The African Desperate

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1:40

The African Desperate

Released Sep 16, 2022

1h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

This coming-of-age comedy tracks one very long day for Palace Bryant, a newly minted MFA grad whose final 24 hours in art school become a real trip.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Despite a (potentially) interesting central character and a genuinely confrontational and uncomfortable opening scene, this feature from artist and film-maker Martine Syms spins its wheels dramatically, with indulgent, undirected performances and ideas.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 17, 2022

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Kathleen Sachs

Chicago Reader

Syms’s work—which ranges from performance art to gallery installations to this more straightforward narrative endeavor—is compelled by a preternaturally propulsive energy that sustains its momentum even as she explores various forms of expression.

Oct 1, 2022

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Peyton Robinson

RogerEbert.com

A jungle juice of weed, ketamine, and self-discovery.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 23, 2022

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

In this deadpan satire Syms uses aspects of video, installation and performance art, as well as internet slang, to explore the blithe hypocrisy and structural racism of art school culture

Feb 13, 2024

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Less polished in some respects but also an admirably bold leap.

Oct 3, 2022

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Alex Saveliev

Film Threat

A tongue-in-cheek study of the contemporary art scene – nothing new, to be sure, but done exceedingly well by insiders.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 19, 2022

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Justin T

Hallucinogenic - kinetic - incredibly smart and sexy. Diamond Stingily is a marvel.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/02/23

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Martine Syms

Director

Diamond Stingily

Actor

Cammisa Buerhaus

Actor

Ruby McCollister

Actor

Brent David Freaney

Actor

Erin Leland

Actor

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Everything Everywhere All at Once and TÁR Lead Independent Spirit Awards

The African Desperate: Trailer 1

1:40

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Synopsis

This coming-of-age comedy tracks one very long day for Palace Bryant, a newly minted MFA grad whose final 24 hours in art school become a real trip.

Director: Martine Syms
Screenwriter: Martine Syms, Rocket Caleshu
Distributor: Mubi
Production Co: Ways & Means
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.8K
Runtime: 1h 37m

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