Tag Archives: frontal nudity

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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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 complicata” … 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 Loktev’s … Continue reading

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Olga Ponizova in “Grekh. Istoriya Strasti” [1993 Russia]

Viktor Sergeyev’s melodrama “Grekh. Istoriya Strasti” [Eng. Title: Sin. A Story of Passion] is about a love affair between a monk and a young carefree woman. Storyline: The film is told in flashback, after a German TV crew descend upon … Continue reading

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An aspiring middle class imprisoned to the past, and present, “O Som ao Redor” [2012 Brazil]

Every once in a while, a young film maker turns up with that special film to reassure us all that cinema is indeed in rude health. Like Kleber Mendonça Filho, who’s just made a remarkable directorial début with his thought-provoking … Continue reading

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