Tag Archives: rape

A review: “DAU. Natasha” [2020, Russia, Germany, Ukraine]

Rarely does one bump into a film with an ambiguous origin, uncertain of the exact time that the first seed of an idea was sown. While we might have encountered films made from ‘found-footage’ or other reality shows, nothing comes … Continue reading

Posted in Ilya Khrzhanovskiy, Russian Cinema, Ukraine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Historical baggage: “Cargo 200” [2007, Russia]

The allegorical Soviet drama “Gruz 200” [Eng. Title: Cargo 200] is one of Aleksey Balabanov’s most important and uninhibited films to date. It is also lesser known than his highly acclaimed “Brother” duology for the very same reason – for … Continue reading

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A brief review: “Time of Darkness” [1991, Russia]

Occasionally we bump into a film only when looking for something else. An exploration into early post-Soviet Russian cinema led me to Vladimir Alenikov’s medieval drama “Time of Darkness” [Russian Title: Fiofaniya, risuyushchaya smert], made originally in English. Produced by … Continue reading

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That stench, of a rotting world… “Baixio das Bestas” [2006 Brazil]

So exclaims Heitor to his neighbour and friend Mario, referring to falling standards of honour and respect within society. He ticks off a ‘permissive’ culture with ‘loose morals’, and castigates skimpily clad hostesses appearing on TV. He alleges that these occurrences are due … Continue reading

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What you don’t take, you won’t have! “Marketa Lazarová” [1967 Czechoslovakia]

Frantisek Vlácil is considered one of the pioneers of the Czech New Wave. Having started out as a graphic artist, Vlácil ventured into film, particularly features, much later in his career, and therefore belonged to an earlier generation to his … Continue reading

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