• Bertrand Tavernier – La princesse de Montpensier AKA The Princess of Montpensier (2010)

    2001-2010Bertrand TavernierDramaFrance

    France, 1562. Against a background of the savage Catholic/Protestant wars, Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry), a beautiful young aristocrat, and the rakish Henri de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel), fall in love, but Marie’s father has promised her hand in… France, 1562. Against a background of the savage Catholic/Protestant wars, Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry), a beautiful young aristocrat, and the rakish Henri de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel), fall in love, but Marie’s father has promised her hand in marriage to the Prince of Montpensier (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). When he is called away to battle, her husband leaves her in the care of Count Chabannes (Lambert Wilson), an aging nobleman with a disdain for warfare. As he experiences his own forbidden desire for Marie, Chabannes must also protect her from the dangerously corrupt court dominated by Catherine de Medici. Director Bertrand Tavernier translates Madame de Lafayette’s 1622 novella into a bracingly intelligent and moving evocation of the terrible conflict between duty and passion. Though the themes are classic, Tavernier, with the cinematographer Bruno de Keyzer’s vivid landscapes and Philippe Sarde’s pulsing score, makes them feel passionately, urgently contemporary.Read More »

  • Gonzalo García Pelayo – Salón de Uñas AKA Nail Salon (2024)

    2021-2030ArgentinaComedyDramaGonzalo García Pelayo

    “Salón De Uñas revolves onces again around the question
    to which extend new relationship models can be feasible…” ~Cine ArgentinaRead More »

  • Tunç Basaran – Piano Piano Bacaksiz AKA Piano Piano Kid (1991)

    1991-2000DramaFantasyTunc BasaranTurkey

    Quote:
    The original meaning of the word “piano” is “quiet” or “soft,” so when Kemal’s uncle Kerim admonishes him by saying Piano Piano Kid, he’s encouraging him to go through life softly. Uncle Kerim hopes to improve the family fortunes by using his numismatic scholarship to make a great deal on old coins. The boy lives in his family’s boarding house, surrounded by interesting and eccentric, but kindhearted people. His father is thoroughly addicted to gambling, and aside from rents paid by their tenants, the family makes most of its money through the efforts of Kemal’s mother in her acting jobs. Though his parents often argue, it is also clear that they love one another. This sweet family drama is set in Istanbul in the 1940s, and won a “Best Director” award in the 1991 Istanbul Film Festival. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie GuideRead More »

  • João César Monteiro – Veredas AKA Trails (1978)

    1971-1980ArthouseFantasyJoão César MonteiroPortugal

    Quote:
    A poetic journey in the heart of Portugal. They were two. A man and a woman that met and traveled down from the Tras-os-Montes to the sea. Legends and steep and rocks, faces and sounds… In the film, the chant of a country’s history eight century long is passed on.Read More »

  • Julia de Castro, María G. Royo – On the Go (2023)

    2021-2030AdventureComedyJulia de CastroMaría G. RoyoQueer Cinema(s)Spain

    “…a queer, feminist road movie, both hilarious and militant, which urges us to tackle life head-on without fear of the future…” Cineuropa

    Quote:
    Travelling across an Andalusia reminiscent of the Wild West (the film’s 16mm format being incredibly helpful in this respect), our antiheroes and antiheroines follow their instincts and decide to take on the present with the delightful carefreeness and arrogance of youth, without worrying about the future. Music, dance and traditions linked to a land where Flamenco reigns supreme infuse each and every frame, reminding us that emotions matter more than rationality. A tribute to Gonzalo García Pelayo’s cult Spanish movie Corridas de alegría, On the Go is a road movie where nothing is planned and everything appears to be incredibly easy…Read More »

  • Chuck Ellis and Jack Shrum – Blood Hunter (1996)

    1991-2000Chuck EllisHorrorJack ShrumUSA

    A vampire living in rural Kentucky, takes a bite out of crime.Read More »

  • Sadao Nakajima – Don o totta otoko AKA The Man Who Shot the Don (1994)

    1991-2000ActionCrimeJapanSadao Nakajima

    Horai serves an 18 year sentence for killing a rival boss, but right before his release he is attacked.Read More »

  • José Giovanni – La scoumoune AKA The Pariah (1972)

    1971-1980CrimeDramaFranceJosé Giovanni

    Episodic portrait of a criminal, from 1934 until after the war. Roberto Borgo is tough, cool, sardonic, loyal, and deadly. He comes to Marseilles to help his friend Xavier Saratov get out of jail, first killing a local brothel and casino boss to take over the businesses, and, with the help of Xavier’s sister, Georgia, amass money for Xavier’s defense. Xavier loses in court, so Roberto gets himself thrown in prison to be with his friend. Escape proves futile, but they are pardoned in exchange for working as sappers. After the war, Xavier is a bitter cripple, but Roberto remains detached, extorting ownership of a casino, which puts his friends at risk. Does he care?Read More »

  • André Cayatte – La raison d’état AKA State Reasons (1978)

    1971-1980André CayatteFrancePoliticsThriller

    Professor Marrot obtains the secret documents containing evidence of the illegal weapon transactions between the French government, in the face of its high official Leroi, and two African countries. Before making the public statement, Marrot finds himself under surveillance. In the critical circumstances his Italian friend and partner Angela takes action and the game continues.Read More »

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