Fire of the Sun

Author(s): Ryne

Location: Portland

"Fire of the Sun"

Directed by Paul Haggis
Written by Eric Roth and Paul Haggis

Main Cast

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Solomon Tessema
David Anders as Lt. Mark Carwin
Senait Ashenafi as Hiwot Tessema
Rachel Weisz as Emily Carwin
Leo Gullotta as General Vito Costa
Sophie Okonedo as Kirsay Solgos
James Caviezel as Pvt. Aldo Mancini
Ralph Finnes as General Edward Ashmore

Tagline: "Under the fire of the sun, temptation brought a nation together"

Synopsis: As fascist Italy begins to expand the Axis Empire into the East African country of Ethiopia, the British government, who controls the surrounding nations, considers troop withdrawal. The government instead wants to focus efforts on the Western Front in Europe. Solomon Tessema (Akinnuoye-Agbaje) heads a group of Ethiopian resistance fighters known as Ethiopian Republic Coalition, or ERC, who are keen on stopping potential Axis influence. This group, however, relies heavily on British support to defend their nation. General Edward Ashmore (Finnes) feels that his army should not abandon their duty to the people of Ethiopia. He suggests to the government that they allow any soldier who wishes, to stay and fight along side the ERC. The British government agrees, but only a few actually stay. Lt. Mark Carwin (Anders) is one of the men who chose to stay. This came to a shock to his wife, Emily (Weisz), who works as a nurse for the British army. She has repeated voiced her displeasure with living in Ethiopia and her desire to return home. Mark understands his wife’s discomfort with the situation, but external forces are keeping him from leaving. The remaining British forces begin to assimilate with the ERC to fight fascist Italy. During the assimilation, Mark introduces Emily to Solomon and his pregnant wife, Hiwot (Ashenafi). Emily and Hiwot quickly become friends. Emily learns that Hiwot’s best friend, Kirsay (Okonedo), went missing several days earlier, but in Ethiopia, there is not much that can be done. The integration of forces seem to be going well, but with the Italian army mobilizing, they will soon be tested.

General Vito Costa (Gullotta) has been planning the invasion of Ethiopia for months now. The victory that looms directly in the future ensures Axis control of Africa within the coming months. Ethiopia has no chance. The British have withdrawn troops and the ERC cannot resist for long. Nothing stands in the way of victory. If somehow things do not going according to plans, a prisoner apprehended by Pvt. Aldo Mancini (Caviezel) may provide some sort of assistance. This prisoner, going by the name Kirsay, frequently says that she personally knows Solomon Tessema and the ERC will never give up. If she does indeed know Solomon, she could become very handy in the coming weeks.

The Italian army officially began its invasion of Ethiopia on January 20, 1941. The stories of the ERC resistance are intertwined with the birth of the Tessema’s baby that reveals the reason Mark stayed in Ethiopia, the events surrounding Kirsay’s capture, and General Costa’s struggle realizing that Ethiopia will fight to the bitter end.

What the Press would say:

Paul Haggis gets back to perfect form with the second part of his World War 2 trilogy. He does what he does best in directing this superbly put together ensemble. He bravely uses Amarigna, the native language of Ethiopia, and Italian to build tension that otherwise would not be there. Eric Roth, with help from director Paul Haggis, writes a screenplay that is once again brilliant. The script is one of the main reasons every actor shines in their role. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje gives a performance like I have never seen before as the charismatic Solomon. The audience can really feel the intensity in his eyes when he rallies the ERC and the heartbreak in his heart when he learns that Hiwot’s child isn’t his. It is by far one of the best performances of the year. In the supporting roles, the unknown Senait Ashenafi and David Anders, who the studio decided to push as supporting, give excellent performances in their respected roles. Ashenafi proves as the movies goes on, there is more behind Hiwot than just a pretty face. She captivates you from her very first scene and dominates the screen every time she appears. David Anders gives an exceptional tour de force as the troubled Mark. To often does a villain overshadow the “good guy” in this category now a day. Mark’s love for his wife is undeniable and the audience can tell with the torture he goes through knowing the effects of his affair. Anders portrays this troubled nature of Mark to perfection. I predict he gathers several precursor victories subsequently landing his first Oscar nomination. In a year that has brought us such masterpieces as “Jackrabbit”, “Lucky Clover”, “A New Agenda”, and “Cinematheque”, “Fire of the Sun” has become the film to beat come awards season.

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Director (Paul Haggis)
Best Actor (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje)
Best Supporting Actor (David Anders)
Best Supporting Actress (Senait Ashenafi)
Best Original Screenplay