Wednesday, October 29, 2014
89. The boxer (1977)
Country: Japan
Directed by Shuji Terayama
Probably the only film of Terayama that you can say that is close to mainstream, 'The boxer' is one of the most interesting movies about boxing ever made : present it with anti heroic way, as a sad, brutal and more or less hopeless occupation that attracts and consumes the most desperate and socially marginalized people who put themselves to a grinding machine in order to escape margin. Although the movie seems sometimes shallow with too many week parts, the poetic, imaginative, often surprising approach of Terayama managed to make it almost fascinating to watch. 'The boxer' although avoids to use melodramatic tricks is a powerfully emotional film especially as it comes closer to the end: when finishes it let you with mixed bitter sweet feelings
You can watch the full movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2TmwyC_E6o
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
88. Tong pan (1976)
Country : Thailand
Directed by Euthana Mukdasanit , Surachai Jantimatorn
Probably this docudrama , at times boring, at times simplistic, is nothing special artistically. This approach leaves out that 'Tong Pan' is among the first few Thai films that were directly political , bringing on the screen the intense social struggle in Thai society, the poverty of the farmers that were severely exploited, the injustice, the need for radical change. Is not strange at all that the junta of the era banned the film immediately arresting many of the people that took part to its production. However, he value of the film is not only historical and political: many scenes are really memorable, the black and white photograph seems quite beautiful at times, the style is way too modern than almost anything Thai cinema has done before
87. Save the green planet (2003)
Country: South Korea
Directed by Jang Joon-hwan
At first probably you think that you will watch an ordinary kitsch staff, a mainstream commercial movie that poses as different, crazy and funny . Soon you realize that indeed this film is different and has something that keeps your attention until the last minute. 'Save the green planet' mixes successfully genres as science fiction, parody, comedy, thriller, horror. At the same time gives equal mixed feelings to the spectators who can't really decide which character have to take the part, if they have to feel amused or terrified, if the movie is sad or funny, if they have to take everything seriously or is just a big joke
You can watch the full movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTT2z068_JQ
Sunday, October 19, 2014
86. Nanami: The inferno of the first love (1968)
Country: Japan
Directed by Susumu Hani
If I really have to be fair, this movie rather shouldn't be included in this list as has too many week sides. Is pretentious, exploitative of female body, sometimes too mainstream and ordinary when it poses as something alternative. But, one the other hand , you can't ignore that is optically beautiful, poetic, often really bold and revolutionary : almost a paradox that balances between something that you love and you hate the same time. However, Susumu Hani was one of the very few really independent Japanese filmmakers of the era , a leading figure of Japanese new wave cinema, who tried to explore the limits of his art: can't be omitted from this list
You can watch the full movie here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZYa5ryosQ&list=PL6BEA35E77A05F3D3
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
85. Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974)
Country : Philippines
Directed by Lino Brocka
In a powerful social commentary, Lino Brocka depicts ,without to hesitate and rather boldly, the sad realities of Philippines. Huge gap between rich and poor, corruption, state's mechanisms that are serving those with power, hypocrisy, marginalization of the weak, social racism : the young and sensitive hero is difficult to breath in this inhuman and brutal provincial environment , so has to refuse his social background in order to keep his humanity. The movie is emotionally hard to watch : Brocka is raw and merciless in order to make us feel as viewers his desperation about social inequalities and injustice in his country. A masterpiece of Filipino cinema.
You can watch the full movie here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAFsL95gacY
84. Whispering corridors (1998)
Country: South Korea
Directed by Park Ki-hyeong
Although the second part of the movie is rather disappointing , 'Whispering corridors' is an interesting horror movie with a lot of qualities. In reality someone can call it psychological thriller as playing a lot with the psychological tension and the ambiguous characters. Also is a kind of strange sadistic erotism towards the relations of students and teachers. Generally , the movie gives a lot of different signs that you can't be sure where they will lead. This increases the tension even if you realize finally that the film turns on mainstream as the time passes. Nothing too special but notable!
You can watch the full movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARFi1lvi4iI
Friday, October 10, 2014
83. I was born but ... (1932)
Country: Japan
Directed: Yazujiro Ozu
Very few Japanese movies depict the tremendous importance of social hierarchy in Japanese society so emphatic as in this early Ozu's silent masterpiece. This vivid , funny and tender satire is almost timeless: speaks a thousand words about the nowadays reality even if more than 80 years passed since the time that was produced. Ozu shows , ironically at times , how strong is the social determination, how powerful is the money, the hypocrisy of his society , how the children learn from very early to follow social norms of inequality. However, doesn't offer of course a revolutionary alternative: just observes and gives as always his sympathy and love to his characters
You can watch the full movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AOBzPXQyVk
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