French and French-language Films
Eyes without a Face: mad-scientist horror genre gets serious treatment with issues of control and identity
Georges Franju, “Eyes without a Face” / “Les yeux sans visage” (1959) Lean and elegant in
Little Shop of Horrors: dark horror and farce in trashy 1960 cheapie
Roger Corman, “Little Shop of Horrors” (1960) Here’s a cute comedy horror piece made on
Australian and New Zealand Films
Recipe for Murder: an entertaining look at thallium poisoning craze in society traumatised by post-war social changes
Sonia Bible, “Recipe for Murder” (2010) Contrary to what most people think about the 1950’s,
Australian and New Zealand Films
Heavenly Creatures: a rich and dark dramatisation of a real-life matricide
Peter Jackson, “Heavenly Creatures” (1994) Having made his reputation as purveyor of gory splatter horror
French and French-language Films
Les Diaboliques aka The Devils: psychological horror film thin on plot but thick with suspense, claustrophobia, tension and twisted endings
Henri-Georges Clouzot, “Les Diaboliques” aka “The Devils” (1955) At first “Les Diaboliques” doesn’t seem anything
French and French-language Films
Wages of Fear: mesmerising film about character, motivation and meaning of existence in an uncaring universe
Henri-Georges Clouzot, “Wages of Fear” (1953) On paper, this movie’s plot looks so simple, even
French and French-language Films
Delicatessen: amusing dystopian black comedy that overdoes the oddball edge and comes out looking twee
Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, “Delicatessen” (1991) How to describe this droll French movie that
Early Summer: visually stunning film with message about effects of change on families
Yasujiro Ozu, “Early Summer” (1951) Calm and serene with a thin plot, “Early Summer” looks
Australian and New Zealand Films
The Fringe Dwellers: gentle comedy with limited message about a family struggling with racial prejudice and discrimination
Bruce Beresford, “The Fringe Dwellers” (1986) Based on the 1961 novel of the same name
Palindromes: dark comedy fable of Western society’s exploitation of children and value of life
Todd Solondz, “Palindromes” (2004) A dark comedic fairy tale about a girl trapped in a