Tolerantia: a plea for religious tolerance and diplomacy over war
Ivan Ramadan, “Tolerantia” (2008) An animated 3D short made in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2008, “Tolerantia” is a plea for religious tolerance. Set at the end of the…
nausika
Middle Eastern Films, Russian and Soviet Films
The Syrian Diary: a valuable historical document giving an alternate viewpoint on the Syrian civil war
“The Syrian Diary” (Rossiya 24, 2013) Made for Russian television, this documentary follows Rossiya 24 reporter Anastasia Popova and a Syrian army unit she is attached…
North American Films, Northern European Films
Dancer in the Dark: a manipulative film with a conservative and disheartening message
Lars von Trier, “Dancer in the Dark” (2000) Lars von Trier’s one attempt at making a tractor musical is the third and final installment in a…
Floating Weeds: a graceful work of compassion for human frailties
Yasujiro Ozu, “Floating Weeds” (1959) In the hands of a lesser director, the soap opera plot of this film would have become sensationalist drama, soon to…
Review of Films I’ve seen in 2013
Dear Readers, Another year has passed, it’s time for another summary of what I consider to be the best films I’ve seen at the cinema, on…
Philomena: a gentle film gingerly side-stepping the exploitation of young women and their children for profit
Stephen Frears, “Philomena” (2013) A gentle film about an elderly woman searching for the son she was coerced into putting up for adoption half a century…
British Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Hidden truths revealed (or maybe not) on “Sputnik: Orbiting the World with George Galloway (Episode 2)”
George Galloway and Gayatri Pertiwi, “Sputnik: Orbiting the World with George Galloway (Episode 2)” (RT.com, 23 November 2013) Broadcast on the 50th anniversary of the assassination…
Kwaidan: a lesson in four parts about having contact with the spirit world
Masaki Kobayashi, “Kwaidan” (1964) Often billed as a horror film, “Kwaidan” is in fact a quartet of fantasy stories of which three were based on traditional…
The Eel: tale of redemption labouring under too many complex abstract themes
Shohei Imamura, “The Eel / Unagi” (1997) Japan’s boys in blue have an enviable record in obtaining a near 100% rate of criminal convictions and never…
A Tattooed Life: underrated yakuza character study expressing anti-nationalist nihilism
Seijun Suzuki, “A Tattooed Life / Irezumi Ichidai” (1965) A surprisingly touching and quite emotional drama, told in a traditional way, this is an underrated yakuza…