Foreign Film Loverz

Three Colours: Blue, White, and Red by Krzysztof Kieslowski

adhusia — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:28:47 -0700

Krzysztof Kieslowski is one of the best as well the best known Polish direcors. He became associated with the "cinema of moral anxiety" which depicted the life in Poland during the communism. His other famous and equaly amazing works are "The Double Life of Veronique" and "The Decalogue".
The characters in these films are separated from those they love. Each of them is different in tone though because there are different ways of deeling with loss.
The title of this trilogy refers to the colours of the French flag: blue, white and red. The themes are associated with the French revolutionary slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". Each film explores the meaning of the particular word in this slogan.
So in "Blue" Julie 'Juliette Binoche) seeks liberation from her past. She lost her husband and a little daughter in a car accident so she tries to free herself from everything that causes her pain by reminding her of her family. True to the title the main colour in this film is blue (also associated with sadness). The cinematography is absolutely marvelous and live it to Juliette to deliver a breathtaking performance. Also the music is worth mentioning because it olny deepens the feeling of loneliness.
"White" on the oter hand is a variation on the social comedy. It's theme is equality. A Polish hairdresser Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski) after being humiliated and thrown out of the house by his French wife (Julie Delphy) returns to his homeland where he makes succes of his life and tries to avenge himself on the wife. But it proves to be rather difficult because he still loves her. Although the plot might seem heavy the film is really enjoyable with some funny turning points and good acting.
The last one "Red" is a sort of mystery- romance. It deels with fraternity. A model Valentine (Irene Jacob) developes a platonic relationship with an elderly and cynical judge. The whole trilogy is binded together in this, last picture.
These films are all beautifully executed and the images are breathtaking. Deffenitely something to see and reflect on for a while. Enjoy!

Kamikaze Girls

hell00kitty — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:41:00 -0700

I just rented this movie and watched it last night. This movie was not only appealing b/c I'm a big fan of the 'lolita' look, but the images, scenery, and the characters are awesome. It's touching and pretty hilarious. It has a few scenes that are anime too If you like quirky japanese movies, I recommend this one!

http://www.kamikazegirls.net/news.html

What the website says:
"Momoko (pop idol Kyoko Fukada, pictured above) yearns to live in 18-century Versailles than in her back-country hometown of Shimotsuma, heartland of the yakuza. To escape, she loses herself in the dreamy, doll-like fashions of the "Lolita” scene. Her idol is Akinori Isobe, chief designer of Baby, the Stars Shine Bright-her favorite Lolita design hose. She travels all the way to Tokyo to shop at their store.
One languid summer, to help fund her expensive hobby, Momoko runs a
classified ad of brand-name knock-off clothes (produced by her dad) for
sale. She encounters a buyer named Ichiko (the real name is Ichigo), who
happens to live in her neighborhood.
Super-rebel Ichiko (model and J-rock icon Anna Tsuchiya, pictured below), is a “Yankee”-style member of the Ponytails motorbike gang, one of Ibaraki's "Wild speed tribes,” whose teeth-rattling customized bikes are decked out with fiberglass shields and bannered backrests.
Somewhat against Momoko’s will, she and Ichigo slowly develop a strong friendship as they share their feelings on the odd goings-ons around them."

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

hell00kitty — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:06:31 -0700

Or Scaphandre et le papillon in french.

'Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, in 1995 at the age of 43, suffered a stroke that paralyzed his entire body, except his left eye. Bauby learned to communicate with the outside world using his left eyelid, the only part of his body over which he still had any control. During the next fourteen months, using a communication code developed by his therapist and his publisher's assistant, who transcribed this code, Bauby was able to compose, letter by letter, a lyrical and heartbreaking memoir of his life struggle.Using that eye to blink out his memoir, Bauby eloquently described the aspects of his interior world, from the psychological torment of being trapped inside his body to his imagined stories from lands he'd only visited in his mind. '

This movie became pretty popular, and after missing it in the theatres I rented it some time ago. This movie really is amazing and its based off a true story. The main character is pretty interesting and the contrast of his life before his accident is unbelievable. I've not read the book, but I think I might soon.

“The Mirror” by Andrei Tarkovsky

adhusia — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:55:54 -0700

Tarkovsky is undoubtedly one of my favourite directors. The images in his films are beautiful and enchanting but also disturbing and hunting. Although his films are sometimes difficult to understand they are a must see if you love cinema 

“The Mirror” (or “Zerkalo” in Russian) is a story about a forty-something man who reminiscences about his life: his childhood during WWII, his adolescence and his later marriage. The story together with the beautiful images (notably the dream sequences – breathtaking) creates an unforgettable experience of cinema. I recommend to see it alone when you are peaceful and relaxed 

It is truly one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen!

Paris, je t'aime

hell00kitty — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:14:37 -0700

"Paris, je t'aime is about the plurality of cinema in one mythic location: Paris, the City of Love. Twenty filmmakers will bring their own personal touch, underlining the wide variety of styles, genres, encounters and the various atmospheres and lifestyles that prevail in the neighborhoods of Paris. Each director has been given five minutes of freedom, and we, as producers, carry the responsibility of weaving a single narrative unit out of those twenty moments. The 20 films will not appear in the order of the arrondissements, from one to twenty, but rather, in a pertinent narrative order, initially unknown to the audience. They will be fused together by transitional interstitial sequences, and also via the introduction and epilogue sequences of the feature film.

Considering the common theme of Paris and Love, the fusion between the films and the transitions, the fast pace of a fluid and complete storytelling, Paris, je t'aime will not be just another "anthology" picture. It will be a unique collective feature film that will constitute a two-hour cinematographic spectacle whose original structure will make for a dramatically different experience for its global audience." - imdb

I really liked this film. I didnt know much about it when I saw it but was pleasantly surprised. It has a great mix of fantasy, romance, comedy, action etc. And it's about love in Paris!! It's got some pretty accomplished directors, and actors in it. A few you may recognize

Natalie Portman, Elijah Wood, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Nick Nolte,

Banlieue 13 (District B13)-

hell00kitty — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:50:19 -0700

Banlieue 13 (District B13)- French film. Set in the ghettos of Paris in 2010, an undercover cop and ex-thug try to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb. Holy Parkour! ..>..>

..> Main Entry:
parkour

Part of Speech:
n

Definition:
a recreational pursuit in which participants traverse urban structures by running, jumping, vaulting, rolling, etc.

Example:
A young man who practices parkour is a traceur; a young woman who does this is a traceuse...>

Cidade de Deus "City of God"

hell00kitty — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:48:04 -0700

Cidade de Deus "City of God" - a Brazilian film. Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a housing project built in the 1960's that--in the early 80's--became one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. The tale tells the stories of many characters whose lives sometimes intersect. However, all is seen through the eyes of a singular narrator: Buscapé, a poor black youth too frail and scared to become an outlaw but also to smart to be content with underpaid, menial jobs. I wont say much about this movie, cause most of you have prolly already seen it. but if you havent you should. crazy crazy crazy good.

"Old Boy"

hell00kitty — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:46:27 -0700

"Old Boy" -a Korean Film. An average man is kidnapped and imprisoned in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. He then is released, equipped with money, a cellphone and expensive clothes. As he strives to explain his imprisonment and get his revenge, he soon finds out that not only does his kidnapper still have plans for him, but that those plans will serve as an even worse finale to 15 years of imprisonment. If I say anything about this movie I might ruin it. The ending will make your brain explode. 'nough said. crazyiest surprise ending, my guts have ever seen.

"The Edukadors"

hell00kitty — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:44:47 -0700

"The Edukadors"- Austrian film.The film "The Edukadors" follows three idealistic activists living in present day Germany. When Jule gets evicted and is forced to move in with her boyfriend Peter and his slightly aloof introverted roommate Jan, she finds out about Jan and Peter's secret identity. this finding leads the three into a chain of dangerous events which leaves them as a love triangle. The Edukadors presents three people trying to get by in a corrupt world.I really really really liked this movie. In the movie, there is a scene where the characters break into a mansion, but instead of stealing or vandalizing, they carefully and ornately rearrange furniture and valulables and leave obscure messages. freakin awesome.

Diarios de Moto Cicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries)

hell00kitty — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:34:53 -0700

Diarios de Moto Cicleta - Argentian movie. The Motorcycle Diaries is an adaptation of a journal written by Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna when he was 23 years old. He and his friend, Alberto Granado are typical college students who, seeking fun and adventure before graduation, decide to travel across Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. Beginning as a buddy/road movie in which Ernesto and Alberto are looking for chicks, fun and adventure before they must grow up and have a more serious life. The two best friends start off with the same goals and aspirations, but by the time the film is over, it's clear what each man's destiny has become. I could watch this movie over and over and over again. It's a really pretty film. Plus, Gael Garcia Bernal is...oh so...dreamy.