December 22, 2023
FILM: ALL DIRT ROADS TASTE OF SALT
DIRECTED BY: RAVEN JACKSON
STARRING: KAYLEE NICOLE JOHNSON, CHRIS CHALK, JAYAH HENRY
RATING: 2 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
If you’ve read a lot of my reviews you’ve probably noted that I’m generally pretty positive about the films I see (rating them 3 or 4 stars.) That’s mostly because I choose to view films that are from the independent/international/documentary worlds. I don’t watch a lot of big budget Hollywood films, including most blockbusters. They’re just not my cup of tea and often a bit too predictable. As such, I’m always more interested in exploring films that aren’t typical of what a mass audience wants to see. However, even I have my limits…
Raven Jackson’s film All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is almost experimental by design. Rather than creating a classical narrative with conflicts, a climax, and a clear ending, Jackson takes viewers on a series of moments in the life of Mack, a young girl/woman who lives for decades in rural Mississippi. We see her at a few significant points such as when her mother teaches her how to carve a fish, when she attends mom’s funeral, when she has a child of her own, etc. You might think this sounds like Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, which I consider one of the great cinematic achievements of the 21st Century, but the clearly defined yearly moments in that film are not what Jackson is interested in showing us. Rather her focus is on the quietness of these key points in Mack’s life. Plot construction isn’t specifically on the menu. As a result, the film is a overly languid and meditative.
This is an exercise in experiencing moments when a person is alone with nature or a special person. There are extra-long takes throughout the film which linger on water and, in particular, hands. A title card appears at the beginning reading: Tender. Most of what we see here are tender moments between people touching and feeling. Sometimes it’s the delightful feel of sand or dirt in water. At other points, it’s people touching, offering warmth and comfort. Often they hug for long periods of time. These are important quiet moments for the characters. What we hear around them are the sounds of crickets, birds, rain, and thunder. Essentially, the whole experience is like a long meditation on staying in the present moment.
Here’s the thing: I believe very strongly in such moments in life. BUT, as a film, I have to say I was pretty bored. This is a lovely film on many levels. Jackson emphasizes colors, especially reds, blues, and greens. The latter two are warm which reflect calmness and serenity. I can really appreciate this visual design. However, perhaps my own palette wasn’t quite ready to taste all of it. Maybe the film was just too long in its illustration of nature, solitude, and the quiet changes of life and form.
Either way, it’s important to know what you’re getting into should you attempt to view the film. Maybe watch this on a Sunday morning as you contemplate that period between the end of a week and the start of another. Perhaps consider it when you need to completely chill, turn off all other electronic devices, and just be alone with yourself and a film. Otherwise, you’ll be asleep within ten minutes.
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt opens today in limited theatrical release.
FILM: ALL DIRT ROADS TASTE OF SALT
DIRECTED BY: RAVEN JACKSON
STARRING: KAYLEE NICOLE JOHNSON, CHRIS CHALK, JAYAH HENRY
RATING: 2 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
If you’ve read a lot of my reviews you’ve probably noted that I’m generally pretty positive about the films I see (rating them 3 or 4 stars.) That’s mostly because I choose to view films that are from the independent/international/documentary worlds. I don’t watch a lot of big budget Hollywood films, including most blockbusters. They’re just not my cup of tea and often a bit too predictable. As such, I’m always more interested in exploring films that aren’t typical of what a mass audience wants to see. However, even I have my limits…
Raven Jackson’s film All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is almost experimental by design. Rather than creating a classical narrative with conflicts, a climax, and a clear ending, Jackson takes viewers on a series of moments in the life of Mack, a young girl/woman who lives for decades in rural Mississippi. We see her at a few significant points such as when her mother teaches her how to carve a fish, when she attends mom’s funeral, when she has a child of her own, etc. You might think this sounds like Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, which I consider one of the great cinematic achievements of the 21st Century, but the clearly defined yearly moments in that film are not what Jackson is interested in showing us. Rather her focus is on the quietness of these key points in Mack’s life. Plot construction isn’t specifically on the menu. As a result, the film is a overly languid and meditative.
This is an exercise in experiencing moments when a person is alone with nature or a special person. There are extra-long takes throughout the film which linger on water and, in particular, hands. A title card appears at the beginning reading: Tender. Most of what we see here are tender moments between people touching and feeling. Sometimes it’s the delightful feel of sand or dirt in water. At other points, it’s people touching, offering warmth and comfort. Often they hug for long periods of time. These are important quiet moments for the characters. What we hear around them are the sounds of crickets, birds, rain, and thunder. Essentially, the whole experience is like a long meditation on staying in the present moment.
Here’s the thing: I believe very strongly in such moments in life. BUT, as a film, I have to say I was pretty bored. This is a lovely film on many levels. Jackson emphasizes colors, especially reds, blues, and greens. The latter two are warm which reflect calmness and serenity. I can really appreciate this visual design. However, perhaps my own palette wasn’t quite ready to taste all of it. Maybe the film was just too long in its illustration of nature, solitude, and the quiet changes of life and form.
Either way, it’s important to know what you’re getting into should you attempt to view the film. Maybe watch this on a Sunday morning as you contemplate that period between the end of a week and the start of another. Perhaps consider it when you need to completely chill, turn off all other electronic devices, and just be alone with yourself and a film. Otherwise, you’ll be asleep within ten minutes.
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt opens today in limited theatrical release.