Rowan Sullivan, Author at FilmRoot

501

Hail Mary – Jean-Luc Godard + The Bible

What does a radical filmmaker do when the energy of the New Wave is fading? He makes a film about the Virgin Mary and Joseph to provoke controversy from the Catholic Church.

Hail Mary Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

So what does a radical filmmaker do when the verve of the New Wave is over? He makes Hail Mary, a film about the Virgin Mary and Joseph to provoke controversy from the Catholic Church.

From: France, Europe
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: The Passion of Christ, Children of Men, Second Coming

502

Oldboy – THE Revenge Thriller to Rule them All

Oooweee you are in for a treat. Oldboy is the best revenge film you can find in the 21st century, let alone South Korea. Prepare yourself for a witches brew of 1 part The Truman Show, 1 part Memento, and 1 part “what the f**k! Park Chan-wook has made one crazy movie!

Oldboy Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

You’re in for a treat. Oldboy is the best revenge film you can find in the 21st century, let alone South Korea. Prepare yourself for a witches brew of 1 part The Truman Show, 1 part Memento, and 1 part “what the f**k! Park Chan-wook has made one crazy movie!

From: South Korea, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: The Truman Show, Memento, Le Samourai

503

Divorce: Iranian Style – Battle of the Sexes

Some of the cast from Divorce: Iranian Style

Divorce: Iranian Style Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Who said you can’t learn from film? Show them this documentary, and I guarantee you’ll know more about Iran by the time the credits appear.

From: Iran, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Watch on YouTube, Buy on Amazon
Next: Divorce: Italian Style, Beauty and the Dogs, Flesh Out

504

Akira – Visit a Dystopian Animated Tokyo

Watch this if:

You like Sci-fi and/or anime films
You want to visualise a Tokyo in a dystopian future
You love Motor Bikes!
The Matrix, Bladerunner, or Tron really got you going
You want to learn more about Japanese anime!

Akira Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Set in a dystopian future where society is crumbling, Akira is the anime equivalent of The Matrix. Pay attention to the superbly animated setting of ‘Neo-Tokyo,’ a city which resembles a mix of Bladerunner’s Los Angeles and the Hunger Games’ Panem. See the original before a Hollywood studio remakes their live-action version (which has been in the works for years at various Hollywood studios).

From: Japan, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Buy on Amazon
Next: The Matrix, Bladerunner, Tron