頤和園 Yihe yuan (Summer Palace)

Lou Ye's films have eluded me but finally I was able to watch this 2006 Cannes in competition film and I was not prepared for what I watched at all. I really love what I call non-commercial Chinese cinema especially from those directors in the so-called The Fifth Generation (like Zhang Yimou, for example) and The Sixth Generation (like Jia Zhangke) that I believe have a peculiar and particular style in their films. But if one director blows completely my mind is Wong Kar-wai with his unique style to tell so-called moody romance stories; well, that's it until I saw this movie.

According to what I read, Lou Ye belongs to The Six Generation and yes I can see the impressive realistic style in this movie as more than once gives the impression of watching cinéma vérité but this movie has something else that I have seen not before in Chinese movies much less in the work of The Six Generation directors I have seen. First there is a clear drama with an intense-love story that abounds elsewhere but not among Chinese filmmakers; so intense, both in story as in visuals, that film seems to me like a fusion of European (more French) style with Chinese style and believe me, the end result is amazing if you love both styles. Second, love/sex scenes are so visually explicit and raw that definitively I have not seen anything similar in "good" Chinese cinema, not even in the explicit sex scenes of Ang Lee's Lust, Caution. Third, movie story mixes fiction and reality creating an illusion that perhaps talks more about "truth" that if director decided to portrait only "truth" (which obviously was impossible as he/film would be banned). I could go on, but these three aspects are the basic ones to give you an idea of what you will seen in film.

Films tells an epic story that spans to several cities and over a decade but basic plot rotates around Yu Hong (Hao Lei) a young woman from Tumen, who is accepted to a fictional university in Beijing. There she meets Li Ti (Hu Lingling) and become close friends. Li Ti introduces Zhou Wei (Guo Xiadong) to Yu Hong and her life is changed forever as Zhou Wei becomes her obsessive love and obsession is mutual. But they have a volatile love affair, probably as volatile as the political forces that are moving towards Tiananmen Square. This story happens in what I call the first movie as storytelling style is very different to what follows in the second movie.

Second movie starts after the Tiananmen Square with the three main characters parting ways as Yu Hong returns to Tumen while Li Ti and Zhou Wei emigrate to Germany. Won't tell you more details of what happens but in the end complete story for me is about how unprepared where the Chinese to live in the "new" Chinese society, more specific, how unprepared were to live in (so-called) "freedom". Very interesting story told, again, mixing fiction and fact.

I was absolutely mesmerized by first movie as I think I was in shock of watching the "perfect" mélange of European/Chinese visual and narrative styles and yes I had my "what is this" moment as how could I imagine what I was seeing with no previous reference? Soon enough I got involved, forgot about thinking and started to only enjoy the fantastic ride. Second movie came a bit as a downer as wonderful style becomes more arid, dry, has more light but there are lots of foggy/hazy/greyish scenes. Obviously the second movie style was used to complement the story narrative that also is a lot more arid, dry, grey than first part. Fantastic.

For occidental standards is a long movie as has 140 minutes, I'm used to see "long" movies but not often I can spend that amount of time in awe with my mouth open unable to stop watching for a second, unable to move. That's how much I was affected by this movie that I enjoyed beyond my wildest expectations, but then I had no expectations at all, so perhaps that's why I got the intense reaction.

I strongly recommend this movie (if you haven't seen it yet) as definitively is a must be seen for those that enjoy European, mainly French, cinema as well as excellent Chinese cinema. Not surprisingly share that I have to see "everything" by Lou Ye to understand more how he evolved his amazing storytelling style up to this 2006 film and how he continue evolving with his subsequent movies.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Il Richiamo (The Call)

A small movie with a small story that absolute grows exponentially in front of you, fast quite fast thanks to the most wonderful camera that produces awesome Buenos Aires and Patagonia beauty shots, very good tech specs, good performances and a hand that merges all together so well that's not easy to believe that this is the second film by Stefano Pasetto. Beautiful movie, very beautiful movie.

Film tells the story of two very different women, Lea (Francesca Inaudi) and Lucia (Sandra Ceccarelli), the first wanting to live her life to the fullest the other living a suffocating tedious life, how they meet and how they go to one of the most beautiful places in the world, La Patagonia. Their story is a love/attraction tale that is underdeveloped as such, as to me is the excuse to explore momentaneous freedom away from urban responsibilities. So even do has all the elements to make it attractive to those that enjoy the lesbian interest genre, I'm afraid is not at all the usual movie in the genre as not only transcends the two-women story but also the storytelling style will not please many.

But that's exactly what makes this movie great as the narrative and visual storytelling style is truly compelling, engaging and remarkable, making the experience a very interesting cinematic one when you enjoy films that are more visual than dialogue or situation oriented. But let me remark that film has a very coherent visual narrative, so good that probably if you turn off sound you will be able to tell what movie is all about.

Confess that was a surprise as decided to watch because the lesbian interest label, but definitively in difference to the previous reviews, this movie belongs to genre but absolutely transcends it so much that I'm sure many will not enjoy it as also doesn't have a positive ending. So, if you watch for the same reason as me, be aware that story might disappoint you, but maybe, maybe you will enjoy this great movie.

Strongly recommend this movie to those that enjoy European movies as even if is an Argentinean co production, film looks and feels more Italian/European than Latin American cinema. Yes I enjoyed movie a lot and this is the kind of movie that I can watch twice or more and still enjoy what I see.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Le Chant des Mariées (The Wedding Song)

A very beautiful to watch film with an interesting story in a context full of ideological, religion, social and sexual conflicts, done with slow pace and awesome visual poetry that will stimulate all your senses beyond whatever you imagined about film.

Karin Albou's sophomore feature is filmed with subtle eroticism and dreamy intimacy to show the amazing tale of an intimate bond between two 16-year-old girls, Nour, Muslim and Myriam, Jewish, set in Nazi-occupied Tunisia in 1942. Nour eagerly anticipates her wedding to a cousin while Myriam furiously resists the engagement to a much older doctor, a marriage of convenience. With this context story evolves with situations that tend to separate the two girls, but their love prevails among everything that happens.

I know this is not a clearly lesbian interest story as Nour and Myriam have a strong love-friendship, BUT film in more than one occasion transpires an attraction between both characters that makes movie must be seen for all that like the genre. Then you have an end that you can close with whatever you wish to imagine and no need to guess what I imagine as after men left her lives, there is only one thing they can do.

It's a beautiful movie done with very high production values, telling an interesting war set story that could touch you with the little-known Tunisian Nazi-occupation history; but please do not expect a regular movie as film has a French storytelling style where what is not said perhaps is more important than what is said. So expect silences where face and body expressions tell all, slow pace, beautiful compositions, great framing, a palette that plays with greys and blues, and some truly amazing poetry.

Since almost the beginning movie mesmerized me with the visuals and story slowly got me inside, but once inside I couldn't leave, not even after movie ended as my mind went on and on with everything I saw. I highly recommend movie and hope you have a great cinema experience as the one I had.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

The Perfect Family

I think the key word to describe Anne Renton debut feature film is Comedy as this film above all is that, a comedy. I laughed a little as is almost impossible not to laugh at all the silliness movie has and please remember that I don't like comedies, I don't like American humor and is very hard for me to laugh -only dark, very dark, humor makes me laugh. So even when I don't really know -or don't want to know- why I laugh with this comedy, I did. Surprise.

My biggest surprise was to discover how controversial this movie is around the net as I wasn't expecting that at all. But then, when thinking more deeply, controversy is understandable as movie story deals with Catholicism and everything that religion doesn't accept or more clearly, condemns. Divorce, adultery, homosexuality, same sex marriage, child out of wedlock, abortion, and alcoholism are some of the themes that pop out from story; but the funny thing is that all pops out after I think a lot, not while watching this movie where I somehow liked the lightness and the non-preaching style used to tell a story told so many times before.

Film tells the story of one very religious mom that is competing for a Church award that could bring the ultimate prize: absolute absolution from your sins. And she needs that kind of absolution as even when she has behaved exemplary, as many, she has hidden sins. So story starts when she's told about the nomination to Woman of the Year thanks to all she has done for the Church in her community and her perfect family. But her family is far from perfect as his son left his family and is seeing an older woman, her daughter lives with another woman, is about to get married and is pregnant; and her husband a recuperated alcoholic is getting tired of living a life of lies. She is unable to accept anything, she's in denial, tries to meddle in their family affairs and in the end the very predictable story is all about accepting everything. Yes, story is worth of Lifetime channel and so it is movie as a movie.

But somehow movie is more watchable than many other movies with similar themes and style, which was highly surprising for me. Movie has a lesbian interest secondary story that I find quite enjoyable as I found it to be quite playful with something else that will share. The daughter, Shannon is played by Emily Deschanel -better known as Bones for many-, her partner who becomes her spouse is Angela (Angelique Cabral), and in another story Bones and Angela love each other too, in a different way, that many will like to see evolve like it does here. So funny even if is coincidental, or perhaps is not.

Anyway movie is not a masterpiece in any sense but is good enough to have a fun entertainment moment if you just enjoy the ride in the predictable story and forget about all the controversial message that many see, even when unfortunately most is a portrait of reality for many all over the world. Sigh.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Snow White and the Huntsman

Not much to say about Rupert Sanders debut except that special effects are fantastic but he definitively has to improve his directorial skills as I found his story telling style dull when story had so much potential to be an action oriented film with a bit of drama, romance and perhaps even some mystery. But definitively there is nothing of the above, just a very noisy action that makes your seat shake and your ears explode.

As some of you know I have been following Kristen Stewart career well before she became a celebrity and have enjoyed her not-blockbuster movies as well as the Twilight saga. But I'm still objective and have to admit that in this movie in the hands of an inexperienced director she tends to be not good and seems like she's lost with no clear direction. Unfortunately the same happens with Charlize Theron and all the other great British actors that populate the movie.

But then movie is a blockbuster that has collected lots of money around the world, a movie that definitively is targeted to teenagers who will watch once and a few times again. So for whatever is worth, is not bad as an escape moment but not much else.

A second installment is in the works, be assured that this time I'll wait for the Blu Ray so I can lower the volume when the noisy action gets almost unbearable to sustain. Don't get me wrong I have an eclectic taste for movies and as a reference check what I say about Hunger Games, which yes I enjoyed beyond my expectations. Unfortunately this franchise is no Hunger Games at all.

Haven't watch it yet? Strongly suggest you wait to watch it in the comfort of your home.

Enjoy. (Just for the great special effects)

Watch trailer @MOC (Trailers are a lot better than what movie actually is)

Elles

A film promoted to be about student prostitution that ends up being an examination of society, loneliness, and sexuality. Which is absolutely fabulous as movie turns out to be all about Anne and Anne is none other than Juliette Binoche. It's been a while since I see Binoche in such an intense role, a role that allows her to showcase her immense greatness as an actress.

There are few scenes that are stuck in my mind and know that will replay them often as her face says so much that's unbelievable how Binoche can deliver so well emotions with subtle eyes and mouth movements. This is her movie and well, is not the regular kind of movie she has been doing lately.

Film tells about Anne, a journalist for Elle, that his latest assignment is about student prostitution. But Anne works at home and I have the impression that most of the movie happens in or nearby the kitchen. Film is not sequential and the only way I could follow what was going on is noticing the costumes; but there are three basic storylines, one is the park interview with Charlotte (Anaïs Demoustier), another is the living room interview with Alicja (Joanna Kulig) and the third is what happens to Anne after those interviews. Charlotte and Alicja answer Anna's questions and most are recreated, so in between you will see quite graphic sex. If you ask me the recreations are done to show what Anne was thinking while trying to work on the article, as that's exactly how the movie starts. Won't say more as you have to watch movie to see what happens to Anne.

As a film is good but editing, even do I know was used to show how Anne compares her world and life with that of the girls, was on the too-much side. Sometimes scissors are better in the kitchen than in the editing room and this one is one of those occasions. But tech specs are impeccable with some great compositions that showcase Juliette Binoche splendidly. So Malgorzata Szumowska has composed an interesting film if you enjoy what I'm going to call a very French story/film in the hands of a developing Polish director; a film that shows her talent and tells about a possible bright future. Film was screened at the 2012 Berlinale in the Panorama Special section and Anaïs Demoustier collected the 2012 Etoile d'Or for the Best Female Newcomer, an award given by the Presse du Cinéma Français.

This is not a lesbian interest movie but then maybe, as the living room interview is one of the most incredibly hot scenes that I have seen lately but unfortunately when something surely happens camera goes blur and all is left to your imagination; but you get some clues, like when Anne is in the kitchen cleaning the coquilles, that will allow you to pinpoint whatever you imagined. So I'll give the label, but be aware that there is a lot of graphic sex between the young women and their customers.

No need to tell you how much I enjoyed film, mainly because has an incredible performance by Juliette Binoche in an intense role and if you have to see everything with Binoche -like me- then this movie is absolutely must be seen for you. Nevertheless I know that many will not like the film that unfortunately was sensationalized by absurd marketing that promotes story as student prostitution when film has not much to do with it.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

17 Filles (17 Girls)

Coulin sisters debut movie has great visuals and is full of light but the story it tells I'm sure that generates quite different reactions; reactions that will be propelled by individuals beliefs and culture as one of society most conflicting issues is teen pregnancy and this film story is inspired by the 2008 American incident where 18 girls from the same high school got pregnant.

In my opinion what this film shows and the real-life incident have only one thing in common, a collective teenagers pregnancy and nothing else. Had to comment on all of the above as after reading reviews in English I got impressed on how much you can project your culture when writing about movie story, just browse the net and be prepared to read strong negative comments about the story and consequently the movie. I'm going to break my golden rule and will share what I saw in movie which probably will have spoilers; so if you don't like spoilers please stop reading.

On the surface movie tells about one girl that gets pregnant, influences her close circle of friends to also become pregnant and the effect extends to other school mates to end up having 17 pregnant girls. This story is not pleasant to watch as girls are brilliant and beautiful, but no matter how you analyze their behavior -getting pregnant- there is no positive outcome.

But this story, also written Delphine and Muriel Coulin, explores their motives -above the obvious peer pressure- and is in this exploration where you get the unsettling message that speaks about young girls dreaming about their own world far away from the adults world. Coulin sisters decided to transport the American story to a small town near the sea in the orient of France where population are mostly middle-to-lower class who in all of Europe are the ones that have been hit the most by recession. In these girls dreams, their future is not bright as they probably will have it even harder that the already hard life their parents -the adults- have; so they recur to dream a fantasy where each will have their child but after all together will help each other. To me dream was like life in a commune. Maybe if they were far from adults their lives could be better. When the fantasy is over , detonated by one of the girls having an accident, the others have their children and they had to face reality. Film ends.

This is the second movie I watch recently that touches the unsettling future that youth has. Not easy to digest and less easy to accept; but our world moves in circles and this dark perspective was also present in the past, so let's hope that eventually there will be a solution and the circle will open again.

Returning to movie, this is what directors' say related to their exploration.

"Nos filles ont pris conscience que la vie des adultes, dans leur petite ville, n’est pas très enviable, mais elles ne voient pas ce qui pourrait leur donner une existence trépidante. (...) Elles ont des rêves communs, et hors du commun : elles construisent une utopie. Ces filles idéalistes, que rien n’arrête, décident de se lancer dans une grande aventure, envers et contre tout."

Story no matter if you only see the surface or both is not easy to watch, but the Coulins sisters dressed the movie with beautiful actresses, some well-known and most non-actors, good performances, nice almost infantile (against teen) situations, some beautiful sights full of light and opted to tell story without emotions, as even when there was drama -like the accident or the angry father- you are a spectator, you are detached, you are not inside the story and you will never be. To me the style is remarkable and quite effective for telling disturbing stories.

This is another very French brainy movie that definitively is not for all audiences but for those that do not mind to think while or after watching a movie, as otherwise you'll only see a not pleasant to watch story. Film was screened at the 2011 Cannes fest in the Semaine de la Critique parallel section and collected some honors in French fests.

While watching there was one sentence in my mind: beautiful smart stupid girls. Yes I reacted to the evident story and was not until movie was almost over when I got what this movie was all about. I enjoyed the experience and yes, I do recommend watching film with a very open mind.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @MOC