French and French-language Films
The Thief of Paris: a tedious, lacklustre comedy of one individual’s rebellion against social hypocrisy
Louis Malle, “Le Voleur / The Thief of Paris” (1967) A crime comedy caper starring
Treasures Decoded (Season 4, Episode 6: Shrunken Heads): phenomenon of shrunken heads hides a history of cultural exploitation and degradation
Peter Crystal, “Treasures Decoded (Season 4, Episode 6: Shrunken Heads)” (2017) Shrunken human heads are
French and French-language Films | Northern European Films
The Passion of Joan of Arc: an experimental film let down by its narrow focus, story-line and characterisation
Carl Theodor Dreyer, “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (1928) In itself, this silent film
Chinese and Chinese-language Films | Korean Films
US Missile Base Upsets the Morning Calm: a sketchy report on the insidious effects of US military activity on a South Korean village and farming region
Yoichi Shimatsu, “US Missile Base Upsets the Morning Calm (Lens.tv Report: THAAD Deployment in South
Australian and New Zealand Films
Mad Dog Morgan: an enjoyable if rambling film protesting against colonialism and its values
Philippe Mora, “Mad Dog Morgan” (1976) Based on the life of an actual bushranger who
French and French-language Films | Middle Eastern Films
The Congress: good ideas and astute criticism of Hollywood and technology undone by a confused narrative
Ari Folman, “The Congress” (2013) Partly based on Stanislaw Lem’s novel “The Futurological Congress”, in
German and German-language Films
Oh Boy: a young man without purpose and focus comes to accept responsibility and care for the world
Jan Ole Gerster, “Oh Boy” (2012) Debut film for German director Jan Ole Gerster, “Oh
The Promise: a slurpy romantic melodrama overshadows significant historic events
Terry George, “The Promise” (2016) A film about the Ottoman Turkish genocide of Armenians and
The Mummy (directed by Alex Kurtzman): action thriller / horror film with no horror, few thrills and silly action
Alex Kurtzman, “The Mummy” (2017) Somewhere in this hokey action blockbuster film is a story
Masquerade: a historical drama inspired by a bizarre episode in a Korean king’s reign becomes an inquiry into good government and social class
Choo Chang-min “Gwanghae: Wang-i Doen Namja / Masquerade” (2012) Korean actor Lee Byung-hun may be better