Monthly Archives: June 2013

Faking is art too, “La Migliore Offerta” – a review [2013 Italy]

Waiting for a new film by Giuseppe Tornatore has always been an eagerly anticipated event – more so when we’re usually kept waiting for years between each of his little gems. The maestro’s latest drama, “La migliore offerta” [Eng. … Continue reading

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Beauty isn’t always about what one could readily see: “La dentellière” [1977 France, Switzerland]

Sometimes, it requires a painter to appreciate beauty, says Swiss director Claude Goretta, and writer Pascal Lainé, upon whose novel the film, “La dentellière” [Eng. Title: The Lacemaker] is based. Even the title alludes to Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting.
Beatrice … Continue reading

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Delightful absurdity of a dysfunctional family, “Abel” [1986 Netherlands]

Alex van Warmerdam wrote, starred, and also made his directorial film début in what many consider to be a modern Dutch classic, “Abel”. It is also one of the most hilarious comedies I’ve seen from Holland – slapstick at … Continue reading

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Sixties’ kitsch and deviance – “Una ragazza piuttosto complicata” [1969 Italy]

Damiano Damiani was one of the most prominent and prolific Italian directors during the 60’s and 70’s, and his early crime and political dramas were, if not revolutionary, certainly ground-breaking for its time. His erotic/psychological thriller “Una ragazza piuttosto … Continue reading

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A relationship tested in the high Caucasus – “The Loneliest Planet” [USA, Germany 2011]

No too often do you find a single moment defining a film’s purpose. And when that happens, the filmmaker better make sure that he/she got the timing right, lest the message is lost on the audience. American director Julia … Continue reading

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