Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Brooke Bartels 03.06.24 / 2pm

   Rebecca Coley’s amazing film, The Point of Change, elegantly conveys the suffering inherent in surfing’s allure and the surrounding community. This intriguing review of Points of Change draws attention to the problem of profit over preservation. Nia’s tribulations in surf culture are expertly discussed in the review. This review’s investigation into the art of documenting important events through film has been noteworthy.
2. Casey Seager 03.07.24 / 12pm

   One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to seamlessly weave together historical accounts with modern-day narratives, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of Nias’ cultural evolution. The incorporation of Super 8 footage and animations adds depth and visual interest, enhancing the storytelling experience.The documentary effectively explores the consequences of unchecked tourism on Nias, highlighting the delicate balance between economic development and cultural preservation. As Nias becomes increasingly overrun by tourists, the film poignantly illustrates the erosion of indigenous traditions and the loss of connection to the island’s heritage.
3. Logan Mikalis 03.11.24 / 2pm

   “Point of Change” explores how surfing, tourism, and the local culture all come together on Nias Island, directed by Rebecca Coley. The film does a great job of mixing the past and present state of Nias island, showing how Nias went from this unknown place to a big tourist destination. Coley uses old footage, animations, and storytelling to show how much Nias has changed. It’s a warning about how too much tourism can hurt a place’s culture and environment. The film also shows how the people of Nias are fighting to keep their culture alive, even with all the changes happening. It’s a big reminder that we need to take care of the Earth’s special places and cultures.
4. NIA WALKER 03.11.24 / 3pm

   The movie deftly tracks the Nias’ cultural development, skillfully fusing historical accounts with modern tales to give viewers a thorough insight. The story is given more visual appeal and nuance by the inclusion of Super 8 video and animations. The documentary explores the effects of unrestrained tourism on Nias, highlighting the careful balance that must be struck between economic development and cultural preservation. It portrays a moving image of how, as Nias gives way to a growing number of tourists, local customs are being lost and people’s sense of connection to the island’s past is dwindling. A perceptive examination of the difficulties encountered by the Nias in facing the challenges of changes in culture and tourism pressures is provided by the combination of deft storytelling and arresting images.
5. NIA WALKER 03.11.24 / 3pm

   The movie effectively tracks the Nias’ cultural development, skillfully fusing historical accounts with modern tales to give viewers a thorough insight. The story is given more visual appeal and depth by the inclusion of Super 8 video and animations. The documentary explores the effects of unrestrained tourism on Nias, highlighting the careful balance that must be struck between economic development and cultural preservation. It portrays a moving image of how, as Nias gives way to a growing number of tourists, local customs are being lost and people’s sense of connection to the island’s past is decreasing. A perceptive examination of the difficulties encountered by the Nias in facing the challenges of changes in culture and tourism pressures is provided by the combination of deft storytelling and arresting images.
6. Alfredo Zamarripa 03.12.24 / 8am

   Point of change offers a compelling insight into the documentary’s exploration of Nias Island’s surf culture. Similar to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria when we speak of small towns, issues and tourism. It’s evident that the film balances historical context with modern-day implications, providing a nuanced understanding of the island’s transformation. The use of Super 8 footage and animations adds added value to the viewer for their experience. The film goes over issues between cultural preservation and commercial interests. The film’s attention on community resilience and outspokenness serves as a good reminder on how to keep the small cultural and natural beauty as important and crucial pieces to the way of life. Overall, “Point of Change” offers great insight on how complex tourism and cultural cities can appear. When I think about your line of resilience I often wonder sometimes if Carpinteria does anything to hold the line as a resilient community. Overall amazing review capturing very key points.
7. Bradley Ballard 03.12.24 / 1pm

   Wow, “Point of Change” sounds like a really interesting documentary that explores the complex web of surf culture surrounding Nias Island. Under Rebecca Coley’s guidance, the island has apparently made a smooth transition from being discovered by surf pioneers Kevin Lovett and John Giesel to being a popular tourist destination. A heartbreaking image of the delicate balance between progress and preservation is painted by the contrast of the island’s inherent essence with its contemporary concerns. The use of Super 8 video and animations sounds like a smart technique to keep the narrative interesting, even though the slower tempo may have been a barrier. If you’re interested in the relationship between adventure, culture, and the environment, you should definitely see this documentary.
8. Michael Watts 03.12.24 / 5pm

   First of all, I loved this film!! It really effectively tracks the Nias’ cultural development! It delves into the intricate interplay between tourism and cultural preservation on the Indonesian island of Nias. As the island becomes increasingly popular among tourists, the documentary captures the delicate equilibrium between economic progress and the preservation of indigenous traditions. Through poignant storytelling and striking visuals, the film paints a vivid picture of how the influx of visitors threatens to erode local customs and diminishes the islanders’ connection to their heritage. One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to humanize the narrative, presenting the struggles of the Nias people with empathy and authenticity. Through intimate interviews and compelling personal stories, viewers are given a glimpse into the profound challenges faced by individuals striving to preserve their cultural heritage in the face of rapid change. Through its examination of Nias’s struggle to reconcile economic development with cultural integrity, the film prompts viewers to reflect on the broader implications of tourism on cultural heritage worldwide!
9. Nia Walker 03.12.24 / 7pm

   A strong point of the movie is how well it blends historical details with contemporary stories to give audiences a whole picture of the Nias people’s cultural development. Super 8 film and animations are incorporated to improve the storytelling experience by adding depth and visual intrigue.The video skillfully illustrates the precarious balance between economic growth and maintaining culture by examining the effects of unrestrained tourism in Nias. The film vividly demonstrates how indigenous customs are being lost and people are losing their connection to the island’s past as Nias becomes more and more overwhelmed by tourists.
10. Davis Apor 03.13.24 / 11am

    Point of Change directed by Rebecca Coley tells an important story about how small towns can be effected by tourism. Nias is a small island in Indonesia that has turned into a well known surf town. Rebecca highlights the change of the island over time as more and more tourist have been coming. Despite the economic benefits of tourism, many of the people coming to the island have destroyed the culture and beautiful nature. Point of Change is a reminder to be thoughtful and respectful to the places you choose to travel.
11. Kate Densmore 03.14.24 / 1pm

    This film sounds really interesting. We learn a lot about historical instances of tourism and settlers taking over, and this more modern day story is important to recognize. I didn’t know about these larger effects of tourism and its effect on the native people so this is definitely spreading some well needed awareness to the issue. As the review states, “profit over perservation” is important to recognize and by watching this film and reviewing it people can help reverse it. The film addresses the values of community and bringing people together in the face of these cultural changes being forced on Nias. The use of various methods of story telling through interviews, several narratives, close up angles and comparisons between the past and present make the film all the more complex and intriguing to watch.
12. Apple Walton 03.15.24 / 3pm

    I loved the way you depicted this movie. Although I have yet to see it, I feel as if I have gotten a pretty good feel for the emotions circling through. The way you not only described the movie, but the larger history and focus on the background of the movie is what stood out out to me. Yes, I did feel like I got a good glimpse into the film from your review, but I also feel like I got a decent sense of background from their setting as well.
13. Mason Masciangelo 03.15.24 / 3pm

    Great film review, Logan! “Point of Change” offers a compelling exploration of not just Nias Island’s surf culture, but also the broader issues of cultural preservation and the impact of tourism. Coley’s attention to historical detail and the juxtaposition of past and present dynamics within the narrative highlight the complexities of modernization and its effects on indigenous communities. This is a great example of the evolution of film themes and styles, particularly how filmmakers reflect and critique societal changes over time. It’s fascinating to see how documentaries like this contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding cultural heritage in the context of globalization. I was born and raised on the island of Oahu which was heavily impacted by tourism and cultural changes so it was interesting to see how it changed Nias island.
14. Sebastian Aguilera 03.17.24 / 1am

    Good job in emphasizing both its cinematic beauty and its depth of theme. You did a great job explaining how our global culture is interwoven, bridging emotional and physical boundaries. It seems like the locations add dimension and authenticity to the story by acting as more than simply a backdrop and instead becomes a character in and of itself. I’d have to watch it myself however it sounds like amazing cinematography, which seems like it masterfully captures the essence of each setting. This makes me think of Santa Barbara with the surfing and preserving its beauty and many different cultures we may find here.
15. Jaycie Dennon 03.17.24 / 10pm

    This is an amazing film i like how it highlights the two sides of history for surf spots like Nias, the cultural history, and the capitalist takeover. I feel it is so important to implement the cultural history into films to offer a realm that all viewers can connect to. From reading the text it sounds like the movie offers a good cinematic view and dimension in locations that may have some connection to the characters. The description of the movie makes me want to watch it myself and do my own analysis on it. Excellent job at giving such detailed insight. Laslty, the film reminded me to be reflective and humble to the amazing places we are able to travel.
16. Alejandro Vargas 03.18.24 / 1am

    This film review was very insightful, I liked the emphasis on the natural beauty and preservation of culture. It’s through these themes that we can also get a detailed look into how our global cultures interact and ultimately the benefits and consequences. One such idea that I felt was very well done in the review was how you went over the consequences of tourism. Although I haven’t seen this movie yet, I can say from the descriptions of cinematography and framing that this movie uses its visuals and style to create an interconnected story bridging the gap between this movie’s central themes and its more explicit plot.
17. zane Torpey 03.23.24 / 6pm

    As someone who is not familiar with surfer culture the film seems to help those understand a balance between the familiar and the unfamiliar of this category. I haven’t viewed the film yet but the choice the writers made to introduce capitalism into the film is a bold decision. I believe that the films use of coca cola’s advertising was an implicit use of showing the power that capitalism has on a society and it really emphasizes the films point of who they establish as the opposing force. This was a very interesting article I will go check out the film thank you for giving such a rich background to this film.
18. Ashley Allen 03.23.24 / 9pm

    Seeing just how much has changed in a single island over the course of history is honestly quite fascinating. Going through and researching each point of importance through the Nias island history, emphasising how things have changed, why they did, and what became of the past as it weaved into modern day and to the future. The film did a spectacular job of capturing the story of Nias island, as well as the reviewer, going into cultural aspects of the location. Seeing just how the Mise-en-scene of the island, the way that the locations and shots emphasised specific upbeat and positive scenes, while knowing how to focus on the real dark and gritty truth of tourism. Each part of the film made sense, even if dragged out for a bit too long, as the review had stated, it was not enough to turn away a majority of the audience.
19. Kevin Ward 03.29.24 / 5am

    I completely agree with the film review of Point of Change. The documentary does a fantastic job of delving into the history and culture of Nias Island, showing both its beauty and the negative impact of tourism on the island. The way the film weaves together the past and present is captivating and really drives home the message of the need for preservation. The slower pacing allows for a more in-depth look at the surf culture and village life on Nias, making it feel more authentic and immersive. The contrast between the cultural history and capitalist takeover is starkly portrayed, serving as a cautionary tale for other tourist destinations. Overall, Point of Change is not just a documentary, but a powerful call to action to protect our planet’s natural and cultural treasures.
20. Jocelyn Zanke 04.08.24 / 1pm

    The film review of Point of Change was very well written and it shows that there was a lot of care put into the review! I personally liked how the review was unbiased and not 100% praising the film. I liked how the writer mentioned that some parts could have been cut out and that they dragged out the film as well as talking about the movies slower pace. The film uses lots of happy songs, positive scenes whilst talking about the hardships of tourism and how bad it is for the island. The movie is very well in depth with the story providing lots of symbolic targets to show how capitalism and tourism has ruined this island such as for the Coca Cola ad. Overall this movie used many factors of bright lighting, music, beautiful scenery and other mise en scene factors to help convey it’s message!
21. Kevin Tamayo 04.13.24 / 10pm

    Nias, which has been a beautiful surf spots for decades, has always been treated as a tourist destination for most surfers. Point of Change highlights the change that western tourism has brought to Nias. The highlighted contrast between the locals island life and that of tourism really brings to light the differences of how the location is treated.it was really powerful to use happy songs to emphasize that many people forget about the island before it was overrun by tourism and capitalism. Point of Change has a really great scene where it shows the impact of a small phrasing of the island being a “party town”in a Coca-Cola commercial
22. Liam Kinney 04.16.24 / 5pm

    I want to start out this comment by applauding how eloquent and well written this film review is. It is incredibly important for film reviews to be non-biased, and review the film from a neutral point of view. I like how this film highlights both the benefits and the pitfalls of living in a beautiful place like Nias. The film uses an upbeat soundtrack to match the beautiful surroundings that happen to attract many tourists. In the end, the beautiful mise-en-scene of Nias contrast the dark realities of the effects tourism has on those who call Nias home.

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