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 in April 2013, and the arrest of suspect bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev…
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 even in Europe there are societies where the very new and…
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 by moments of black humour, kitsch and banality, “The Act of…
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 director / animator / script-writer is a charming 5-minute morsel exploring…
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 new four-part series in the Ghost in the Shell franchise, this…
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 a new name to me and he has been billed as…
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 of the same name many years ago and found it an…
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 Strange Drops of Blood on Jennifer’s Body?”, this flick is representative…
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 violence beneath the patina of an apparently happy family, “Shadow of…
The Changing of the Guard: how love conquers social class and restrictions
Wlodzimierz Haupe and Halina Bielinska, “The Changing of the Guard / Zmiana warty” (1958) A simply made stop-motion animation piece, this little film is a tragic…