One of the oldest documentaries filmed in Romania today that is still preserved, Wedding in Arad is a production during the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Transylvania – a period when film production flourished in the region under the influence of Hungarian filmmakers. Born in 1866, Szendrey began his career in acting and theater directing, as did many early film directors, which can be seen in his favorite use of space and theatrical conventions in the productions of the era. A convention visible both at the beginning and at the end of the film: the actors appear behind a curtain, and the last minutes of the film are a recording of a show that seems to be adapted after the life of Napoleon Bonaparte.Read More »
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Mihály Szendrey – Nunta la Arad (1913)
1911-1920Mihály SzendreyRomaniaShort FilmSilent -
Luigi Batzella – La bestia in calore AKA The Beast in Heat (1977)
1971-1980ExploitationItalyLuigi BatzellaWarHORRIFYING EXPERIENCES IN THE LAST DAYS OF THE S.S..
In a remote village in occupied Europe, the SS pursue their inhuman treatment of captured partisans in efforts to force them to betray their comrades… while Fraulein Krast, a sadistic biologist, concentrates her efforts on the womenfolk with refined tortures and humiliation, leaving them to the mercy of a sex-crazed half-man, half-beast she has created with experimental injections… And as advancing Allied forces approach the village, Krast herself becomes a victim of her own fiendish rituals…Read More » -
Peter Watkins – Fällan AKA The Trap (1975)
Peter Watkins1971-1980PoliticsSci-FiSwedenQuote:
In the year 1999, totalitarianism prevails with the U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. colluding to govern the world by strict rules. Chaos erupts on the surface but state employees live safely underground. A radical and his son, visit his brother John’s family in the bunkers and the discourse grows hot.Read More » -
Bill Melendez & Phil Roman – Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don’t Come Back!!) (1980)
Bill Melendez1971-1980AnimationComedyUSAQuote:
Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty and Marcie are chosen as exchange students, destined to spend two weeks in France. Of course, Snoopy and Woodstock join the French odyssey, which turns out to be a combination of mystery, intrigue and romance.Read More » -
Eldar Ryazanov – Karnavalnaya noch AKA Carnival Night AKA Carnival in Moscow [+Extras] (1956)
Eldar Ryazanov1951-1960MusicalRomanceRussia

Quote:
A new chief of a “Culture House” is planning to hold a terribly boring New Year concert. A group of young amateur actors are doing their best to liven up the concert.Read More » -
Fred H. Berger – The Ritual – Propaganda Videozine (1994)
Fred H. Berger1991-2000ArthouseUSA
Gothic Video Art Project – Roman Emperor Hadrian’s favorite Antinous is sacrificed to start a cult; the Greek Goddesses Diane and Hebe shoot arrows at the Sun God; and Shambhala mystics. From Propaganda Videozine III, Fred Berger & co. @ Propaganda Magazine, 1994. Starring John Koviak.Read More »
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Sergiu Nicolaescu – Capcana mercenarilor AKA The Mercenaries’ Trap (1981)
1981-1990ActionRomaniaSergiu NicolaescuWarWorld War OneThe movie is based on a true story from the end of WWI, in Transylvania. A nobleman who owned some land in Transylvania returns home to find a part of his fortune burned to ashes during late 1918 when power was transferred from AustroHungary to Romania. Looking for revenge, he ordered the killing of innocent Romanian peasants from a neighboring village, which he suspected to be guilty for the losses he suffered. A Romanian officer from Romanian Transylvanian Volunteers Corp, decides to help the villagers to face the menace of the nobleman.Read More »
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Tony Richardson – Hamlet (1969)
Tony Richardson1961-1970DramaUnited KingdomWilliam ShakespeareFrom IMDB
The opening moments in any production of Hamlet are critical because the audience, assuming they know the play fairly well, will already be asking the ‘How are they going to do…’ question. It’s the ghost. Hamlet senior. What is he going to look like? In a film, it’s an even bigger challenge, because some people watching might expect a special effect. The approach here is a shot of bright light across the young Dane’s face and his voice echoing through the frame. The style of the film is already crystallised. It’s not about the surroundings or set dressing. It’s about the emotion of the piece, the words. In this key moment we are looking in his eyes as he hear’s his fathers words, and that’s a device used throughout the piece.Read More » -
Xiao Xiao & Lin Lin – Turtle Rock (2017)
2011-2020ArthouseChinaDocumentaryLin LinXiao XiaoSynopsis
Turtle Rock is a tiny mountain village of seven households with uncontaminated natural beauty. But grandma, her son and grandson, being isolated from the modern world, are experiencing evolving dilemmas and struggles…Read More »






