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ACAB Yule Log
Relaxing footage of an empty cop car on fire. The ACAB Yule Log is appropriate any time of year to put on in the background as you sit back, sip on some cocoa, and read some good literature on defunding the police.
"ACAB Yule Log," directed by the provocatively talented Sasha Petrova, isn't your average holiday film. Instead of heartwarming carols and twinkling lights, Petrova gives us a bleakly satirical portrait of two disillusioned activists, Danny and Maya, trapped within the inescapable orbit of societal dysfunction during Christmas. The film, described as a "yuletide neo-noir," embraces genre tropes with an aggressive twist, leaving viewers grappling with uncomfortable truths disguised in a layer of festive imagery.
Starting on Christmas Eve, we find Danny (played by a magnetically brooding Mark Strong) and Maya (Sofia Boutella, radiating an intense quiet defiance) reluctantly participating in a live-streamed Yule Log broadcast, a protest tactic against rampant police brutality and the institutionalised apathy it represents. The virtual log fires crackle with subversive messages and the unsettling footage of peaceful protests brutally dispersed by riot police. As the hours tick by, interspersed with snippets of holiday cheer awkwardly juxtaposed with news reports of mass incarceration and social unrest, the tension within the activists' makeshift studio festers.
Petrova masterfully uses the confines of the studio as a microcosm for society's failings. The constant surveillance of the livestream, mirroring the intrusion of authorities into everyday life, adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere. Danny, a fading revolutionary haunted by past failures, becomes increasingly reckless, challenging viewers directly with passionate outbursts and accusations. Maya, more pragmatic and introspective, wrestles with the futility of their actions, questioning the impact their protest can have against a system seemingly immune to dissent.
The film’s true brilliance, however, lies in its unexpected twist. Midway through the broadcast, a mysterious figure claiming to be a "community volunteer" starts interacting with the livestream, offering hope and support. This figure, however, turns out to be a manipulative agent provocateur, feeding the activists' disillusionment and ultimately turning them against each other. The revelation exposes the insidious nature of state control and the ease with which dissent can be manipulated.
The climax, a chaotic descent into personal betrayal and public humiliation, serves as a chilling reflection of the film’s core message: that even the most well-intentioned acts of rebellion can be twisted and exploited.
"ACAB Yule Log" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that demands attention. Petrova's unflinching direction and the compelling performances of Strong and Boutella make this more than just a subversive holiday film. It's a bleak mirror held up to society, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable realities of our world. Whether you love it or hate it, you won't be able to ignore it.
