Film Difficulty 3

To help you ease your way into our world, we have devised a the film difficulty ranking system to rate the difficulty of each film reviewed on our site. The easiest to watch films (the Rom-Coms and Superhero flicks that you watch anyway) will have a rating of 1. Foreign language films automatically add one point, as do black and white films, and films with strange and hard to follow plots. Welcome to Film Difficulty 3.

Film Difficulty Ranking 3: More of a challenge for those familiar with foreign films. Level 3 is like a mix between an intriguing European mime artist and your most interesting and demanding school teacher.

If you’ve mastered these films, move onto Film Difficulty Ranking 4.

Closely Watched Trains (Czechoslovakia)

Closely Watched Trains Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Ever seen Fawlty Towers or Arrested Development? This Czechoslovakian comedy set in the Nazi occupation has a similar tone to these two classic comedies. Instead of a Hotel or a Banana Stand (see above) this film has a rural train station. It’s run by a chubby conductor who keeps a pigeon coop, an very old man, a horny guy who has sex on shift, and our man Milos. This oddball combination make this film one to watch!

Why Watch Closely Watched Trains?

This is a great place to start if you haven’t seen a Czech film before
You like the style of Wes Anderson or the humour of Arrested Development
If you are a history fan – this film is set during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in WW2
It won the best Foreign Film Academy Award back in 1968

The Breakdown

This film starts with a shot of adolescent Milos standing in a shirt and boxer shorts in a plain bedroom. A narrator starts telling us about Milos’ family. The camera cuts to a picture of Milos’ uncle, a hypnotist whom the whole village was a con artist. He became famous for trying to hypnotise the Nazis into turning their tanks around. He obviously failed.

After we hear about Milos’ uncle, the camera turns to another family picture hanging on the wall to tell us another family story. We hear the stories of three of Milos’ family members through a montage of old photos. The camera ends on Milos’ shoes and tracks up his body as his mum says “what a looker”. A hat floats onto Milos’ head as magical music plays.

The style of the opening reminded me of the slow pans and fixed image montages used by Wes Anderson. Even the voice over narrations, quirky comedic tone, and close ups of props must have influenced Wes Anderson.

The story follows young Milos as he starts work at a quiet railway station in rural Czechoslovakia. At first the signs of the Nazi occupation are limited to the speeches of the regional councillor who stops by the station every other day. Otherwise life at the station is pretty normal. Milos spends a lot of time fawning over a local girl while his colleague womanises whilst on duty.

However, as the narrative progresses, the signs of the Nazi occupation gradually become more prominent. Milos’ political awareness grows alongside his sexual progression, both symbols of becoming a man.

Conclusion

As you will see, Closely Watched Trains, has a lot more substance than the comedic combination that carries the opening 30 minutes. It portrays the life of thousands of young kids that grew up during the war time period across Europe. This film is entertaining, stylish, and deep, which make it a must see film from the Czech New Wave.

Prince of Nothingwood (Afghanistan) – Meet Afganistan’s Biggest Film Star

Prince of Nothingwood Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

“This isn’t Hollywood, this isn’t Bollywood, this is Nothingwood, because there’s no money”. – Salim Shaheen

Salim Shaheen is Afghanistan’s biggest film star. He’s Afghanistan’s working class hero (like Cantiflas or Charlie Chaplin) and action film star (like Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger). It’s time for you to get to know him!

Why Watch Prince of Nothingwood?

To meet Afghanistan’s biggest film star
For a positive alternative to the negative war dominated footage of Afghanistan you’ll usually see
See the remains of the famous Buddhas of Bamyan
Hear about the time when there was a bomb on set…

The Breakdown

Salim Shaheen’s story mirrors the story of Afghani cinema. There should be no role for him or for film within the strict Afghani customs. Back when he was a kid, he was beaten by his mother and brothers when they caught him singing and dancing on film. He was also beaten when he was caught sneaking off to the cinema to see some of the Bollywood hits. He was beaten up whenever he got near to film! Simply put, dancing, singing, and acting were all taboo; it just doesn’t fit in strict Afghani tradition.

However, even though Salim Shaheen’s films are a triumph for creativity, you’ll notice there aren’t any women on camera. The director, Sonia Kronlund, is the only woman you’ll see in the whole film. That’s because she’s treated like a man because she isn’t from there. In contrast, Sonia’s female translator is always hidden off camera. According to Sonia, she refused to say anything on camera. As there are no actresses, some of the men have to dress up as women. Despite the apparently strict society, this is considered acceptable, perhaps because homosexuality is inconceivable.

If you’ve been wanting to go to Afghanistan but are worried about the security, this is the perfect film to see. You’ll meet the people, travel across the country (to Bamyan), hear the music, and see the food.

Image result for prince of nothingwood

Conclusion

All in all The Prince of Nothingwood is a rare opportunity to see life in Afghanistan, and an equally rare opportunity to see a positive story from Afghanistan. Salim Shaheen’s story is a triumph for creativity in a society where access to cinematic resources is pretty much non-existent.

Djon Africa – Fantasy vs. Reality in Cape Verde

Djon Africa Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

You might have a vision about a particular place you’ve never visited, but you have to go there to really see what it is like. In Djon Africa, Miguel dreams of meeting his father from Cape Verde, so he decides to seek him out by going there. His fantasies of a place covered with beautiful women and parties are tested by reality.

From: Cape Verde, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Watch on Amazon
Next: Wan Pipel, Wallay, Song of the Sea

Golden Kingdom – Follow the Path to Enlightenment

Golden Kingdom Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Do you want to leave your job to go meditate in a Buddhist temple surrounded by lush green hills? This film might just be the one for you. In the idyllic setting of Golden Kingdom you’ll follow one junior monk on his path to enlightenment.

From: Myanmar, Asia 
Watch: Trailer, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: Colours of the Mountain, Rabbit Proof Fence, Kundun

Umberto D (Italy) – An Introduction to Italian Neorealist Film

Umberto D Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Here’s your chance to introduce yourself to Italian neorealist film. Umberto D. is one of the standout films of the neorealist genre. You’ll meet the elderly Umberto, a man who has been forced into poverty by his government and landlady. It’s a must watch for all film fans.

You can watch the film here on YouTube if your Italian is up to scratch. Otherwise you can rent it here for the price of a coffee.

Why Watch Umberto D?

For the perfect introduction to Italian Neorealism
To see how bad poverty was in post-war Italy
It’s emotional – it’ll get you angry, sentimental, hopeless, and hopeful
It’s actually De Sica’s favourite film (above Bicycle Thieves)

The Breakdown

Umberto D starts with a protest in one of Rome’s city squares. An organized group of elderly men are all demanding a raise in their pensions. One of these men is Umberto D. Ferrari, a retired government worker.

Unfortunately for Umberto, life isn’t going too well. Even though he worked all of his life for the government, he can’t afford to live on the pension they’ve given him. As a result, his unsympathetic landlady is kicking him out.

Despite this, Umberto is always well-dressed in a suit, tie, and hat. He manages to keep his smart dress throughout the film. It’s almost a symbol of his dignity. The only time he thinks about begging is when he removes his hat and gives it to his pet dog Flike to beg on behalf of him. It’s the only short moment in which he relinquishes his dignity and asks for help.

Umberto is not the only one that needs help. You’ll notice some beggars asking for money. But there’s also the landlady’s maid, one of the only friends of Umberto. There’s one iconic scene which focuses on her, pretty much the only scene that isn’t focused on Umberto. In the scene she walks from one end of the landlady’s kitchen to the window to watch a cat wandering over the neighbours roofs. Whilst it may not sound that significant, the scene emphasises the maid’s lack of freedom. Whilst the cat can freely roam the roofs of Rome, she is confined to the landlady’s kitchen. She cannot afford to live by herself or go to school and ultimately she will share the same fate as Umberto later in life. It shows that, unless there’s change, poverty will continue to exist.

Image result for umberto d

Conclusion

De Sica claimed that Umberto D. was his favourite film that he made. In addition, it’s probably one of the best examples of Italian Neo-realism. It’s full of emotion, and quickly gets you to sympathise with Umberto. It’s a must watch if you’re into foreign film.

If you want to get to know more classic Italian films, I’d recommend checking out Divorce: Italian Style for a comedy that inspired Martin Scorsese, and La Dolce Vita from maestro Federico Fellini. For more Neorealist film check out the following:

La Terra Trema (Visconti)
Germany Year Zero (Rossellini)
Bicycle Thieves (De Sica)