Category Archives: Cinema

Reflections on Portuguese History – ‘Non’, ou A Vã Glória de Mandar [1990 Portugal]

Apart from being the most revered director in Portugal, Manoel de Oliveira must surely also be the granddad among all veterans – he started making films in 1931, and is still going strong at the time of writing. That’s one … Continue reading

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Vintage romance and superstition from Bohemia – “Divá Bára” [1949 Czechoslovakia]

Vladimir Cech’s quaint little drama from 1949, “Divá Bára” [Eng. Trans: Wild Bara], is for those who love a good ol’ fashioned ‘black and white’ romance now and again. Not the kind that’ll well your eyes with tears though – … Continue reading

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Of daydreams and hidden desires – “Belle de Jour” [1967 France, Italy]

Let’s open the great Luis Buñuel’s filmography with one of his more recognisable works, “Belle de Jour”. His first film in colour is also regarded by many as among the best films of all time. Buñuel’s most commercially successful film, … Continue reading

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Slaying personal demons in the wilderness – “Zero Kelvin” [1995 Norway, Sweden]

Norwegians (and Scandinavians) are unique indeed – shaped by their rugged land and climate, they’d learned to thrive in places many would only consider ‘extreme’. But it is also apparent that they’re equally curious and contemplative about everything under the … Continue reading

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Life, fiction, and blah blah blah… “Bonsái” [2011 Chile]

Young directors like Cristián Jiménez are proof that cinema is alive and well in Chile, and Latin America in general. “Bonsái” may only be the second feature directed and scripted by Jiménez, but his ambitiousness is already plain to see. … Continue reading

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