Chinese and Chinese-language Films
The Goddess: a social realist film with natural and minimal acting, and a young rising star
Wu Yonggang, “The Goddess / Shen nu” (1935) A year after this film was made,
Tag: Revenge Films
French and French-language Films
Diary of a Chambermaid: a bleak and realist comedy offering
Luis Bunuel, “Diary of a Chambermaid” (1964) Of the Spanish director’s late-autumn career in which
Kuroneko: an ordinary ghost horror story saved by expressionist cinematography and social commentary
Kaneto Shindo, “Kuroneko” (1968) A companion piece to his earlier classic “Onibaba”, Shindo’s “Kuroneko” explores
The Teacher: classroom and parents’ meeting as microcosm of political corruption and social stagnation
Jan Hrebejk, “The Teacher / Ucitel’ka” (2016) Billed as a comedy drama, Hrebejk’s “The Teacher”
Blade of the Immortal: one wearying bloodbath after another in a film on obsessive vengeance, duty and the hell of immortality
Takashi Miike, “Blade of the Immortal” (2017) Condensed from 30 volumes of manga into a
Murder on the Orient Express (dir. Kenneth Branagh): a lavish and brisk remake turns out to be an ego trip
Kenneth Branagh, “Murder on the Orient Express ” (2017) At least superficially this film is
French and French-language Films
Les Biches: a coolly elegant and stylish film on obsessive love, the fragility of identity and class tensions
Claude Chabrol, “Les Biches / The Does” (1968) A beautifully elegant film of stylishness and
Zatoichi: a colourful package of comedy, violence and drama masks an unoriginal plot and characters not always worthy of sympathy
Takeshi Kitano, “Zatoichi” (2003) Based in part on the television and film series revolving around
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
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