Summary from The Hindu:
On paper, Siddheshwari, like so many films commissioned by the Films Division, is a cine-profile, of the Hindustani singer Siddheshwari Devi. However, Kaul turns the genre inside out, and amalgamates literary, theatrical, musical and cinematic forms together to construct an experience of music, instead of simply presenting biographical details or passively documenting the singer’s artistry. The sprawling film blends multiple timelines, realities and geographies to sketch a unique portrait of the artist.Read More »
1990s
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Mani Kaul – Siddeshwari (1990)
1981-1990DocumentaryExperimentalIndiaMani Kaul -
Terry Gilliam – The Fisher King (1991)
1991-2000ComedyDramaTerry GilliamUSAQuote:
A fairy tale grounded in poignant reality, the magnificent, Manhattan-set The Fisher King, by Terry Gilliam, features Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams in two of their most brilliant roles. Bridges plays a former radio shock jock reconstructing his life after a scandal, and Williams is a homeless man on a quest for the Holy Grail—which he believes to be hidden somewhere on the Upper East Side. Unknowingly linked by their pasts, the two men aid each other on a fanciful journey to discovering their own humanity. This singular American odyssey features a witty script by Richard LaGravenese, evocative cinematography by Roger Pratt, and superb supporting performances by Amanda Plummer and an Oscar-winning Mercedes Ruehl, all harnessed by Gilliam into a compassionate, funny modern-day myth.Read More » -
Jirí Menzel – Zivot a neobycejna dobrodruzstvi vojaka Ivana Conkina aka Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin (1994)
1991-2000ComedyCzech RepublicJirí MenzelWar
The story of a soldier looking after a broken plane in a remote Soviet village. Meanwhile, the German-Soviet war breaks out, but he carries on guarding it, protecting it even against the NKVD and Red Army, brought there on the information of his conscientious fellow-citizens. Based on a book by Russian writer Vladimir Voynovich, published in 1975 in Paris; Voynovich himself emigrated in 1980 following persecution by the regime. The film uses almost exclusively non-professional actors, and its tone captures the atmosphere of the start of the war and also of coloured film.Read More »
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Emanuele Crialese – Once We Were Strangers (1997)
1991-2000ComedyEmanuele CrialeseRomanceUSAfrom imdb:
Antonio is a seductive, charismatic Sicilian living illegally in New York. He wanders from job to job, lives as a squatter and enjoys a carefree romantic tryst with a wealthy art dealer. When he falls in love with Ellen, a strong-willed radio talk-show host who is set to move to Paris within a few days, he decides he must find a way to keep her from leaving. Meanwhile, Antonio’s friend Apu faces a love challenge of his own. Apu is a young Indian-turned-New Yorker who was sent from his homeland with his family’s life savings to find the American dream of success and fulfillment. He works hard at odds jobs– from being a guinea pig in a drug-testing lab to dubbing porno films. Then his life is completely uprooted on the day his pre-arranged wife from India arrives in New York–the woman chosen by their families when they were children, one he hasn’t seen since he was 8 and she was 4. Apu is caught between the old world and the new–trying to find love and happiness within the confines of his pre-determined destiny. The film is about what happens when cultures clash–about expectations and reality, dreams of love and money, and life when the timing is way off. Written by {[email protected]}Read More » -
Martin Scorsese – The Age of Innocence (1993)
Drama1991-2000ArthouseMartin ScorseseUSAThis 1993 film, directed by Martin Scorsese, brings the Edith Wharton novel to life.
Here it is — all the social comment and smoldering unrequited passions originally
intended by the author. And now it’s in living color with academy award winning costume
design reflecting New York society in the 1870s.Daniel-Day Lewis is cast as Newland Archer, the upper class young man in conflict
between social convention and desire. Michelle Pfeiffer plays the Countess Ellen Olenska,
who has already defied convention by marrying a European and is further defying
convention by leaving her husband and returning to New York. However, in spite of his
attraction to the countess, Newland Archer marries the beautiful but seemingly simple
May Welland, played by Wynona Ryder, whose outstanding performance won her an academy
award nomination.Read More » -
John T. Davis – Hobo (1991)
Documentary1981-1990CultJohn T. DavisUnited KingdomA hobo works and wanders, a tramp dreams and wanders, and a bum drinks and wanders.
Irish director John T Davis stashes a camera in his bedroll, catches out, and rides the rails from Minneapolis to Seattle with Beargrease, a part-time hobo and full time philosopher, who narrates their way through the incredible scenery of the Northwest and gives us his views on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The pair meet up several other men living life on the margins: in particular a scene in which Duffy – an ex-corporate executive now living under a bridge in Spokane & collecting cans – describes how he got there is riveting.
Hobo is an American classic. I think is sums up what is wrong at times with the US and what makes the US great all at the same time.Read More »
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Aleksandr Zeldovich – Moskva aka Moscow (1999)
Drama1991-2000Aleksandr ZeldovichArthouseRussia
IMDB:
User Review
Mockva
29 November 2005 | by severaloptions (United States)I took the movie very seriously. Of course it is a black farce. But not only so.
I love to watch this movie. The director captured my attention and held it. The acting is extremely well-done down to the smallest gesture. The dialogue is meaningful; the silences even more so. Tatyana Drybich found her role here.Read More »
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Vladimir Potapov – Posrednik AKA The Mediator (1990)
Drama1981-1990Sci-FiUSSRVladimir PotapovQuote:
Morning of a silent provincial small town. The sleepy city is exposed silent to capture alien a landing. Newcomers are installed in people, destroying the person and subordinating a body to the new carrier. It is last fantastic film made in the USSR. 1990 – last year before disintegration of the Union.
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Aki Kaurismäki – Total Balalaika Show (1994)
1991-2000Aki KaurismäkiFinlandMusicalDescription: On June 12, 1993, Audience of 70.000 people witnessed a historical event on the Senate Square in Helsinki. Leningrad Cowboys performed for the first time together with the 100 singers, 40 musicians and 20 dancers of the Alexandrov Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble, on the biggest stage ever seen in Finland. The programme included rock classics from “Happy Together” and “Delilah” to “Gimme All Your Lovin” and “Knocking On Heaven`s Door”, as well as traditional hits from the Ensemble`s own repertoire.Read More »







