place- the way the strings build-up is devastating. The editing by de la Fuente is equally as good. The live-action segments are never jarring and flow in and out of the main narrative beautifully. There’s a long take of a shootout shortly before finding the MPLA that had me on the edge of the seat.

“…even the more mundane shots—like driving down the road—have a vibrant energy to them.”

Of course, the intensity would all be for naught if they cast wasn’t up to the challenge. Happily, they all deliver excellent performances. Shale nails the charm, wit, and grit it takes to persuade random people to help you get closer to the frontlines. Jude Owusu, who voices friend and ally Carlos, is excellent as well. He makes the character so boisterous and confident he is easy to root for. The whole cast is great, with no one taking a misstep even once.

Another Day Of Life achieves perfection on all levels. The story is intense, the visuals awe-inspiring, the cast great, and the score is simply sublime. The documentary revels in being a sensory experience that one will not soon forget.