Drama

  • Cy Endfield – The Secret (1955)

    1951-1960CrimeCy EndfieldDramaUnited Kingdom

    Plot Synopsis by Sandra Brennan
    In this crime drama, an American loses all his money and finds himself stranded in England. He finds hope when he meets a female smuggler who has brought jewels into the country inside a teddy bear. Just before he talks her into helping him, she is pushed off of a cliff. He becomes the prime suspect and mayhem ensues when he gets the jewels, but then loses them to a gang of thieves. Fortunately, by the story’s end, he proves his innocence, and brings the gang to justice.Read More »

  • Alina Marazzi – Un’ ora sola ti vorrei AKA For One More Hour with You (2002)

    2001-2010Alina MarazziDocumentaryDramaItaly

    Italian documentary filmmaker Alina Marazzi tries to piece together the life of her mother who passed away in 1972 when she was 7 years old. Through a patchwork of home movies, recordings and diary entries, Alina crafts a moving tribute to the universal power of love.Read More »

  • Julien Duvivier – Un carnet de bal AKA Christine AKA Dance Program (1937)

    Julien Duvivier1931-1940ComedyDramaFrance

    A rich widow, nostalgic for the lavish parties of her youth, embarks on a journey to reconnect with the many suitors who once courted her. In doing so, she sets off on a course of discovery, both of herself and of how greatly the world has changed in two decades. Julien Duvivier’s smash hit is a wry, visually inventive tale of romantic pragmatism that deftly combines comedy and drama.Read More »

  • Natalya Vorozhbit – Pohani dorogy AKA Bad Roads (2020)

    2011-2020DramaNatalya VorozhbitUkraine

    Four short stories are set along the roads of Donbass during the war. There are no safe spaces and no one can make sense of just what is going on. Even as they are trapped in the chaos, some manage to wield authority over others. But in this world, where tomorrow may never come, not everyone is defenceless and miserable. Even the most innocent victims may have their turn at taking charge.Read More »

  • Blerta Basholli – Hive (2021)

    2021-2030Blerta BasholliDramaKosovo

    Quote:
    Fahrije’s husband disappeared during the war in Kosovo. Years later, the bees he kept stop producing honey. Forced to find a new source of income, Fahrije gets a driving licence and sets up her own small business to provide for her kids. But her resourcefulness is met with aggressive resistance from the patriarchal village community. Ignoring criticism, Fahrije joins forces with other women in the village to empower each other and gain independence.

    The film was a sweeping success at Sundance, winning the Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.Read More »

  • Joseph Losey – La truite AKA The Trout (1982)

    Joseph Losey1981-1990DramaFrance

    Synopsis: Frédérique leaves her family’s small-town trout farm to embark on an journey taking her to Japan and into the arms of a man. Irritations concerning her actions and present state of feelings begin to fill her mind, forcing her to come to terms with innermost self.Read More »

  • Stefan Uher – Javor a Juliana AKA Maple and Juliana (1973)

    Stefan Uher1971-1980DramaFantasySlovakia

    Based on old slovak ballads, it tells of fiddlers who with their magic violins spread evil and destruction all over the world.

    From Skritek’s film journal:
    A girl is transformed into a maple tree by her impulsive and angry mother. Three poor wandering musicians come by the tree and create instruments from it. Walking around the country instead of happiness they bring death everywhere with their cursed instruments. However they cannot get rid of them, unless they bury the wooden instruments at the place of the tree. The three are anything but harmonious, each taking in their disputes various stances. In the end they are enlisted to go to war, because they hardly survive as unlucky musicians and bring the instruments back. That’s when the story takes an even more tragic turn for all.Read More »

  • Terence Young – Corridor of Mirrors (1948)

    1941-1950DramaMysteryTerence YoungUnited Kingdom

    A man falls in love with a beautiful young woman and begins to suspect that he may have also loved her in a previous life.Read More »

  • Barney Platts-Mills – Bronco Bullfrog (1970)

    1961-1970Barney Platts-MillsDramaUnited Kingdom

    Quote:
    British working-class youth are realistically portrayed in this rare, mod film. A group of delinquent teenagers in London’s East End circa 1969 roam the streets “bored as usual” because “there’s nothing to do ’round here.” A very good ’60s soundtrack by “The Audience,” adds nicely to the atmosphere of black & white photography, mod clothes and haircuts, motorbikes and just hanging around. Del, a 17 year old welder’s apprentice meets Irene, a 15 yr old girl, still at school. Del’s father and Irene’s mother both object to the relationship and want them to stop seeing each other. Del and his mates run into Bronco Bullfrog, a lad who’s just out of juvenile reformatory and they agree to assist him in a robbery. Del gets a motorbike and falls in love with Irene. Still bored with life, the couple decides to run away. But the police are soon in pursuit. Although made in 1969, there is still a very “mod” and “swinging 60s” feel and style about this film.Read More »

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