Thursday Movie Picks: Non-English Films
1) The Broken Circle Breakdown - From Belgium, this story is about a couple who fall in love despite being opposites. They eventually have a child who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and this movie is about how it affects them. I really liked this movie, despite the weird rant the main character goes on towards the end that brings the film to a screeching halt.
2) Loveless - From Russia, a young boy overhears his parents talking about his future in the midst of their divorce. Neither want him, so he runs away. Now the parents must find him. I would never watch this film again but good lord does it live rent free in my head. This film is relentlessly brutal. I hated both parents so much and just wanted to take their son in my arms. I think the fact that this film works is pretty remarkable.
3) Child's Pose - From Romania, a mother will do anything to save her son from going to prison on manslaughter charges. This features an excellent lead performance from the late Luminita Gheorghiu. I remember seeking this out when it was on the Oscar short list and being really annoyed when it wasn't nominated. It should have been.
Firstly I see you've given the joint a new coat of paint! Looks very good!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI always love a theme within the theme but I have to say this one is very bleak. In a statement I expect to be making many times today I've seen none of these. They all sound compelling but considering the subject matter I don't know how likely I'll be to pursue them with vigor.
I like to see this theme come around too but there are SO many ways to go and choices it's tough to narrow down. I ended up choosing more recent views, one each from a different country.
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)-An Italian police inspector (Gian Maria Volonte) held in high regard within the department and community murders his mistress and then insinuates himself into the homicide investigation that follows. Believing he is above suspicion he takes it as a game to plant clues at the crime scene to test the competence and integrity of Italian law enforcement. Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
A Colt is My Passport (1967)-Hitman Shuji Kamimura (Joe Shishido) and his partner Shun Shiozaki (Jerry Fujio) are hired by yakuza boss Senzaki to kill a rival whose greed has become a problem. The job comes off but then the pair runs into complications that seem to be headed in a deadly direction. This pastiche of noir/yakuza/spaghetti Western takes you on a wild ride.
Orpheus (1950)-During an altercation in a Parisian Cafe involving the poet Orphée (Jean Marais) rival poet Cègeste (Edouard Dermithe) is killed. A mysterious princess (MarÃa Casares) appears and insists on taking Orpheus and the body away in her Rolls-Royce. Orphée soon finds himself in the underworld, where the Princess announces that she is, in fact, Death. Orpheus escapes in the Rolls back to the land of the living but at a cost. Jean Cocteau directed this surrealistic updating of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Thank you! She needed a new look.
DeleteChild's Pose isn't as bleak as it sounds but the other two are, especially Loveless. That movie is just hard to watch. I haven't seen any of your picks this week either, but I'm familiar with Orpheus.
I've only seen Loveless and I still remember how much it hurt to watch it. Child's Pose really sounds interesting and I'm adding to my watchlist immediately.
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you like Child's Pose. I can still feel the pain Loveless caused. holy shit that movie was brutal.
DeleteGah I have not heard of these!! They sound depressing in their own right, but Child's Pose sounds pretty fascinating!
ReplyDeleteVery, but Child's Pose is the least depressing of them all. lol
DeleteI've only seen Loveless as I hated those parents in that film as they're just horrendous people. Still, it's a great film. I haven't seen the other picks though there is a DVD copy of The Broken Circle Breakdown at my local library.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth watching though it's not perfect. I think you'd really dig Child's Pose too.
DeleteSad to say I haven't seen or heard of these yet. Putting together this list made me realize how much I need to watch more international movies. The theme within a theme is interesting though. I was close to doing a dance theme this week but couldn't ignore Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great film, I understand.
DeleteI don't know any of these movies, but what an interesting theme within a theme. I agree that this week really offered some great insights into what to watch from all participants. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of your picks but definitely remember the trailer for The Broken Circle Breakdown. The movie seems super interesting and I meant to watch it but then I somehow forgot. 😅
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a try!
DeleteThe only one I've heard of is The Broken Circle Breakdown and one I want to see. Back when I still listened to film podcasts, during the year the film came out, it was talked about and recommended on a few podcasts.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the chance to see it eventually. It's not perfect but worth the watch.
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