• Robin Spry – Prologue (1970)

    1961-1970CanadaDocumentaryDramaRobin Spry

    One critic described this film as an “immensely appealing and articulate exploration of the world of the drop-out, which makes almost everything else in the recent spate of films about hippydom seem adolescent.” Prologue concerns a young Montrealer who edits an underground newspaper. He and his female companion are joined by a young draft dodger from the United States. In the choices they make, the two rival philosophies of dissenting youth become evident: militant protest or communal retreat.Read More »

  • Aktan Arym Kubat – Beshkempir AKA The Adopted Son (1998)

    1991-2000Aktan Arym KubatDramaKyrgyzstan

    Synopsis
    In a Kyrgyz village, five older women adopt an infant foundling. Jump ahead about 12 years: the boy, Beshkempir, is entering puberty, the age, his granny says, when life goes berserk. He plays with friends, horsing around, sniggering about sex, going to an outdoor movie. He works, fishing and making bricks of mud. And, he’s starting to notice girls. He and his best friend fight, and he learns to his consternation that he’s a foundling. A death in the family pushes Beshkempir even faster toward adult roles: he must brush tears from his eyes, lead a funeral procession, and reconcile with his friend. Then, he borrows a bicycle and calls on Aynura: courtship begins.
    IMDb.comRead More »

  • Takashi Shimizu – Tomie: Re-birth (2001)

    2001-2010AsianHorrorJapanTakashi Shimizu

    “An art student disappears after murdering his model. Now his friends and family are being haunted by the resurrected woman, Tomie.”Read More »

  • Andreas Johnsen – Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case (2013)

    2011-2020Andreas JohnsenDenmarkDocumentaryPolitics

    From the website:
    After 81 days of solitary detention world famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is put under house arrest. He suffers from sleeping disorder and memory loss, 18 cameras are monitoring his studio and home, police agents follow his every move, and heavy restrictions from the Kafkaesque Chinese authorities weigh him down. Journalists, the art world and his family all want a piece of him and on top of that he is met with a gigantic lawsuit from the Chinese government, soon to be named ‘The Fake Case’. Ai Weiwei is shaken, but during the year on probation he steadily finds new ways to provoke and challenge the mighty powers of the Chinese authorities in his fight for human rights. Ai Weiwei strongly believes that China is ready for change. And he will do everything to make it happen.Read More »

  • Pen-Ek Ratanaruang – Ruang talok 69 AKA 6ixtynin9 (1999)

    1991-2000CrimePen-Ek RatanaruangThailandThriller

    Quote:
    As any fan of Asian film can tell you there are two major film producing countries on the rise right now. While Hong Kong is trying to fight their way out of a massive industry decline triggered by the reversion to Chinese rule and Japan seems content to hold steady the film cultures of Korea and Thailand have exploded to the forefront, both in terms of quantity and quality of the films being produced. And without a doubt one of Thailand’s brightest lights is writer / director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang.Read More »

  • Nazim Tulyahodzhayev – Veld AKA The Veldt (1987)

    1981-1990HorrorNazim TulyakhodzayevSci-FiUSSR

    Two children get a present from their parents, an electronic game. Via gigantic television screens, Peter and Wendy lose themselves for days in the African “veldt” and watch with excitement as lions devour antelopes.

    Meanwhile, strange things take place outside the house: An atmosphere of hostility forms in the city, and the citizens are unsettled by the materialization of ghosts and the memories of their loved ones…Read More »

  • Marcel Camus – Orfeu Negro AKA Black Orpheus [+Extras] (1959)

    Drama1951-1960BrazilComedyMarcel Camus

    Screen: Legend Retold; ‘Black Orpheus’ Bows at the Plaza
    By BOSLEY CROWTHER
    Published: December 22, 1959

    ALL tangled up in the madness of a Rio de Janeiro carnival, full of intoxicating samba music, frenzied dancing and violent costumes, the Frenchman Marcel Camus presents us a melancholy tale in his color film, “Black Orpheus” (“Orfeu Negro”), which came to the Plaza yesterday.Read More »

  • Louis Malle – Le souffle au coeur AKA Murmur of the Heart (1971)

    1971-1980ArthouseDramaFranceLouis Malle

    Synopsis:
    Laurent Chevalier, a 14-year-old boy, saw his mother as the closest friend. The two of them went to a mountain resort. Clara Chevalier flirted with one of the hotel guests, her son met girls of the same age. However, on the holiday and Laurent, and his mother were left without companions …Read More »

  • Govindan Aravindan – Chidambaram (1985)

    1981-1990AsianClassicsGovindan AravindanIndia

    Chidambaram (Malayalam) is a 1985 Malayalam film written, directed and produced by G. Aravindan. It is the film adaptation of a short story by C. V. Sreeraman.The film explores various aspects of relations between men and women through the lives of three people living in a cattle farm. Themes of guilt and redemption are also dealt with. Bharath Gopi, Smita Patil, Sreenivasan and Mohan Das play the lead roles. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and five Kerala State Film Awards including Best Film and Best Direction.Read More »

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