Waiting for the Barbarians

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date (Streaming): August 7, 2020

6.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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netflicJan 20, 2021

There is a Russian joke that goes similar to this:
A general returns from a military campaign and reports to his emperor:
- "Your Highness, I defeated your enemies on the Southern border". - "But I do not have enemies on the Southern border",There is a Russian joke that goes similar to this:
A general returns from a military campaign and reports to his emperor:
- "Your Highness, I defeated your enemies on the Southern border".
- "But I do not have enemies on the Southern border", remarks the emperor.
- "You do now", says the general.

This movie is a philosophical drama that takes place on the border of a fictional empire somewhere in the beginning of the last century. A small outpost of the empirelives in harmony with peaceful nomads who some in the capital consider barbarians.That quickly changes when a police colonel comes to the outpost with an inspection.By the time the movie ends one might think who are the barbarians, nomads or the army?The film is very slow yet it has lots of violence. Definitely not for children.In my opinion the movie is quite good. Your mileage might vary.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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saltdiscusAug 13, 2020

It isnt boring movie but if you like torture then you will enjoy this movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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bertobellamyAug 5, 2022

'Waiting for the Barbarians,' of course, asks the obvious question: who really are the barbarians?

Channeling the spirit of 'The Mision', 'Silence' and 'Zama,' Ciro Guerra — who was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior some time ago —'Waiting for the Barbarians,' of course, asks the obvious question: who really are the barbarians?

Channeling the spirit of 'The Mision', 'Silence' and 'Zama,' Ciro Guerra — who was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior some time ago — delivers another commentary on imperialism. This is unmistakably the inferior of his last three films, but I didn't find it as bad as many people here did. Sure there's a feeling that nothing happens in some parts, and Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson are underutilized. Still, Mark Rylance and Gana Bayarsaikhan do a fine job, inserting you into the complicated relationship between conqueror and "conquered."

In the end, Guerra's discourse — adapted from J. M. Coetzee's novel, who also wrote the screenplay — is not as impactful as, for example, 'Embrace of the Serpent;' nevertheless, the way Rylance's character is left relinquished of everything points not just to the brutality of imperialists, but to the inner conflict of a man whose ethics couldn't save him or what he thought he represented.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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AramSarMay 21, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I believe very few actually understood what the movie is about.

On the surface it's an anti-imperealist and anti-tyranny movie about humanism and its helplessness against the syste. And it's meant that way. Rylance's great performance makes the viewer sympathize his humanistic intentions.

However looking closely you start to see how delusional in fact is the Magistrate. He sees only the best in barbarians, neglecting that they are still barbarians. His relation with the girl was key to understanding that. He never realized, until Mai shared with him, that she in fact hated her time with him.

The film doesn't say that what The Empire was doing is good, but ideolizing victims only because they are victims can be misleading too. The Magistrate was looking at everything through "sunglasses". Or may be he actually needed those for the sun not to blind him.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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