Category Archives: Directors

Sexual repression and defiance in post-revolution Hungary – Egymásra nézve [1982]

Among Eastern European directors, Hungarian Károly Makk has been a favourite in western film festivals over the years, for his elegantly subdued direction, and the haunting atmospheric images that he uses to reflect the politics and circumstances of his characters. … Continue reading

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Lali Espinet, tragic heroine of the ‘S’ years: “El Pico” 1 & 2 [Spain 1983, 1984]

Those were heady days in Spain – the late 70’s and early 80’s – the economy was booming, the country was busy catching up on lost time, and newly won liberties were enthusiastically celebrated, which allowed hitherto hidden film-talents to … Continue reading

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A pilgrimage of the damned – “Ya tozhe khochu” [2012 Russia]

Two famous films came to mind watching Aleksey Balabanov’s adventure drama, “Ya tozhe khochu” [Eng. Title: Me Too] – Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker, and Alejandro Jadorowsky’s Fando & Lis, even if the style and visuals are closer to the former. Storyline: … Continue reading

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A life seen through the sands of time – “Casa de Areia” [2005 Brazil]

Andrucha Waddington is among some exciting young directors working in Brazil today, and his 2005 drama “Casa de Areia” [Eng. Title: The House of Sand], one of the most memorable Brazilian films I’ve seen to date. I was mesmerised yet … Continue reading

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High art in a Parisian afternoon – Varda’s “Cléo de 5 à 7” [1962 France, Italy]

The French New Wave will be incomplete without the redoubtable Agnès Varda – in fact, critics even credit her earlier works as the forerunner of the Nouvelle Vague. Whatever the case, Varda’s magnificent 1962 masterpiece “Cléo de 5 à 7” … Continue reading

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