Posts filed under 'Foreign'
MIRAL- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After she rescues dozens children who survived a massacre in Jerusalem in 1948, Palestinian Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass) establishes an orphanage that helps thousands of other children left homeless by violence. But the success of her peace-through-education institution is tested when pupil Miral (Freida Pinto) gets a taste of radical politics in the region’s refugee camps. Julian Schnabel directs this film that co-stars Willem Dafoe.” Uniformly poor reviews but the film does sound interesting. TRDB.
This film stirred controversy when it’s opening was held at the UN as it was an unusual place for a film opening, particularly since it was felt by some to be anti-Israel. TRDB.
7/16/11- I feel that the movie was just fair and it absolutely portrayed the Israelis in a negative light including a torture scene. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
MY PERESTROIKA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “An intimate look at five longtime friends who grew up shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, this documentary sheds light on how Russians have adapted to post-Soviet society and their nation’s continually shifting political landscape. Interweaving decades-old home movie footage with captivating tales of contemporary life, director Robin Hessman’s enlightening movie illustrates the stark contrast between Moscow then and now.” Very good reviews and this one sounds interesting. TRDB.
7/26/12- This movie got excellent reviews so I watched the entire film but I found it incredibly boring. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
THE SWIMSUIT ISSUE- Premise by Netflix. “Unfortunately for the guys on Sweden’s only all-male synchronized swim team, a passion for their sport does not necessarily equal a proficiency in it. But that’s not going to stop them in their quest for gold in this comedy from Mans Herngren. Determined to prove naysayers wrong, the middle-aged mermen work first to improve their swimming and then synchronize it as they fervently pursue their ultimate goal — the world championship.” Weak reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
DEAR PYONGYANG- 2005. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Yonghi Yang divides her time behind and in front of the camera in this poignant exploration of family, place and identity, a 2006 Sundance prize winner. To better understand her father’s fierce loyalty to Communist North Korea — and the personal sacrifices that resulted from his political convictions — Yang candidly questions her father about his beliefs, revealing a complex man shaped by both emotional and ideological forces.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
3/11- An interesting documentary but I felt that the film lacked a certain passion that would be inherent in a family that had sent all 3 of their sons from Japan, where they lived, to live permanently in North Korea. Still lots of unanswered questions. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 5th, 2011
STRANGERS NO MORE- 2010. Premise by IMDB. “In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from forty-eight different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn. Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogozin School fleeing poverty, political adversity and even genocide. Here, no child is a stranger. The film follows several students’ struggle to acclimate to life in a new land while slowly opening up to share their stories of hardship and tragedy: Mohammed, a sixteen-year-old refugee from Darfur, witnessed the killing of his grandmother and father before escaping alone through Egypt to Israel. Having never been in a school before, his sharp mind and tremendous determination enable him to make up the years of study he never had. Johannes arrived at Bialik-Rogozin after spending most of his life in refugee camps across the Middle East. His father struggles to obtain a work visa while twelve-year-old Johannes struggles to adjust to attending school for the first time.” This movie won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Documentary- Short Subject. TRDB.
4/11- The concept of this school is very interesting and appears to be working. The film was well done and we learned a lot about the students and the system in this 40min. documentry. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Seen at Temple Shaaray Tefila.
Tags: documentary
March 1st, 2011
BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmed in his native New Zealand, this comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark) follows 11-year-old Boy and his younger brother, Rocky, whose rich fantasy lives are stopped cold when their father returns home after years away. Although Boy has imagined that his father (Waititi) is a dashing, accomplished hero who is related to Michael Jackson, in reality he is a failed gangster seeking to restore his family’s faith in him.” Good audience reviews. TRDB.
3/2/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6/26/14– I enjoyed this film much more than the premise would indicate. Great acting by the kid (Boy). TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 27th, 2011
CRACKS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Jordan Scott — daughter of helmer Ridley Scott — makes her directing debut with this thriller set at a British all-girls boarding school between World War I and II and starring Eva Green as a popular teacher and coach of the swim team. When a new girl arrives at the cliquish and hormonally charged institution, jealousies erupt, obsessions arise and, eventually, a student disappears in this film that also stars Juno Temple and María Valverde.” Mainly poor reviews so far. OK review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
7/23/11- A distinctly strange movie that was mildly enjoyable at times. An all female cast as well in this film. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 27th, 2011
ILLEGAL- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Olivier Masset-Depasse directs this drama that follows the story of Tania (Anne Coesens) and her teenage son, Ivan (Alexandre Gontcharov), Russian immigrants who are in Belgium illegally. Tania lives in fear of being found out — and one day, her worst nightmare becomes a reality. During a routine police check, Tania is apprehended — but she refuses to accept the fact that she’ll be deported and separated from her son.” Reviews not so good so far but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
7/12/11- A very depressing look at the plight of illegal immigrants, this time in Belgium, but could be anywhere. Well acted, this film received very good professional reviews but mediocre audience reaction, probably because it was so down-beat. I enjoyed the film and would recommend it but not if you’re in a bad mood. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 26th, 2011
HEARTBEATS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Lush cinematography and poetic images highlight this coming-of-age tale about two best friends, Mary (Monia Chokri) and Francis (Xavier Dolan), who meet a charismatic wanderer named Nick (Niels Schneider) and suddenly find their longtime friendship tested to its limits. As the love triangle between the three intensifies, Mary and Francis vie for Nick’s affections in this intense story from Dolan, the Canadian prodigy who writes and directs.” Reviews more positive than negative and a few very good.
7/31/11- Not much to this French movie and I turned it off midway through. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 14th, 2011
THE ROUNDUP (LA RAFLE)- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This gripping drama based on a true story follows the fate of three carefree Parisian boys and their families as Nazi officials and corrupt French collaborators arrest them — along with thousands of other French Jews — in 1942. Shipped to a holding facility until they can be sent to concentration camps, the lads encounter a weary Jewish doctor (Jean Reno) and a kindly Christian nurse (Mélanie Laurent). Roselyne Bosch directs.” Good audience reviews.
4/11- A true and difficult film to watch, this well done docudrama portrays a piece of history that is unfortunately not well known. Recommended with a warning that this film will evoke a powerful emotional response. TRDB. At the Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
11/16/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 10th, 2011
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