Eco-terrorism, although quite obviously a huge political issue, has not really been placed at centre stage in Hollywood, perhaps in part due to the fear of alienating massive global companies who may be inadvertently involved in certain sponsorship of projects. Coca-Cola certainly springs to mind in terms of companies Hollywood may not be eager to go after.
However, the East also touches on something that Hollywood have really attempted to avoid, the issue of terrorism, and in this case, slightly justifying it. This would mean that any project that used the touchy subject of terrorism would have to be very smart about its approach.
The most worrying aspect of putting a film like this in the public realm is reaction to it, yes most people will recognize this is a fictional group’s story told in a fictional manner, but the ideas are very rooted in reality. What a film like the East will never want is a strange reaction which could taint the film’s reception, much like the Dark Knight Rises shoot-out in the States.
The East luckily manages to tow the line of being an eco-terrorism film, but with a message, question and think about the world around you.
The film revolves around Brit Marling’s character Jane, an employee in an intelligence organisation who’s main mission is to seek out eco-terrorist organisations and take them out before they begin to affect any of the company’s high flying clients. Jane is sent undercover to stop a terrorist organisation named “The East” who have been planning several operations against massive corporate companies.
However, the inevitable occurs. While away from family and friends, Jane begins to get very close to the people with whom she is working particularly Alexander Skarsgard’s Benji, the leader of the group. Her attitude towards the group begins to compromise her position and when the jam goes wrong, she begins to question her belief system.
Brit Marling is certainly an actress to watch, unbelievable smart, she was the co-writer for Another Earth, a fantastic film that is certainly worth checking out. Alexander Skarsgard, despite the few naked scenes, shows there is far more to him than just a good-looking vampire. Page on the other hand, is extremely difficult to warm to,even when we are shown her emotional depths and troubles.
The real achievement of the East is its ability to make you think. The intro in itself with the ominous message from Page is frightening, the true extent of the damage to the envoirnment is worrying.
It is very clear where the loyalties of the film lie, but it is very refreshing to get the other side, without displaying the group as complete hippies.
