The Image: a tiny study of mental crisis, homoeroticism and creepy atmosphere sets a template for David Bowie’s future career
Michael Armstrong, “The Image” (1967) Notable mainly for being singer and sometime actor David Bowie’
French and French-language Films
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie: mocking the middle classes for their hypocrisy, sense of entitlement and shallow values
Luis Buñuel, “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie / Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie” (1972)
Son of Saul: a modern morality play in the midst of extreme evil
László Nemes, “Son of Saul / Saul Fia” (2015) Of all the stories László Nemes
French and French-language Films
The Phantom of Liberty: a snapshot of modern life where social conventions and hypocrisy limit personal freedom and responsibility
Luis Buñuel, “The Phantom of Liberty / Le Fantôme de la Liberté” (1974) This film
Trumbo: a moving dramatisation of a society’s delusions, paranoia and persecutions
Jay Roach, “Trumbo” (2015) This biopic of Hollywood screen-writer Dalton Trumbo’s career from the late
David Bowie Under Review 1976 – 1979: The Berlin Trilogy – a good if dry introduction to David Bowie’s most influential recordings
Christian Davies, “David Bowie Under Review 1976 – 1979: The Berlin Trilogy” (2006) David Bowie’s
Sally Hemings: An American Scandal – earnest attempt to flesh out Thomas Jefferson / Sally Hemings affair
Charles Haid, “Sally Hemings: An American Scandal” (2000) More notable for the performances of its
Anomalisa: an incompletely developed film on alienation and the struggle to live in an oppressive conformist society
Charlie Kaufmann and Duke Johnson, “Anomalisa” (2015) Not often does a film come along that
Middle Eastern Films | North American Films
Rendition: straining to present an honest and critical view of US foreign policy
Gavin Hood, “Rendition” (2007) Rarely does Hollywood release a film that attempts to address and
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Hollywood Goth drama undone by misanthropy and poor source material
Tim Burton, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007) US film director Tim