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 this is a story that has to be told. VICE reporter…
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 was made and the hype surrounding it died down, this hokey…
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 and its effects on the traditions of early twentieth century European…
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 noir / social realism, “Hell Drivers” is probably better known for…
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 following investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill across the Middle East and the…
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 was it the 1990s? – “Fantastic Voyage” has a wonderful premise…
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 of the famous fairy tale by surrealist writer / film-maker Jean…
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 by Lucas while he was a student at the University of…
THX1138: surprisingly intelligent dystopian sci-fi film serving as both allegory and social criticism
George Lucas, “THX1138” (1971) Before he became famous for his “Star Wars” series of films, George Lucas was noted chiefly for his dystopian sci-fi flick “THX1138”…
French and French-language Films
Black Moon: surreal film on death and rebirth that satirises political, cultural and social issues of 1970s
Louis Malle, “Black Moon” (1975) A curious film this is, based on Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”, in which Alice figure Lily (Cathryn Harrison) is fleeing…