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Reviews
Le fantôme de la liberté (1974)
One of the genius Surrealist films of all time.
The Phantom of Liberty is a genius Surrealist film that uncovers deeper truths seeded in society. This movie questions what freedom is and if we truly had it, what would we do with it? This film takes shots a normal conventions of society that we ourselves have never questioned. In a genius fashion he takes shots at court systems, police force, and doctors. This movies message is simple, it questions our society and how we make up ourselves day in and day out. Our conventions of privacy, dinner, and sexual innuendos are all put to the test in this film. Bunuel is a genius in his craft and in this film he makes no exception. This film even made me question what I do everyday. The things I submit to everyday and I realize I am not truly free. As to what I would do with true freedom though, I do not know. The Surrealist approach of this film made the message subtle and very clear for anyone to understand. A real triumph by Luis Bunuel.
Dom za vesanje (1988)
Incredible coming of age story
Time of the Gypsies is an extremely heartfelt coming of age story. The subject matter of the gypsies is a tough one to work with. Kusturica brilliantly humanized their culture without glorifying them. We see a different side of this culture that most have never seen. The movie many different tones that keep the viewer engaged with the story. With great humor mixed with heartfelt depression this movie keeps the viewer guessing at this unpredictable film. A beautiful love story at the core of the film keeps me at the edge of my seat. This film had an important message that comes through an unlikely group of people. That no matter who you are people are riddled with real problems in life. This film made me feel all the hardships that Perhan the main character had to go through. He goes through so much and fights through adversity to the bitter end. Another fascinating thing about this movie is the subtlety of the scenes of magical realism. The scenes contradict physical reality but they are not questioned because the subtlety of how they are filmed. A genius piece by Kusturica.
Idi i smotri (1985)
One of the most powerful war films ever.
Come and See is one of the most powerful war films of all time. Between the cinematography and sound design this movie takes you for an unrelenting journey and doesn't let go. The main character is thrust into war for the Russians where he quickly learns the destruction and real horror of war. The beauty of this film is in its completely realistic approach. You lose grasp of you're reality and plunge yourself into this film. Once the chaos begins in this film it never lets you go. The viewer is put into a hypnosis or dream and there is no way out. To me this movie is one of the most powerful war films because of it's message. It doesn't glorify war at all. It brings war down to it's grittiest and most gruesome it could ever be. This movie made me feel the pain of these people engaged in this war. It made me feel anger that people brought this type of horror and destruction to humanity. I was engaged with every feeling the lead character went through. All in all it was an amazing experience. My favorite war film of all time.
La otra conquista (1998)
A very powerful cultural film.
This film is a fantastic new look at a story between two cultures crashing into each other. The Spanish taking over Aztec lands and the destruction of their culture. A look at an individual who will do everything to survive and preserve his culture. The main character Topiltzin witnesses all the horror forced on his culture and manages to survive among them and in the end dies preserving his culture by taking something from the other culture. This movie was showing a beautiful example of resistance and fighting for you're culture. Although I can not relate to these people I still can't help to have the utmost respect for this culture and what they went through. This was an interesting movie that looked at the other side of this conflict humanizing them in a way I've never seen. We see deep involved characters on both sides of the spectrum understanding both motivations. I was angry most of the film understanding what Topiltzin went through. All an all a terrific film I will never forget. A must see.
Los olvidados (1950)
Los Olvidados
This film shocked me pretty severely after watching. I just felt so much for Pedro because he just can't seem to get out. These boys aren't stricken with poverty. That isn't the issue, it's the influences around Pedro that keep him down. His mother wants a son who she can count on to be good and stay out of her way. In all respects to the mother she really didn't have that much affection towards Pedro. This film just shows how there really is no escape for these kids. You either become a criminal and scrape off what you can get or you die basically. The character Jaibo you can see is the perfect example of this. His character is just so dirty and with zero morals. You almost hate him watching but in the end you realize he is just surviving. This film I believe is trying to say that not everything is black and white in this world and that there is no certain good and bad. That all people do bad to survive.
La battaglia di Algeri (1966)
Battle of Algiers
This is a very powerful film that basically is asking how far will you go to fight back against you're oppressor and how will you do it. This film is so powerful because we see the view of both sides. We see the French side of the army taking over these people and we see the Algerians side and them doing whatever they can to survive. Neither of them is good or bad. They both commit horrible acts on each other and never seem to fins a peace until after the story of the film is over. This film just makes you feel for the Algerians so much that you can't help be on their side but they go about their objective the wrong way sometimes. You attain so much respect for them though for fighting back as they do. In the end their whole purpose was to get their whole community to fight back and they finally did. Instead of bombing and killing they come together and march on the French. The film is all about the power of resistance and how far you can take it.
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Once Were Warriors is one of the most powerful movies i've ever watched
Once Were Warriors is one of the most powerful films I've ever watched. It's a great story of how the Maori people claim their identity. We see five separate characters find their identity and how they deal with representing themselves as a Maori people. This film tells the viewer that a culture must come together to find themselves. Each individual fails in their attempt to find who they are but when they come together everything becomes more simple. This is truly attested when Grace dies, the whole family seems to come together. Keeping you're heritage is also an important value in this film and we see that with Boogey. In the end of this film I myself was jealous of the fact that these people have such a strong identity. They have very close ties to their heritage and you just want to slap some of them for not being more intact with it. There culture is very distinct and is very strong to last through all they have been through. This film was a great depiction of a beautiful culture and how it can either be accepted or tossed aside.