drama - Page 11 of 27

Los Hongos (The Mushrooms)

Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Los Hongos follows some cool-ish kids who like to skate and paint. We follow them around Cali in Colombia as they move around the city meeting up with friends and family. This is like spending a bit of time with friendly tour guide in Colombia. This is a sneak peek into life in Cali. (At least I think it is! Please comment if director Oscar Ruiz Navia gets it wrong).

Why watch Los Hongos?

To experience Colombia without the expensive plane ticket (and language problems).
Coming-of-age films! I’m a fan!
For some infectious vibrant colours to make you forget the overcast weather outside.
To see an old man singing ballads in the shower!

Los Hongos opens with a night-time close up of a paint roller covered in red paint being dragged across a chain of posters of political candidates. Is this a political act? Next the protagonist paints a red blotch on the wall. Rebellion? Probably not, for our protagonist is revealed to be Ras, just a young adult figuring out life. He tries to skate on a small bar on the roof of his house until the cockerels start singing before slumping on his bed. His brief moment of peace is broken five minutes later as his mum’s alarm wakes her up and the morning begins.

By this point there had been no dialogue, but I already wanted to know more about Ras. Who was this guy and what gave him the determination to stay up until dawn skating and painting?

We later meet his mate, Calvin, another guy like him who lives with and takes care of his Nana. He gives us a tour of the neighbourhood and Colombian culture by taking him to visit his Dad who takes them to the local cafe where we hear local music, see (and can almost smell) local food, and hear conversation about local politics. It’s like a Lonely Planet 101 to Colombia. That’s what I love about some simple films like this one; they immerse you in another country for an hour or two.

In addition, the cinematography is great. The vibrant colours paint the city to life so you start wanting to be there too. Plus the editing and camera framing and movement is beautiful. For example:

Tracking shots of the characters skating or biking (ie. where the camera alongside them).
Shots of characters in mirrors.
The medium-long shots of characters or scenes gives the film a relaxing rhythm, allowing you to soak in everything. (In contrast with the effect of long shots in Androids Dream and The Lobster).
One beautiful shot of Calvin’s Nana. She is telling Ras and Calvin about a story from years ago and when she finishes her face is shot in close up with Ras slumped asleep on the bed on her right and Calvin asleep to her left. The camera follows the movement as she looks to her right and then to her left. She sees that they have both fallen asleep during her story and she looks directly at the camera which then cuts to a picture of her as a girl. The direction beautifully captures her strong nostalgia and her recognition of her age and closeness to death.

Don’t worry though, because this is not a depressing or sad film. This is a film that rolls with the flow of life and fills your spirit. For a chance to be a kid in Colombia for an hour and a half, choose Los Hongos.

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.

The Orator (Samoa) – Follow the old ‘Samoan Way’

The Orator Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

When you think of Samoa, you probably think of pacific island paradise. The Orator not only showcases the island’s beautiful scenery but also Samoan culture. It’s your chance to try and follow the ‘Samoan Way’. Check it out on Amazon here (free for Prime members).

Image result for the orator film

Why Watch The Orator?

Get to know Samoa, from it’s beautiful landscape to the Samoan language and the ‘Samoan way’
Meet a courageous little person
And a crazy smoking, paint spraying rugby coach
To see some great button up shirts

The Breakdown

The Orator starts with rain and the views and sounds of the natural landscape. It’s beautiful, lush green, and full of life. Then human voices start singing and the camera cuts to a picture of two grave stones in the middle of the forest.

They’re the graves of Saili’s parents. He visits them almost every day and tries to clear the graves of yam plants local farmers have planted around the site. But because of his size (he’s a dwarf/little person) he gets bullied around by the village. And the farmers planting yams around his parents graves threaten to cut of his head if he keeps vandalizing their crops.

Who’s Saili? It’s not entirely clear. All we know is that he’s a taro farmer and that he has a job as the night-time security guard of a local shop. He lives with his wife and her daughter although their relationship seems pretty cordial and friendly rather than romantic. His wife is an outcast just like him, after she was exiled from her home village for reasons we can only assume (probably for having her daughter out of wedlock?).

Why is there so little exposition?

Director Tamasese doesn’t waste time with exposition in The Orator. Instead he immerses us straight into the movie, straight into the Samoan landscape, language, and culture. As a result, we have to figure out what is going on, as well as who the characters are and how they’re related to each other.

His aim is to make you feel like an outsider, just like the two main characters. They have lived most of their lives outside of the ‘Samoan Way’ and have to rediscover it whilst we are trying to figure it out. As a result, we identify more with their journey and struggle.

Conclusion and What to Watch Next

The Orator is a window into another world. With beautiful cinematography and a slow contemplative rhythm, you’ll slowly be introduced to the ‘Samoan Way’.

There are quite a few great films of indigenous people and customs from across Australasia. I strongly recommend checking out:

Tanna – a Shakespearian love story adapted to the Vanuatan rainforest
Rabbit Proof Fence – to cheer on three children from the ‘stolen generation’ trying to walk home after they are separated from their parents
Another Country – to meet an indigenous community in Australia

Or for another contemplative drama with a strong flavour of local life, check out Timbuktu, where you’ll see how the three tribes/ethnic groups of Timbuktu get along.

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)

I Killed My Mother

I Killed My Mother Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

You haven’t heard of Xavier Dolan? He’s the young darling of the Cannes film festival, and he deserves all the praise he has got. He proves that you are never too young to start (he wrote this script when he was 16) just as Ridley Scott and Michael Haneke prove that you’re never too old to start (directing their first feature films at 40 and 47 respectively). So watch I Killed My Mother for a semi-autobiographical look at one of the brightest stars in the international film world.

Why Watch I Killed My Mother?

Watch the debut of one of the film industry’s brightest talents, Xavier Dolan. He’s only 27 year old!
For another dive into mother-son relationships (also watch his Cannes Jury Prize winner Mommy)
Just in case you didn’t think he was talented enough, Xavier also plays the protagonist in this semi-autobiographical drama
Get familiar with Francophone Canada!

The Breakdown

We love our mothers unknowingly and only realise how deep-rooted that love is at the ultimate separation.

First we see Hubert’s eyes, then his face, as he is being interviewed by the camera. He talks about his mother and says that he could be anybody’s son. A montage of fake butterflies and kitschy statues precede a slow motion shot of Hubert’s mum eating a cream cheese bagel. Hubert begrudgingly tells her to wipe some food off her face.

Next, Hubert’s mum is driving him to school. All we see is a front-on view of the two characters through the front wind-shield sitting in the front two seats. The scene proceeds as follows:

Hubert berates his mum for putting on her make-up while driving
Mum complains that Hubert never talks
Mum then turns up radio when she hears something of interest
Hubert hates the ‘news propaganda’ and shouts at her to turn it off
Mum doesn’t so Hubert puts in headphones
Mum asks why he never wants to talk any more

The first 10 minutes are a portrait of the difficulty of motherhood and the difficulty of adolescence. It is always a battle of very few words.

It is the moments away from his mother that we truly get to know Hubert. With his mother there is no sign of himself; his creativity, his homosexuality, his sophistication, and honesty. Instead, at home, stuck within his mother’s suffocating furnishing and poor fashion style, there is no room for him to be himself. This is shown when he returns home from a party on speed and urgently tells his mother that he has so much to say to her but not enough time or words to say it. In this moment we see that he wants to be understood by her, he wants to tell her everything, but he cannot. He, like many adolescents can never get back the openness of communication they had with their parents that they used to have during their childhood.

Conclusion

Xavier Dolan’s stylish debut feature is a testament of his talent (which has been justified at Cannes). Use of special features, like slow motion, montages, and intimate black and white interviews contribute to his style. He is an auteur (meaning he is a director with a distinguishable style) in a world where they are harder to come by. Do yourself a favour and check out this film, and then some more of his films (such as Mommy).