Online Movie Station

Winter is almost over so let's recall some of the movies I have seen during the cold season.

Infancia Clandestina (Clandestine Childhood), Benjamín Ávila, Argentina, Spain and Brazil
Known for his documentary Nietos (Identidad y Memorial) Avila debuts with his first feature film about a similar subject, the children in the troubled Argentinean days of the late 70's. As stated by Avila film story is not autobiographical even when he mixes some of his personal memories with fiction and tells story from a child point of view, which is very safe but becomes a lot less engaging for viewers as at moments becomes a melodrama about puppy love more than how to handle a double identity when you are so young. In this sense while watching story became very familiar for me and not unique as similar stories were told by films like 1988 Sidney Lumet's Running on Empty and 2000 Christian Petzold's Die innere Sicherheit (The State I Am In). The second is also Petzold's feature film debut and for a debut is a very engaging film and story, an opportunity that is lost in Avila's film perhaps because is not easy to objectively direct a film about what happened in your real life.

As we know was Argentina's submission to 2013 Oscar, an honor that perhaps was given more for the story film tells than for film's quality. Still stories like this one need to be told and people need to know them. Watch at your own risk but do not expect much from film specs and perhaps you will enjoy it more than me. Enjoy!  Trailer.


Las Malas Intenciones (The Bad Intentions), Rosario Garcia-Montero, Peru, Argentina and Germany
The debut feature film by Garcia-Montero that also has a story centered in a child and her view of everything that surrounds her in the critical and violent moments in Peru of the early 80's. This time the story is set in a wealthy family where the lonely young girl world collapses as her mother tells her she is going to have a sibling, which is the excuse to lightly explore Peru's conflicts. Not many stories have been told from this specific conflict, so there was a big opportunity for this film to excel at least for the story told, but no it did not as the little girl personal story overshadows everything else that is also told. Then you have the problem of not-so-good acting which makes film very hard to sustain watching.

Peru's submission to 2013 Oscar definitively has not the quality of films by more accomplished Peruvian directors like Claudia Llosa or Vega brothers outstanding films so suggest to watch at your own risk not expecting a great film and maybe you will enjoy it more than what I did. Sigh. Trailer.

Todos Tenemos Un Plan (Everybody Has a Plan), Ana Piterbarg, Argentina, Spain and Germany
Another debut feature film by Ana Piterbarg that unfortunately is not much amazing perhaps due to the lack of developed directorial skills as film starts very well both story wise and tech specs but around the middle film clearly lost direction after setting up some really interesting concepts that are abandoned for stretching a film too long without a clear direction to a much predictable end.

The best film has is that Viggo Mortensen performance looks great thanks to other actors really bad performances. Alright there is something else, Piterbarg style suggests that she will have a good future in filmmaking when her directorial skills improve. Enjoy.  Trailer.

Blancanieves, Pablo Berger, Spain
A very interesting take on classic Snow White tale as film is one of the most clearly Spain's values showcase that I have seen in ages, not only because is about bullfighting, has great music score (mostly Flamenco) but because is set in the 20's and has some great costumes. Also as film is black and white delights us with some very interesting use of light creating some outstanding to watch compositions. The silent film is an homage to German Expressionism which makes film very different to the "other" recent silent film and makes it a very artistic feast to the eyes. That's the good part.

On the not-great side, unfortunately some of the performances doesn't fit what you expect from a silent film nor recreates the fantastic performances in films of the German Expressionism era. For me performances are "too modern" with the occasional exceptions when the necessary silent film dramatic-exaggerated performance is present in scenes by Maribel Verdú. Still and considering modern performances is Macarena García who captured my attention and who I enjoyed most in film.

Spain's submission to 2013 Oscar was surely overshadowed by last year Best Picture Oscar winner but do not let this fool you as this is a movie that I strongly suggest you do not skip especially if you appreciate art in movies but somehow I know that due to the known tale very unconventional adaptation could please wider audiences that never imagined Snow White could be told as is told here. Enjoy!!! Trailer.

Hypnotisören (The Hypnotist), Lasse Hallström, Sweden
A great entertaining film that in my opinion represents well Nordic mainstream films as absolutely has the fantastic cold performances style, blueish/greyish look, slowish pace and a story that can easily capture your attention. But one word of advice, do NOT expect this film to be a Hollywood thriller as thankfully it is NOT.

My best reference is that if you enjoyed 2008 Tomas Alfredson's Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In), 2006 Baltasar Kormákur's Mýrin (Jar City) and/or the original 2009 Niels Arden Oplev's Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) then perhaps you will also enjoy this film that was Sweden submission to 2013 Oscar. Enjoy!! Trailer.

Den skaldede frisør (Love Is All You Need), Susanne Bier, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France and Germany
Was expecting a less mainstream movie but movie is really mainstream cinema and perhaps the most crowd-pleaser/feel-good that Bier has done. Unfortunately and mainly due to casting but also because story, film makes you think about Mamma Mia! -without the songs- which somehow didn't help me to enjoy more film. Still film has some great Nordic style performances by Trine Dyrholm's as Ida and Paprika Steen as very unpleasant Benedikte; the only cast misfortune is Pierce Brosnan even when his performance is not bad, role should have been given to another good actor that hasn't star in a similar story high profile movie.

This romcom is nice to watch but please do not expect a Hollywood romcom as there is nothing American in this film, not the performances, not the storytelling style, not the humor, not the background drama, nor anything else. Film is an enjoyable entertaining moment that could please many that enjoy European cinema. Enjoy!! Trailer.

Cloclo (My Way), Florent-Emilio Siri, France and Belgium
Was more interesting in recalling the life of Claude François than watching film as a film, so you can say that my expectations were very low which was perfect as film as a film is not that good. Assume that this biopic will please many fans of the French pop singer but wonder if those not familiar with him and his brief life could enjoy film that much. Still Jérémie Renier performance is very acceptable as if not has the true looks has most of the mannerisms of Claude François, however is Benoît Magimel transformation what impressed me the most.

For those not familiar with the French singer (he was contemporary of Gilbert Bécaud, Johnny Hallyday and Frances Gall -all are in movie) perhaps knowing that he was the co creator of one of the most famous songs in the world, My Way that Paul Anka bought the rights, created new English lyrics and Frank Sinatra made it an international success. In this sense perhaps what film also has is an interesting take in how songs are translated into other languages to make local singers very popular in that language-speaking countries, sometimes overshadowing locally the success of the "original" song/singer and this story works BOTH ways here, from English to French and from French to English.

It is a very French film with a very French story that I am not sure non-French can enjoy, so my best suggestion is to watch Youtube video clips of the real Claude François before watching movie. Enjoy! Trailer.

The Paperboy, Lee Daniels, USA
With the mostly not positive reviews was expecting a film that I could not enjoy, but surprise, surprise film is truly "trashy" but highly enjoyable with one scene that I know will NOT forget, ever. This particular scene made me jump with a mix of disgust and incredibility as even when during the entire movie I really forgot I was watching Nicole Kidman in the screen, during this scene I couldn't help but seeing her doing a very sexually graphic scene (actually you see not much as almost everything is suggested) that yes, shocked me. Please do not allow me to confuse you, this is one the best Kidman's performances I have seen and one that everyone should see.

Know that film is not for everyone as is very violent, very sexually suggestive (not much is actually shown but it is suggested and makes your imagination flow into only one direction), highly homoerotic (again not much shown but suggested) and story is in one word, bizarre. But somehow Daniels take on the Pete Dexter award winner novel reminds me of Tarantino and bet you all that if Tarantino dared to tell this story, many will praise his work. Then you can't forget that Pedro Almodovar produced film which makes the Daniels-Almodovar collaboration very unconventional and yes, bizarre. Great.

I couldn't watch Daniels previous film as was too much for me, but this one strongly recommend you watch it; however prepare yourself for a sleazy/trashy very unconventional film. Enjoy!!! Trailer.

Have seen many more films but this is it for today. Cheers!

Not many movies leave me speechless, much less wondering what I really saw; more specifically, with my brain empty. But exactly that's what happened after watching Christian Mungiu's film. It took me weeks to decide to write something about this movie and as soon as started I stopped as nothing made sense. No doubt that my expectations had much to do with my reaction and was not until I forgot about his first movie, that I tried to forget about my expectations and after running many times the movie in my head that some clarity came to me and only then decided to read what it has been written about movie and what the director says about his movie.

My surprise was to find so many different story interpretations, that many extensively talked about the story while much less about the film as a film and remarkable is that most gave movie top scores, meaning they highly enjoyed what they saw... for whatever not-so-clear-for-them reason. Was after this moment that words came to my mind and it was time to write about this movie. Yes I liked movie, I liked what I saw but had not much idea why, until now.

As most that write about film, let's start with the story.

The Story

The story is a fictional interpretation of a real event that happened in 2005 as told by two non-fiction novels by Tatiana Niculescu. The key element is the word fiction as fictionalizing the real story is what allowed Mungiu to create an "evolving" narrative that can be seen in so many ways.

On the surface this is the tale of two orphan girls that after reaching their eighteen birthday had to leave the orphanage and went their separate ways. Alina end up in Germany while Voichiţa stayed in Romania. They were in love and the separation was not easy for none of them. When Alina returns to get some papers, she hopes Voichiţa will go back to Germany with her as work awaits for both of them. But Voichiţa has filled her life with strong commitment to religion and while she still loved Alina she had found what she never had before, a family. Story evolves with the dilemma of staying or leaving that BOTH have and unravels into the known-end as was impossible that their story could have a happy ending.

Of course the above is a very simplistic way to describe the story as this love story is peppered with many decision points that "complicate" the narrative to unimaginable levels, only absolutely amazing Mungiu's creative imagination could make this simple (yet, unconventional) story into a very complex, layered story.

But there is another simple way to describe the story. The tale of how poverty, no-future, ignorance, and religion can make people do unthinkable things, things that were common in darker ages but that should not happen today. What follows has major spoilers and if you wish not to learn them, please skip the rest of paragraph. This tale is told in an Orthodox monastery founded by an ex power plant worker whose life was turned around by an encounter with an Angel, whose church has not been approved by Orthodox authorities and who in private is called Papa, while in public Priest. The monastery has no other men as is inhabit only by nuns with mother superior also called Mama in private and the first in public. It is a tight family with a very strict Papa and a Mama that quietly follows her Papa's will. The few nuns background stories we learn describe situations that have very little to do with faith and more with escaping their previous lives, including Voichiţa's who seems to be the youngest of them all and perhaps Papa and Mama favorite. When Voichiţa's "friend" Alina comes to stay in the monastery, their peaceful monotony is highly disturbed due to conflicts between trying to keep their own peaceful life and helping others, leading them to the ultimate solution: exorcise Alina as the devil inside her is what is making her do everything she does.

And still there is a third simple way to summarize story. The tale of abuse and its consequences. More major spoilers will follow so stop reading paragraph if you wish not to learn them. Alina and Voichiţa were abused in the orphanage by a photographer who took photographs (we assume relationship to child pornography) of many girls, a scandal that later was uncovered and is known to local authorities; is precisely this photographer who finds a "job" (prostitution?) for Alina in Germany. One nun's background story tells about spouse abuse. Alina's foster family abused her in many ways, including stealing money from her. Life in the monastery shows mental abuse by stern priest to submissive nuns. Physical abuse is shown in more ways than with the exorcism. Etc.

Could go on and on with "simple" stories summaries but will stop here to do an exercise, combine the above three simplistic stories into one and there you have some (indeed not all) of what is shown in the screen. It will be up to you to interpret according to your own values what you saw as Mungiu absolutely do NOT take any side, does not influence you in any way and does not give any answers. He just tells a "simple" story in his own particular way.

The Screenplay

The Cannes award winner screenplay written and re-written while filming by Cristian Mungiu can be described by one word: Brilliant!!! Wish to understand more Romanian than what I do, but undoubtedly the richness of the language in this screenplay is perfection to take narrative into what images or actors/non-actors performances couldn't and somehow imagine that much is lost in translation.

The Film as a Film

To me Mungiu's previous film was a strong emotional roller coaster so I was expecting something similar; more clearly I was expecting to feel strong emotions. I did not. I was expecting raw reality told with some hand held camera that gave not great visuals but increased tension and the feeling of emotions. It didn't happened. For me this is a very brainy film in all senses including most tech specs and a few mind blowing awesome images and compositions.

Some indoor and outdoor scenes have outstanding production design and cinematography, a true feast to the eyes, so good that made me wish many more in the screen. None is as impressive as when the nuns take Alina from one side of the monastery to the church as the "black centipede" in the white snow background plus the fast movement make this still camera long-take just unbelievably good. The use of light and darkness is remarkable in many scenes as well as the use of color in the many ways it is used, especially the color palette used inside the chapel that made me recall Russian movies. Storytelling pace is slow, very slow at times, which obviously allows you to see everything that is in the screen plus "think" about what is happening while watching; it is only after the second third of film when pace increases but interestingly enough the use of long takes continues.

Even when director describes the pressure of deadlines while filming and after, you can see the attention given to details in many moments and actors/non-actors performances are remarkable as all make you believe their characters. Especially the two Cannes winners leading actresses that unbelievably follow the complete film style in their performances as even in the more dramatic moments they are immutable, mostly expressionless -even deadpan- and you still clearly see what the character is feeling deep inside.

Chirstian Mungiu has done another amazing film, very different to his previous work and yet remarkable in its own way; now I am "dying" to see what comes next from him and just hope it doesn't take much time. But know he will take his time as his artistry is not based on rushing, but on well-crafting all movie elements.

Closing Remarks

As mentioned in the beginning, read many story interpretations but none captured my attention more than the one that compared story to totalitarianism or what Romanians had to live while under totalitarian regime. Until I read interpretation this idea was not in my head, but now think that is a possibility as story could be describing totalitarian ruling, the one that comes from government but also from religion.

Yes, film has some lesbian interest BUT film is not what I can call a lesbian interest movie as is SO different to what the genre does that know that many looking to watch for this reason will be disappointed and surely many will not stand the film very slow pace as more than three thirds of film have very slow storytelling style and narrative. But the last comment is also true for general audiences. Of course I highly recommend watching film but believe some will like it while some will not, still there is no doubt that for whatever reason film will stay long in your head.

Know will see film many more times looking for what could be hidden inside the "obvious" story, but the next time for sure will see it as a totalitarian story.

BIG ENJOY!!!

Watch trailer @MOC

Awards gave some surprises to me, except all the awards that A perdre la raison won. Winners are in *BLUE. To learn winners in all categories go Academy site.

1/11
Yesterday the André Delvaux Academy announced the nominations for the awards third edition and this year the ceremony will be presided by none other than great Yolande Moreau. Also this year Le Magritte d’Honneur goes to extraordinary director Costantin Costa Gravas.

Awards ceremony will be on February 2 at Square, Brussels and will be broadcast live by BeTV 1 and VOO.

Best Film
38 témoins (One Night), Lucas Belvaux
*A perdre la raison (Our Children), Joachim Lafosse
Dead Man Talking, Patrick Ridremont
Mobile Home, François Pirot

Best Flemish Coproduction
*Tot altijd (Time of My Life), Nic Balthazar
Het varken van Madonna (Madonna’s Pig), Frank Van Passel
Little Black Spiders, Patrice Toye

Best Foreign Film in Coproduction
De rouille et d'os (Bone and Rust), Jacques Audiard
*L'exercice de l'Etat (The Minister), Pierre Schoeller
The Angels' Share, Ken Loach
Le cochon de Gaza (When Pigs Have Wings), Sylvain Estibal

Best Director
Lucas Belvaux for 38 témoins (One Night)
*Joachim Lafosse for A perdre la raison (Our Children)
Patrick Ridremont for Dead man talking
François Pirot for Mobile home

Best Actress
*Émilie Dequenne in A perdre la raison (Our Children)
Christelle Cornil in Au cul du loup (Miles from Anywhere)
Déborah François in Les tribulations d'une caissière
Marie Gillain in Toutes nos envies (All Our Desires)

Best Supporting Actress
Natacha Régnier in 38 témoins (One Night)
Stéphane Bissot in A perdre la raison (Our Children)
*Yolande Moreau in Camille redouble (Camille Rewinds)
Catherine Salée in Mobile Home

Best Female Newcomer
Pauline Burlet in Dead Man Talking
Aurora Marion in La folie Almayer (Almayer’s Folly)
Mona Jabé in Miss mouche
*Anne-Pascale Clairembourg in Mobile Home

Best Actor
Jérémie Renier in Cloclo
Matthias Schoenaerts in De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone)
*Olivier Gourmet in L'exercice de l'Etat (The Minister)
Benoît Poelvoorde in Le grand soir

Best Supporting Actor
*Bouli Lanners in De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone)
Jean-Luc Couchard in Dead Man Talking
Denis M’Punga in Dead Man Talking
Dieudonné Kabongo in L'envahisseur

Best Male Newcomer
*David Murgia in La tête la première
Martin Swabey in Little Glory
Gael Maleux in Mobile Home
Cédric Constantin in Torpédo

Best Screenplay
*Lucas Belvaux for 38 témoins (One Night)
Joachim Lafosse and Matthieu Reynaert for A perdre la raison (Our Children)
Patrick Ridremont and Jean-Sébastien Lopez for Dead Man Talking
François Pirot, Maarten Loix and Jean-Benoît Ugeux for Mobile Home

To check nominees in all categories plus info about each film please go here, available only in French. Dead Man Talking leads with eight (8) nominations ahead of Our Children, Mobile Home and One Night.