Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Everybody has a Plan: slow-burn character study burdened by hokey plot twists and themes of identity, choice and responsibility
Ana Piterbarg, “Todos tenemos un Plan / Everybody has a Plan” (2012) Ah, don’t we
French and French-language Films | German and German-language Films | Italian and Italian-language Films
The Name of the Rose: quite good if underrated adaptation of a literary novel with some extra features
Jean-Jacques Annaud, “The Name of the Rose” (1986) Based on Umberto Eco’s novel of the
A harrowing but necessary report on new drug scourge in “Sisa: Cocaine of the Poor”
Nick Alhmark / Vice, “Sisa: Cocaine of the Poor” (2013) Distressing to watch, yes, but
The Blair Witch Project: clever film that manipulates its audiences’ fear of the unknown and the ordinary
Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick, “The Blair Witch Project” (1998) About fifteen years after it
French and French-language Films
The Grand Illusion: meditating on the effects of war on society and people’s loyalties
Jean Renoir, “The Grand Illusion” (1934) Jean Renoir’s film is a moving meditation on war
Hell Drivers: under-rated classic of British 1950s social realism and commentary on a society in transition
Cy Endfield, “Hell Drivers” (1957) An interesting and very much under-rated example of 1950s British
Dirty Wars: a persuasive indictment of the US government’s War on Terror with something hidden and unexpected
Richard Rowley, “Dirty Wars” (2013) Part documentary, part personal testimony, this is a searing documentary
Fantastic Voyage: call for the doctor, this film of inner space has no vital signs!
Richard Fleischer, “Fantastic Voyage” (1966) Set during the Cold War in the 1960s – or
French and French-language Films
La Belle et La Bête: a visually sumptuous film both clear in its themes and ambiguous in its details
Jean Cocteau, “La Belle et La Bête” (1946) A beautiful and sumptuous film, this interpretation
Electronic Labyrinth THX1138 4EB: experimental sci-fi short already layered with allegory and critique
George Lucas, “Electronic Labyrinth THX1138 4EB” (1967) Precursor to “THX1138”, this short film was made