The Seventh Seal: examining a man’s crisis of faith and his quest for meaning to his existence
Ingmar Bergman, “The Seventh Seal / Det Sjunde Inseglet” (1957) Set in Sweden during the Black Death (1347 – 1350), this famous film examines a man’s…
Australian and New Zealand Films
The Hunter: a mix of good acting, stunning cinematography and a forced, unrealistic plot loaded with stereotyping
Daniel Nettheim, “The Hunter” (2011) Based on the novel by Julia Leigh, “The Hunter” is both a mystery thriller and a journey of self-discovery and redemption…
The Gatekeepers: a powerful indictment of Israel’s obsession with security and use of fear, terror and violence
Dror Moresh, “The Gatekeepers” (2012) An astonishing and powerful documentary about the Israeli internal intelligence security agency Shin Bet as seen through the eyes and viewpoints…
Stoker: psychological thriller let down by stereotyped characters and poor scripting
Park Chanwook, “Stoker” (2013) Appropriately Chanwook Park’s Hollywood directing debut is a psychological thriller featuring an oddball protagonist who has lived a life of isolation for…
Once Upon a Time (dir. Walerian Borowczyk and Jan Lenica): an oddball pair trying to find their identity and place in an abstract world
Walerian Borowczyk and Jan Lenica, “Once Upon a Time / Byl sobie raz” (1957) An amusing little cartoon with a circus freak-show organ music soundtrack, “Once…
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? – celebrating absurdity and eccentricity in a bland and indifferent world
Werner Herzog, “My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?” (2009) In this film, based on an actual incident, director Werner Herzog pursues his life-long fascination…
Battle Royale (Director’s Cut): satire on Japanese society and militaristic values with plenty of teen angst and splatter gore
Kinji Fukasaku, “Battle Royale (Director’s Cut)” (2000) For all its extreme violence and other liberties it takes, for me this film reads like a satire of…
Persona: visually stunning minimalist meditation on identity, duality and the art of film-making
Ingmar Bergman, “Persona” (1966) A visually stunning film, shot in black and white film and using contrasts of lighting and landscape to illustrate its themes of…
Chinese and Chinese-language Films, French and French-language Films
Clean: a tale of caution and redemption lacking in spark and realism
Olivier Assayas, “Clean” (2004) Rare are the movies in which two main characters happen to be father and his daughter-in-law yet just this month I’ve already…
Upstream Color: how love and hope can overcome a cycle of evil and bring about healing
Shane Carruth, “Upstream Color” (2012) Since making “Primer”, Shane Carruth’s career as film director and producer has definitely leapt ahead. There is still a rough-edged quality…