Ugetsu: a parable of two men in pursuit of fame and glory, with social justice themes
Kenji Mizoguchi, “Ugetsu” (1953) Two interwined morality plays about peasants blinded by thoughts of personal
The Shining: a histrionic epic horror film saved by its themes of control and alien manipulation
Stanley Kubrick, “The Shining” (1980) In most directors’ hands, a Stephen King horror novel of
German and German-language Films
Run Lola Run: a mundane crime thriller plot set in a highly deterministic universe where humans run in preprogrammed loops
Tommy Tykwer, “Lola rennt / Run Lola Run” (1998) A mundane plot set in Berlin
British Films | Russian and Soviet Films
A significant political interview of amazing revelations in “Secret World of the US Election: Julian Assange Talks to John Pilger”
John Pilger, “Secret World of the US Election: Julian Assange Talks to John Pilger” (RT.com,
A socialist revolutionary parable and story of Buddhist compassion in “Yuki: Snow Fairy”
Tadashi Imai, “Yuki: Snow Fairy” (1981) In the hands of Tadashi Imai, notable as a
British Films | French and French-language Films
A trite plot and character stereotyping can’t lift “Paris 2054: Renaissance” from bland SF thriller genre
Christian Volckman, “Paris 2054: Renaissance” (2006) A glossy animated style of minimal black-and-white presentation, emphasising
Essays | Multi-media Presentations
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech (2016): shaping the world of tomorrow needs mutual understanding and co-operation, not lies, propaganda and destruction
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech at the XIII Meeting (Final Plenary Session) of the Valdai International
Breaking the Waves: a study of religious hypocrisy and oppression, and its effects on a naive woman, with a hollow heart
Lars von Trier, “Breaking the Waves” (1996) For the most part this often nihilistic film
Middle Eastern Films | Russian and Soviet Films
Channel 24 (Russia) Interview with First Lady of Syria Asma al Assad: a riveting conversation with a classy lady
Channel 24 (Russia) Interview with First Lady of Syria Asma al Assad (18 October 2016) In contrast to so
Portrait of a major 20th-century literary icon and his impact on Western culture in “William Burroughs: Man Within”
Yony Leyser, “William Burroughs: Man Within” (2010) An obvious labour of love for Yony Leyser,