Category Archives: Directors

Gael García Bernal & Fele Martínez in Almodóvar’s “La Mala Educación” [2004 Spain]

While it is women who tend to be the primary character in Pedro Almodóvar films – his 2004 drama “La Mala Educación” [Eng. Title: Bad Education] is a notable exception. Hardly any woman feature in this film, and even the … Continue reading

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Marilyn Solaya & Mirta Ibarra in “Fresa y Chocolate” [1994, Cuba]

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea is Cuba’s best known and most respected director, and although I’ve seen only three films of his to date, I shall start his filmography with one of his last, “Fresa y Chocolate” [Eng. Title: Strawberry and Chocolate], … Continue reading

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Katrin Cartlidge in Mike Leigh’s “Naked” [1993 UK]

On the eve of the London Olympics, and walking amidst the sea of union flags, nervous commuters, and hysterical BBC presenters who’ve by now pitched tent in every corner of town, it is not difficult to come across a noticeable … Continue reading

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Liv Ullmann in Bergman’s “Skammen” [1968 Sweden]

The late sixties were momentous times in Europe and the world over, and Ingmar Bergman had a message to tell. He needed to tell us of our collective shame – the shame in the way people are governed, wars waged … Continue reading

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Antonia Zegers in “Post Mortem” [2010 Chile]

I’ve only recently discovered young Chilean director Pablo Larrain, but can readily see he is set for greater things. He breaks away from the typical Latin American mould to fluidly incorporate stylistic elements from other cinema particularly from northern Europe, … Continue reading

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