Cold Souls: a dull, flat and unsatisfying comedy about materialism and the nature of identity and existence
Sophie Barthes, “Cold Souls” (2009) In the vein of Charlie Kaufman’s “Being John Malkovich” but
Tag: Fantasy
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
The Embrace of the Serpent: a film condemning European colonialism and its effects also carries a message of reconciliation and hope
Ciro Guerra, “The Embrace of the Serpent / El Abrazo de la Serpiente” (2015) Filmed
Italian and Italian-language Films
Allegro Non Troppo: a suite of animation shorts of breath-taking imagination and originality, and much food for thought
Bruno Bozzetto, “Allegro Non Troppo” (1976) A spoof of and tribute to Walt Disney’s famous
Pony: a dark little story about the loss of innocence in a banal setting
Dony Permedi, “Pony” (2006) “Pony” is a short animated film made by Permedi as an
Spirited Away: a lavish film representing the peak of Studio Ghibli’s creativity and the start of its decline
Hayao Miyazaki, “Spirited Away” (2001) In many ways, “Spirited Away” represents the peak of Studio
Italian and Italian-language Films
The Hawks and the Sparrows: a rambling road movie enquiry into the social and political conflicts of Italian society in the 1960s
Pier Paolo Pasolini, “The Hawks and the Sparrows / Uccellacci e Uccellini” (1966) A bit
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)
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
The Handmaid’s Tale: a film affected by its own demonstration of how repressive societies suck the life out of whatever they touch
Volker Schlöndorff, “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1990) Based on the dystopian novel by Canadian writer Margaret