ABC Africa

Documentary from the renowned Iranian filmaker Abbas Kiarostami about a trip he made to Uganda.
This is a decent documentary, that is a pleasant and interesting watch. There really isn't all that much to say about it, it doesn't have a great narrative to latch on to or a particularly special visual technique. It is though interesting, curious, and nicely put together.
There are a few points of interest. It is clear Kiarostami is a genuine filmaker as he cuts well between the clouds and the action. His side on views of his drivers attract a great sense of imbuing personality.
The roving cameras, capturing the children muggung into it, following and playing, are probably the best scenes. These are fun, happy, and make one feel a real connection. Kiarostami is not trying to say anything particularly new here; the people look nice, the kids are cute, the dresses are colourful, and the deaths are awful. We get a few shots, such as the child's wrapped up body on the bicycle, that are distinctive, but there isn't a general thesis (apart from a few knocks on the Catholic Church, which is pretty standard in these sorts of pieces).
Perhaps, filmically, the most interesting aspects were those when we have a film of the one of the filmmakers filming. We then see how what is being done could be construed as a little cold, nearly almost exploitative, certainly strange. That is something to think on.
Largely though this is just a decent documentary, with a few points of interest.