Indie and "foreign" movies

[lukeiamyourdad]

Hello everyone. Yes, for those who know me, I'm still alive and breathing. I've been gone for many months.

 

Forget about that though.

 

Many of my friends got out of college with a degree in cinema. After checking out their movies, I realized the talent many of them have.

 

Also, thanks to the great ARTV channel here in Québec, I have the chance to watch many indie movies as well as many "foreign" movie that I think are simply amazing.

 

So what's my point? Since I've taken a liking for all these beautiful works of art, I thought I could share with you folks many discoveries I've made. If you know great unknown movies, you are most welcomed to share them.

 

I'll just post a few for now.

 

 

Kebab Connection (2005 Germany)

 

Kebab Connection tells the story of a struggling Turkish director, Ibrahim "Ibo" Secmez, who wants to make the first German kung fu movie. However, he impregnates his German girlfriend, Titzi, a struggling actress, and has doubts about fatherhood, which makes her sending poor Ibo away. Worse, his father disowns him for getting a German girl pregnant. Although it sounds quite depressing, this is actually a very light hearted comedy written in part by Fatih Akin, a very talented turko-german filmmaker. The ending comes too quickly, but the movie is otherwise a real threat with great moments involving Bruce Lee, Ibo's idol.

 

 

Gegen die Wand "Head on" (2004 Germany)

 

Keeping the same theme, Turks in Germany, I know go to a very different genre. Gegen die Wand, directed by Fatih Akin (see a pattern), is about a widower, Cahit, who lost the desire to live. He survives a car crash and meets Sibel, a young suicidal Turkish woman who wants to be free from the oppressive grasp of her parents and brother. She convinces him to marry her so she can start living her life. Of course, Cahit eventually falls in love with her, but this isn't your standard love story. The movie might be slow paced for many, but it certainly serves it well. It also criticizes the conservative attitude of the Turkish diaspora in Germany (women being controlled by the men in the family) as opposed to Turkey itself where women are actually better treated. This is a hard movie, with quite a bit of violence, graphic sex scenes as well as drug use and alcohol abuse. Not for kids, but a really powerful movie. The actors give very solid performances, especially Sibel Kekilli, who plays errr...Sibel. Considering she's actually a porn actress, well, I got nothing more to say. The film got a great reception at the Berlin Film Festival, winning the Golden Bear.

 

 

Irréversible (2002 France)

 

Staying in the EU, but keeping the same depressing atmosphere. Director Gaspard Noe really gives up one of the most nauseating and touching movie at the same time. The movie stars Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci and Albert Dupontel as a trio of friends and lovers who go through a horrific night. Those who have seen Memento will be familiar with the way the story of Irréversible is presented. You get the ending first and the movie moves backward in time. I'm not really revealing any punches by telling you the ending. Marcus (Cassel) and his friend Pierre (Dupontel) are out looking for vengeance against the man who brutally raped Alex (Bellucci), Marcus' girlfriend and Pierre's ex. The beginning of the movie is truly nauseating, the camera spins around almost randomly, making you wonder if you've just taken some drug. The sound does not help. Past that, you find Bellucci in one of her most courageous performances in a rape scene that does not end. It's the most violent moment I've ever seen in a fictional movie. And I've seen a lot of violence. Yet, beyond the first part, you're treated to a wonderful and touching story about friendship and love, which makes the ending (beginning) even more powerful. For those wondering why there's a naked man at the beginning of the movie, it's actually a cameo from a character from another of Noe's movies "Seul contre tous". "IRRÉVERSIBLE" IS A VERY VIOLENT MOVIE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Yet, I loved this movie.

 

PS: No debate about depiction of rape in movies. Please. I'm serious. The movie really doesn't glorify it and I don't think I've ever felt that uneasy with a work of art. However, it's worth a watch. Kids who think rape is cool will think otherwise after this. Or so I foolishly hope.

 

 

Finally, I direct you to a website created by a good friend of mine and aspiring filmmaker, Mario Ramos.

 

http://www.marioramos.ca/

 

I know it sounds like promotion, but really, his films are quite good so check them out. The site is in French but the movies are either in French with English subtitles or English with French subtitles.

[Achilles]

Irréversible (2002 France)

This is the only one from your list that I've heard of.

 

I'm very excited about There Will Be Blood. I don't think I've ever been disappointed with anything that Anderson has done, and Day-Lewis looks like he's gonna blow the roof off of this film based on what I saw in the trailer.

 

Also, Aronofsky has recently released an mp3 format director's commentary for The Fountain (link). Part of me really wants to watch/listen. Part of me is afraid of ruining the experience of that film.

[Jae Onasi]

It's a bit older, but I enjoyed the movie Danton very much. I loved how Depardieu portrayed him.

[Sabretooth]

While I wouldn't watch them everyday, I do enjoy indie and "foreign" movies quite a bit. I loved this Chinese movie called "Not One Less". It was made by BBC, based on a true story and every character in the movie was portrayed by the actual person. It was a really beautiful film, and thankfully had no kung-fu action despite being from China. Its premise follows a young village girl who must find a little boy lost in a city.

 

Then there was this movie called Zozo (I think?) about a Lebanese refugee who makes his way to his grandparents' in Sweden. It was a well-made movie, I think, but sort of weird - like most of those art-ish films are.

[lukeiamyourdad]

Going to add more hehe. More culture for everyone

 

 

Le Hussard sur le toit (Horseman on the Roof, 1995 France):

 

Translation is a bit weird. Hussar is the English word for Hussard, which has the exact same meaning. Why "Horseman" instead, I'll never know. It almost feels like they take Anglo-Saxons for idiots. Anyway, that's not important.

 

This movie was actually a huge success in France. It stars the talented and beautiful Juliette Binoche as Pauline de Théus, a young woman looking for her husband in a time of war and disease (in this case a cholera epidemic). She accidentally stumbles on an Italian officer, Angelo Pardi (played by the very hot Olivier Martinez, known to America for his role in the Dr. Pepper commercial, S.W.A.T.) hunted by the Austrian police. The two of them will live through a series of misadventures while looking for Pauline's husband. Great acting, great setting (Provence, really beautiful place) as well as a great adventure. The chemistry between Martinez and Binoche is perfect (they actually became a couple after this, lucky bastard). Very fun movie.

 

 

Lola rennt (Germany 1998)

 

If you do not know this movie, you were either too young or living in a hole back in 1998. Franka Potente (The Bourne Identity) stars as Lola, a strange redheaded girl who needs to find 100 000 Deutsche marks for her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) or else a gang of thugs are going to have his skin. The viewer is presented 3 scenarios in which Lola finds the money. I can't explain more since this is a movie that cannot be described. This is a lot of fun with a nice dark humor.

[Achilles]

Lola rennt (Germany 1998)

 

If you do not know this movie, you were either too young or living in a hole back in 1998. Franka Potente (The Bourne Identity) stars as Lola, a strange redheaded girl who needs to find 100 000 Deutsche marks for her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) or else a gang of thugs are going to have his skin. The viewer is presented 3 scenarios in which Lola finds the money. I can't explain more since this is a movie that cannot be described. This is a lot of fun with a nice dark humor.

Some of us philistines might recognize this film as "Run, Lola, Run"

It's one of the movies in my "own it, but haven't watched it yet" collection.

 

Have you had a chance to see Motorcycle Diaries yet? For those that haven't Gael Garcia Bernal (Babel, The Science of Sleep, and many other wonderful latin american movies) plays a very young Che Guevara on a pilgrimage across South America. Based upon his actual diary, this movie actually has some pretty powerful messages regarding materialism (in the economic sense) and integrity.

 

Another one that might be a good intro to foreign films for those that don't usually watch them is City of God. I don't want to give too much away but it's a story of a group of kids that grow up in one of Brazil's toughest slums. One becomes a ruthless drug lord and another a journalist. Sounds pretty typical until you find out that it's based on a true story and shot using a lot of amateur actors. FWIW, Time called it one of the 100 best films of all time and E! ranked it third in their list of movies to see before you die.

[lukeiamyourdad]

Oh yeah, should have given the translation. Oh well

 

I've heard of both, Motorcycles Diaries never interested me really, but I might see it someday. City of God is something I must see. Everyone keeps talking to me about it hehe.

[Achilles]

Motorcycles Diaries never interested me really, but I might see it someday.

Check it out. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

I saw this today and thought you might find it interesting:

The Ray Memorial 100 (a "top 100 foreign films" list)

 

City of God came in at 26. Run, Lola, Run was 95

Amelie (one of my favorite French films) came in all the way back at 92, but at least it made the list.

 

I have several of the titles listed here, but unfortunately I have yet to watch them all. I love foreign film, but I have to be in a certain mood in order to sit down and "read" a movie.

 

On a more "indie" bent, have you seen Brick? It was one of my favs of 2005. Also, Lost in Translation?

[Negative Sun]

Lola rennt (Germany 1998)

 

If you do not know this movie, you were either too young or living in a hole back in 1998. Franka Potente (The Bourne Identity) stars as Lola, a strange redheaded girl who needs to find 100 000 Deutsche marks for her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) or else a gang of thugs are going to have his skin. The viewer is presented 3 scenarios in which Lola finds the money. I can't explain more since this is a movie that cannot be described. This is a lot of fun with a nice dark humor.

Very good movie, had to watch it for my German class in High School, but I still enjoyed it...Somehow I don't think the Germans will ever get over the WW stigma though, it's a shame really.

 

Here's a couple I've seen that were remarkable:

* La Haine (Literally: "The Hatred"), is about the situation in the French "banlieus" (Paris' in this movie) and the confrontation between youth (mostly of Arab or Northern African origins) without a future and a country with no answers...Sadly, the situation remains the same in France and Belgium to this day.

* Le Huitieme Jour ("The Eighth Day"), is a very enjoyable drama about a young man, Georges, with Down Syndrome, who meets Harry, a busy business-type guy and wants to be his friend. It's a bit cliche here and there, but a very nice effort nonetheless (It's a tearjerker though )

* Iedereen Beroemd ("Everybody's Famous"), is by far the best (and my favorite) Belgian movie. It's about a father's love for his daughter and the lengths he is willing to go through to make her a star. Very funny but also gripping at points, it has been compared to Ken Loach's amazing work as well.

 

I shall also mention these Chinese movies, but you should all know these anyways:

* Hero

* House of Flying Daggers

* Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

 

Edit: Oh and WB lukeiamyourdad

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Lola Rennt was a great film. Watched it in German class last year.

 

Also, started to watch Motorcycle Diaries in the same German class, but didn't finish it. The reason why we watched it was because we were gonna watch some other German movie, but the movie didn't work.

[Ctrl Alt Del]

Irréversible (2002 France)

 

I was impressed by this one, it gave that feeling of discomfort with the camera swirling around dark scenarios and some very loud and strange noises around. It's also, as you said, so violent, like when Marcus hits that man with fire extinguisher and his face... Well, don't look like a face at all after. Said that, and even aware that this movie is a cult, I didn't actually found the movie "all that". Of course, the friends got a deep bound and there's the love that somehow coexist with all that blood being spilled.

 

I would say it's more than worth watching, as a mean of expanding your culture, but don't try find a meaning behind that.

[lukeiamyourdad]

Check it out. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

I saw this today and thought you might find it interesting:

The Ray Memorial 100 (a "top 100 foreign films" list)

 

Thanks Really nice list and The Seven Samurai, the best thing Japan ever made () came second. By the way, if someone has never seen The Seven Samurai, you must do it. Quickly. It may seem slow to some or a bit long but it's worth your time (about 3 hours, which still isn't as close as the Return of the King extended edition, but with all due respect to Peter Jackson, Akira Kurosawa is a better director).

 

Amelie (one of my favorite French films) came in all the way back at 92, but at least it made the list.

 

To be honest, I wasn't sold the first time I saw this movie. It kind of grew on me really.

 

I have several of the titles listed here, but unfortunately I have yet to watch them all. I love foreign film, but I have to be in a certain mood in order to sit down and "read" a movie.

 

Very interesting detail about reading a movie. I take it the same way (I think). These movies are more like books in many aspects and I keep feeling like I'm reading a book. Speaking of reading a book...

 

L'Anglaise et le duc (France 2001)

 

An oddly controversial movie for the French, it's also controversial in its form. Grace Elliot, an English noblewoman is stuck in France during the Revolution. The story is her take on the events that are currently happening around her. It has very nice special effects, blending the actors into beautiful paintings. However, it's very slow paced movie with virtually no action whatsoever. It's all about what the characters say to each other. More like a play or reading a book. It was controversial in France because it's a very Royalist movie, one of the few that depict the French Revolution in a bad light. Then again, people miss the point that it's from a English noblewoman's point of view, the movie based on the writings of the actual Grace Elliot. Good movie if you take it for what it is.

 

 

On a more "indie" bent, have you seen Brick? It was one of my favs of 2005. Also, Lost in Translation?

 

Just checked Brick on imdb.com. I actually never heard about it. I have to see Lost in Translation too, for some reason, I keep missing it or something. Argh so many good movies to watch, so little time.

 

 

 

I haven't posted a good Canadian movie either so I think I should do that now.

 

Exotica (Canada 1994)

 

A movie by the amazing Atom Egoyan, Exotica is the name of a nightclub in the outskirts of Toronto where Eric (Elias Koteas, Casey Jones in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies), DJ and MC, watches his ex-girlfriend, Christina (Mia Kirshner, The L Word) dance every night. Eric becomes concerned by the attention she gives to a regular customer, Francis (Bruce Greenwood). In the meantime, a subplot involving Thomas (Don McKellar), the owner of a pet shop unfolds. All of these people have a link to each other, with the story revolving around the Exotica club. This is a movie where you don't know why everything is happening until the very last scene. It doesn't last long, but with a few images, it explains absolutely everything. Excellent soundtrack too, featuring the song "Everybody Knows" by the greatest Jew to have been in Montreal, Leonard Cohen. Yes, go check out Leonard Cohen and bask in his genius. And watch Exotica.

 

* Le Huitieme Jour ("The Eighth Day"), is a very enjoyable drama about a young man, Georges, with Down Syndrome, who meets Harry, a busy business-type guy and wants to be his friend. It's a bit cliche here and there, but a very nice effort nonetheless (It's a tearjerker though )

 

I know I've seen this movie, I just can't place it in my mind...I know it!