Tag Archives: groping

A brief look at “Das Leben ist eine Baustelle.” [1997 Germany]

Having enjoyed watching Good Bye Lenin, I was looking forward to Wolfgang Becker’s earlier romantic drama “Das Leben ist eine Baustelle.” [Eng. Title: Life is All You Get.] – it was after all well received at festivals, and also starred a … Continue reading

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Life is a nightmare – “Sílení” [2005 Czech Rep, Slovakia]

  Czech director Jan Svankmajer is renowned for his surreal films and fascinating stop-motion animations that some may find macabre. In his 2005 film, “Sílení” [Eng. Title: Lunacy], he opens the film in person and informs that we’re about to … Continue reading

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Unfinished business after love – “El Pasado” [2007 Argentina, Brazil]

After some brilliant and ground-breaking films like Pixote and Carandiru, acclaimed Argentinian-Brazilian director Hector Babenco made “El pasado” [Eng. Title: the Past] – a low-key drama focusing on the aftermath of a couple’s relationship. Sofia (Analía Couceyro) and Rimini (Gael … Continue reading

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A battle between Sacrifice and Temptation, in “Metéora” [2012 Greece, Germany]

Talented young director Spiros Stathoulopoulos returns to his Greek roots to examine, using local symbolism, the eternal battle between sacrifice and temptation. His film “Metéora” is set amidst the craggy hilltop monasteries of the same name, run by monks and … Continue reading

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Lampooning pseudo-liberalism, “Une partie de plaisir” [1975 France]

In 1975, Claude Chabrol made two successive films that related to infidelity. The first of the two, “Une partie de plaisir” [Eng. Titles: A Piece of Pleasure, Pleasure Party], concerns Philippe – a pseudo-liberal, whose ego and controlling behaviour will … Continue reading

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