Director: Spencer Peter Wangare

Cast: Jamuga Stone, Joylene Tanfa, Jeremiah Hauka, Balem Asekim, David Kaumara

Rating: M | Genre: Crime, Thriller, Urban Fantasy | Run Time: 100mins

Cinema/Streaming Platform: Paradise Cinema, Coca-Cola Premiere Lounge

CRINGY SCRIPT AND DIALOGUE DELIVERY WITH OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING VILLIANS

“In the world of Black Python, everyone seems to have a story to tell—but the film struggles to decide whose story matters most.”

Streetwise drug dealer, Badu (Balem Asekim) recruits young John after the boy was left homeless. John soon finds himself caught in a complicated world of drug trafficking, corruption and betrayal.

The film does not seem to know who its main character is: John, Detective Nina, Badu, or Master? We are introduced to John at the beginning, and this immediately leads audiences to assume that the story will revolve around him. However, as the film progresses, that assumption becomes less certain. Badu appears to play a more central role in the drug-dealing operation, making his actions increasingly significant to the development of the story. At the same time, Detective Nina is introduced as the investigator following the drug-trafficking case, positioning her as another possible central character whose perspective could have driven the narrative. Master, on the other hand, is presented as a black python master, adding another mysterious and supernatural dimension to the story. Because each of these characters is given considerable attention and appears to have their own role in the larger conflict, the film creates uncertainty about whose story we are actually following.

Scripting and delivery were painfully average and contained too much English which ruins believability in a Papua New Guinean film. Actors’ lack of fluency in English dialogue was awful to listen to and sounded as though it was read directly off a paper. Only the Tok Pisin dialogue from the background actors sounded natural. Overall, the script and delivery were one of the weakest elements in the film.

On the other hand, the way profanity was handled in Black Python, was balanced and enhanced the intensity. Unlike most mature films that just drop random F-Bombs in dialogue, Black Python’s usage of bad language made sense in the scenes where it was utilized.

Another particular feature of strength was the film’s supporting villains. Although they weren’t the main villains’, characters X and Big Boss’s female assistant stole the show from the main villain. Their acting was distinctive and had more personality compared to ‘Big Boss’ who seemed more like a caricature.

Black Python is an ambitious attempt to push Papua New Guinean cinema into the action, crime and urban fantasy space; there is clearly effort and passion behind its production. However, awkward English dialogue delivery and an unclear central storyline prevent the film from reaching its full potential. While the film introduces several characters and ideas, it struggles to bring them together into a focused and compelling narrative. Despite these weaknesses, the film has moments that work. Supporting villains bring personality and tension to the story, while the controlled use of profanity adds intensity without feeling unnecessarily excessive. The film also deserves recognition for attempting a genre that is still relatively unexplored in PNG cinema.

FINAL VERDICT

Black Python is a bold but uneven attempt to bring action, crime and urban fantasy to Papua New Guinean cinema. Its ambitious concept and memorable supporting villains show potential, but the weak scripting, unnatural dialogue delivery and lack of a clear central protagonist hold the film back.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5