Chinese and Chinese-language Films
Kekexili: Mountain Patrol : powerful Western-style film about an obsessive pursuit
Lu Chuan, “Kekexili: Mountain Patrol” (2004) Not often that you come across a film
Monsters (dir. Gareth Edwards): likely to be a minor cult classic but lacking in refinement
Gareth Edwards, “Monsters”, Vertigo Films (2010) Some time in the not too distant
The Good, the Bad, the Weird: escapist and fun spoof homage to Sergio Leone spaghetti / paella Westerns
Kim Jiwoon, “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2010) An affectionate homage to Sergio Leone’s
The Kite Runner: tear-jerker with weak plot and unappealing hero
Marc Forster, “The Kite Runner” (2006) Based on a best-selling novel by Afghan writer Khaled
Rear Window: clever Hitchcock suspense film turns the tables on viewers as passive spectators
Alfred Hitchcock, “Rear Window” (1954) From the days when Hollywood occasionally made films that featured rich
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Pan’s Labyrinth: film of dark fantasy, horror and historical drama that inspires hope and courage
Guillermo del Toro, “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006) This is an excellent film that successfully combines dark
Taste of Cherry: looks simple and minimal but carries an uncompromising message for viewers
Abbas Kiarostami, “Taste of Cherry” (1997) Source: www.thefilmpilgrim.com On the surface this looks like a
German and German-language Films
Fitzcarraldo: epic adventure marred by flat, over-involved plot with little human-interest tension
Werner Herzog, “Fitzcarraldo” (1982) For all the off-screen controversies and shenanigans that bedevilled the making
German and German-language Films
Aguirre, Wrath of God: understated study of obsession and megalomania is worth watching
Werner Herzog, “Aguirre, Wrath of God” (1972) A dramatic fictional rendition of the 1560 expedition
Agora: Hypatia’s life and times not done justice by film plot and structure
Alejandro Amenabar, “Agora” (2010) This Spanish production presents a fictional account of the final years