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Efter brylluppet (2006) - Denmark
Retold, "After the Wedding" may seem melodramatic and unrealistic. However, it unfolds so gradually and convincingly, that no doubts ever cross your mind as to its truth. Each turn comes unexpectedly, and yet the writers give you just enough to give you the same suspicions the main charachter, Jacob Peterson, is having. The stunningly beautiful ( Read more... ) -
Machuca (2004) - Chile
Where, how do they cast such amazing children? Are they really adults who look 10 ( Read more... ) -
Das Leben der Anderen (2007) - Germany
"The Life of Others" is an effective antidote to the intoxicating nostalgic powers of "Goodbye, Lenin!" Those unable to let go of a romanticized visions of the communist past will be confronted with secret police and civilian informants. Even though the character of a positive Stasi officer is unlikely and romanticized - no such cases are known - ( Read more... ) -
Kráska v nesnázích (2006) - Czech Republic
Beauty in Trouble ( Read more... ) -
Barrio Cuba (2005) - Cuba
I've been watching a lot of Cuban movies lately, ever since I started contemplating a trip to the island of freedom. After watching Barrio Cuba I did not return to these travel plans for a long time. Franky, I felt very depressed. The Cuba I imagined before was energeitc, erotically charged, romantic. If that is what it's like, I thought, do I want ( Read more... ) -
El Bola (2000) - Spain
Stories of childhood, though often attempted by filmmakers, are some of the hardest to tell with dignity. Writers and directros are, as it happens, all adults. Often we are assaulted with sentimentalism, unrealistic wisdom, exaggerations of violence or innocence. Malena is a monumental achievement in portrayal of boys. El Bola is another one worthy ( Read more... ) -
La Mujer de Mi Hermano (2005) - Mexico
Zoe is young, beautiful, and rich. She lives in a beautiful house with a handsome husband she loves. But not everything in her family life is perfect, and the time has come to confront it. Really, saying anything else about "My Brother's Woman" would be a spoiler. It is not just a family drama - it is a family mystery with a bit of suspence, which ( Read more... ) -
Persepolis (2007) - France
This autobiogaphical coming of age story by Marjane Satrapi has already made the rounds of festivals and award nominations, but I still feel that it's important to mention it, simply because it is a victory of talent over capabilities. This black and white animation is more impressive than the high tech junk that floods the genre today. It is a ( Read more... ) -
Cocalero (2007) - Bolivia
This simple documentary chronicles the election campaign of Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia in the 470 years of Spanish rule. In fact, he is the first indigenous president in Latin America. A former coca farmer himself (which is what cocalero means), he rose to power as union leader of coca growers in the face of US ( Read more... ) -
Dependencia Sexual (2003) - Bolivia
It takes about ten minutes to get used to the unique delayed split screen approach Rodrigo Bellott chose for this tale about Bolivian teenagers and sex. Slowly you begin to learn to look at both shots and understand its power. It would be almost unfair, invasive to stare with a single camera as two virginities are lost under peer pressure, ( Read more... )