Where the Road Runs Out (2014)

Where the Road Runs Out: Directed by Rudolf Buitendach. With Isaach De Bankolé, Juliet Landau, Stelio Savante, Sizo Motsoko. George, a scientist living in Rotterdam is growing wary of the world of academia. The sudden death of an old friend is the incentive he needs to return to his African roots where he takes over a dilapidated field station in the jungle of Equatorial Guinea. There he meets an orphan boy with a sunny disposition who opens George’s wary eyes to this colorful place. The boy plays matchmaker between George and the lady who runs the local orphanage and all seems rosy until an old friend of George’s shows up out of nowhere to throw their lives into disarray as George discovers there are many obstacles on the road to redemption and a few more where the road runs out.

“This was a very nice feel good movie. I especially like the interactions between optimistic Jimmy and grumpy George, and I like how the kid pulls the man out of his depression. Corina does well too as the teacher who came to the orphanage to make a better place, but along the way acquired a cynical edge. Even Martin, who has some severe flaws that land him in jerk territory for me, still has a sympathetic side to him and has reasons for how he is and what he does. The happy and hopeful ending crowns this movie as an amazing contribution to the film industry of both South Africa and the Netherlands, but especially Equatorial Guinea as this is the first ever feature film shot there.”