Category Archives: Directors

Everything can be justified in war – “Voyna” [2002 Russia]

Aleksey Balabanov looks at the Chechen conflict through the eyes of a liberal-but-nationalistic Russian in his war-time drama, “Voyna” [Eng. Title: War]. But I somehow also get the feeling that he’s mocking us Brits in the process. The film pulls … Continue reading

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Playing with film and light – “Post Tenebras Lux” [2012 Mexico]

Carlos Reygadas (of Batalla en el cielo and Stellet Licht fame) is no stranger to pushing the envelope and has as many ardent admirers as hardened cynics. But there is no denying the fact that he is one of the … Continue reading

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Marguerite Duras, and her film “Baxter, Vera Baxter” [1977 France]

To claim that Marguerite Duras is the director of some of the most demanding films I’d ever seen, would be an understatement. You will need patience, a reasonable intellect, and be fully tuned to the characters on-screen to truly appreciate … Continue reading

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Terminus Paradis – the final destination for dreamers and romantics [1998 Romania, France, Italy]

Lucian Pintilie had something pressing to say in his whirlwind of a drama, “Terminus Paradis” [Eng. Title: Next Stop Paradise], and he certainly pulls no punches in getting the message across. He shows us a post-communist Romania where love is … Continue reading

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Affectionate portrait of a working class family, “Life is Sweet” [1990 United Kingdom]

When I watched Mike Leigh’s “Life is Sweet” for the first time all those years ago, it didn’t particularly make a strong impression – it was well made alright, but it was also as if I knew these characters all … Continue reading

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