Blancanieves: silent Gothic melodrama of a brief summer of shining innocence before a long winter of fascism
Pablo Berger, “Blancanieves” (2012) In the style of old 1920s expressionist silent films, Berger’s “Blancanieves”
Author: nausika
What’s to be Done with Chechnya? – an Essay on Chechen-Russian relations and problems
WHAT’S TO BE DONE WITH CHECHNYA? Chechnya: a Troubled Region After the Boston Marathon bombings
Eastern European Films | North American Films
The Forgiveness of Blood: psychological drama of two teenagers caught between rapid modernisation and age-old traditions
Joshua Marston, “The Forgiveness of Blood / Falja e Gjakut” (2010) Hard to believe that
Northern European Films | Southeast Asian Films
The Act of Killing: chilling documentary on mass murderers and the society that supports and celebrates their deeds
Joshua Oppenheimer, “The Act of Killing” (2012) A chilling film, made all the more so
She and Her Cat: short visual haiku meditating on doomed romance, loneliness and alienation in an overwhelming industrial world
Makoto Shinkai, “She and Her Cat” (1999) The debut animé film by Makoto Shinkai as
Ghost in the Shell: Arise (1: Ghost Pain): resurrected science fiction series needs new spark to keep alive
Kazuchika Kise, “Ghost in the Shell: Arise – 1: Ghost Pain” (2013) First of a
Garden of Words: small-scale character study of adolescent infatuation is a lesson on desire, loneliness and alienation
Makoto Shinkai, “Garden of Words / Koto no ha no niwa” (2013) Makoto Shinkai is
Brazilian Films | North American Films
Kiss of the Spider Woman: a multi-layered plot and excellent acting and direction create a powerful film classic
Hector Babenco, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985) I had read the Manuel Puig novel
Italian and Italian-language Films
The Case of the Bloody Iris: trashy serial killer entertainment set in a changing Italy during the early 1970s
Giuliano Carnimeo, “The Case of the Bloody Iris” (1971) Known also as “What are those
Shadow of a Doubt: innocence, a happy family and insular small town America menaced by an outside force
Alfred Hitchcock, “Shadow of a Doubt” (1942) A dark film that explores the potential for