"A brutal, harsh dose of reality – utterly compelling, completely unmissable"
Central heating, clean water, comfy beds – there is so much that we have in our lives that we take for granted. We sit hear and grumble that we don’t have enough money, that our jobs are mundane but in reality, we are utterly blessed, and sometimes it takes a film like Johnny Mad Dog to make us realise this.
Set in contemporary Africa, the film follows its namesake, Johnny Mad Dog, and his band of child soldiers, dubbed the ‘Small Boy Unit’. Commanded by General Never Die, the group of kids murder, rape and pillage as they act to ‘liberate’ their country. Very little is actually explained about the background to the story, but it matters not a jot. Johnny Mad Dog delivers such impact because, for all intents and purposes, it is not fiction. This situation is happening across the globe right now – a fact that is terrifying and heart breaking in equal measure.
When I read in the production notes that the children in the film were not professional actors, but rather former child soldiers hand picked from the streets, the reason behind the horrifying reality conveyed in the film became apparent. For all hoodies who think they’re ‘hard’ and have a tough life, Johnny Mad Dog should be compulsory viewing – however hard we think we might have it in this country, it simply doesn’t hold a candle.
Johnny Mad Dog is definitely not for the faint hearted. This film is brutal and utterly uncompromising. With instances of children raping and murdering rife throughout the film, I can guarantee that you will never have seen anything like it in your life. Don’t let that stop you – this film should be seen. It’s an eye-opener, and if nothing else, reminds us of how lucky we are.
Johnny Mad Dog is released in the UK on 23rd October