[Zamastan]

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[/hr]Zamastan | World - IDU | Politics | Economy | Opinion

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The Tofino Times
Click Here to Visit The Tofino Times Website
Friday, December 20th, 2019

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[/hr]VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Hapson

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[color=#FF0000]BREAKING NEWS
"Hapson" Breaks Grossing Record for December Zamastanian Release

Above: Dar'o Navicia as President Tomias Hapson in "Hapson" (2019). Directed by Travis Brondi

The historical biographical picture, "Hapson", directed by Travis Brondi, is being praised not only by critics, who have given it an average of 99% on the CaterRate Movie review site, but by general movie going audiences as well. Hapson opened on December 13th with a Z$143 Million opening weekend, the highest grossing of any December release in Zamastan. In the week it has been in theaters, it has grossed Z$534 Million, owed in part to the reputation it has received not only for its terrific acting performances, stunning cinematography, and excellent soundtrack, but for the fact that the story of Zamastan's first President and revolutionary founding father, Tomias Hapson, is told for the first time on the big screen.

Director Travis Brondi takes on the story of Tomias Hapson in this historical epic. With Dar'o Navicia in the role of the titular character, the film follows Hapson from his early childhood on a plantation in colonial Zamastan, his young adult years as a slave, his eventual escape with Avi Taures (who would also become President later in life) to join the uprising of forced laborers and oppressed colonists against the Skithan Empire. The film also follows his pursuits as President, seeing how his role created the traditions of future generations. Brondi is known for his storytelling and directing styles. He has won two Pine Awards for Best Picture; "Stigmata" (2018) and "The Informant" (2019), both of which were accompanied by several additional Pine Awards, with "Stigmata" winning a total of three and "The Informant" winning four. Dar'o Navicia is already grabbing attention for a possible Best Actor nomination for his role. He has previously been nominated for his work in a Chant Anderson directed film, "Lio" (2017)

Tomias Hapson was born into slavery on March 12, 1772, on a plantation in Maple Canal, Zamastan. In 1802, he met Avi Taures, who convinced him to join the fight for independence. For the next two years, the duo led a guerrilla rebel war against the imperial occupiers until they eventually were driven away. Hapson became the first President of Zamastan, and served for a staggering 40 years - the most of any President in history. As president, he set many examples and forward precedents on modern day politicians. His presidency was also known for his military conquests, foundations of infrastructure, and his setting of diplomatic relations. He was assassinated in 1844, exactly 40 years into his Presidency by Reginald Isser, a man who was certain Zamastan was headed towards a dictatorship. Hapson's legacy had never been made into a major studio motion-picture before "Hapson" released last week.

One of the staples of the film that is being praised is Hapson's personal life. Historical records have showed that Hapson did marry twice and father children, but Hapson's own personal writings have indicated moments of same-sex attraction. Film critics and activists have applauded the film's nod towards this, as a scene depicts Hapson having an intimate conversation with one of his aides as General of the Rebellion. More conservative critics have criticized the film for this inclusion, though Brondi defended the choice in an interview, saying "I thought that in order to tell the tale of Hapson, we had to address certain areas of his life that don't often get covered. The scene in question only lasts around 2 minutes, and it isn't immensely vital to the plot, so the criticism is basically a waste of time. I think Hapson's sexual identity isn't important in the overall scheme of things, and if it is, it should be a reminder that the father of our country was different from me - a straight, white man. If anything, it should be a lesson of the inclusive nature of Zamastan, something that has always been in our blood as a nation."

The film is also receiving praise for its massive battle scene that takes place in the second act of the movie. The film depicts multiple small skirmishes during the War of Independence, but it expands into the culmination of two fights: The Battle of Bonmuth and the The Battle of White Rock, which was the last major battle of the war.

Among acting performances, Dar'o Navicia's Tomias Hapson is joined by Lee Proverbs as Thomas Pétion, Jesse Simotand as Avi Taures, Priscilla Lindra as Ramona Sky-Hapson (Hapson's first wife), and Elliot Blackburn as Henry Tiller.

See "Hapson" in theaters everywhere.

See full article here: https://zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes