Time of the Gypsies is without question a gem. Kusturica has used a coming of age story to explore a minority group, the gypsies, and allowed us take a look into their world. From what starts as a comedy and ends as a tragedy, Kusturica keeps us at all times on our toes. You simply do not know what to expect, yet he keeps us wanting to know how will things end for Perhan. Because of the genre of magical realism, I expected to be somewhat disconnected from the movie. However, I was wrong. Kusturica simply adds to the authenticity of the story through his many layers in the film that make it all very real. I love this film. It will make you laugh, think, and you wont know what to expect.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Come and See
(1985)
Best War Film Ever Made
17 December 2011
Come and See is what I would like to describe as a complete cinematic experience. Klimov has made a movie where every one of your senses is incorporated. You literally feel as if you are the character of Floyra. This film has you experience the true shock and horror through Floyra as he discovers the reality of war. And in the moments where you tell yourself that this is just a movie, in an attempt to make yourself feel more comfortable about what you are seeing, Klimov has a way of reminding you that this is real. For Klimov, as someone who lived through the war himself, this was a movie that he needed to make. I believe that any film maker that is so passionate about a film being made, along with Klimov's unbelievable talent as a film maker, makes this film even more outstanding.
The Phantom of Liberty
(1974)
Seeing things differently
16 December 2011
Here is a film where I can understand that those who love Surrealism will see this as a masterpiece. However, although I find The Phantom of Liberty to be funny, I could simply not watch this over and over again. This isn't to say it is a bad film. However, it is like an absurd piece of art that you will either love or hate. I can only appreciate it for the fact that it did make me stop and think about the socially constructed world we live in. When something has the ability to question why is it we do things a certain way, credit must be given. The problem I have with this is that Bunuel appears to have made a movie where his social satire carries throughout a movie with no real purpose. This for me makes it a little tedious to sit through.
The Other Conquest
(1998)
We need more of this
16 December 2011
The Other Conquest is the ultimate example of why we need to make movies. Firstly, as a Historian I must point out that the subject matter is absolutely something that was necessary to explore. The Other Conquest is not afraid to illustrate the Spanish Conquest from the point of view of the Aztecs. It is a highly controversial subject and rarely discussed in depth. This means that there is an overwhelming sense of honesty within the movie that is so beautiful depicted. With every scene there is perfection, from the cinematography to the acting. Carrasco has truly created a work of art that touches your core through Topiltzin's story. It is with this combination of excellent film making and willingness to explore the unspoken that explains the importance of cinema. This is more than just entertainment. We simply need to make more films like this.
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