Posts with the tag 'Foreign'
AMREEKA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Eager to provide a better future for her son, Fadi (Melkar Muallem), divorcée Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour) leaves her Palestinian homeland and takes up residence in rural Illinois — just in time to encounter the domestic repercussions of America’s disastrous war in Iraq. Now, the duo must reinvent their lives with some help from Muna’s sister, Raghda (Hiam Abbass), and brother-in-law, Nabeel (Yussuf Abu-Warda). Cherien Dabis writes and directs.” I saw this and found it very realistic and very well acted.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 23rd, 2009
2008. Directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Sayuri Yoshinaga, the movie is based on the writings of Teruyo Nogami. A beautiful story about a woman in 1940 Japan whose husband is jailed for “treason” when he speaks against Japanese agression. The film is about how she survives and cares for her family while he is in prison. Great movie! Netflix. 9/09
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 18th, 2009
APRES LUI- 2007. Directed by Gael Morel and starring the great Catherine Deneuve. About a woman who becomes obsessed with the young man (her son’s best friend) who was driving the car when her son was killed. A study of grief and it’s unpredictable nature well played by the master. I’d predict that you’ll like it or hate it. I liked it. Netflix. 9/09
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 16th, 2009
DEPARTURES- (OKURIBITO)- 2008. Directed by Yojiro Takita and starring Masahiro Motoki. A Japanese film about an unemployed cellist who trains (without his new wife’s knowledge) as a Nakanshi, someone who prepares the dead for burial. Great acting, great story and a great movie. This film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film of 2008. A MUST SEE! At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. 9/09
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 16th, 2009
CAPTAIN ABU RAED- 2008. Jordan. Directed by Amin Mataqa and starring Nadim Sawalha. A story about an older man who works as a janitor at Amman airport. He lost his wife 9 yrs. ago and feels that life is meaningless. When a group of children mistakes him for an airline pilot he tries only briefly to dissuade them and then makes up stories about his adventures. He becomes involved in a few of their lives in meaningful way. TRDB.
Here’s what Netflix had to say– “Premise by Netflix. “Airport janitor Abu Raed (Nadim Sawalha) has long wanted to travel the world, but he’s had to settle for imagined experiences through books and conversations. When a group of children mistakes him for a pilot, he captivates them with made-up tales of adventure. As he begins to form close friendships with these poor neighborhood kids, it dawns on him just how challenging their lives really are.”
2/10-The movie was very good but at times was a bit more theatrical then needed. I still liked it a lot. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival in 9/09.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 16th, 2009
LAILA’S BIRTHDAY- 2008. Ramallah. Directed by Rashid Masharawi and starring Mohammed Bakri. About a former judge who is working as a taxi driver. The film goes through his day as he works and tries to navigated the difficulties and frustrations of life in a Palestinian town and at the same time prepare for his daughter’s 7th. birthday. I loved the movie. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. 9/09
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 16th, 2009
UNDER THE BOMBS- 2007. Directed by Philippe Aractingi and starring Nada Abou Farhat and Georges Khabbaz. About a Lebanese woman who travels back to Lebanon from Dubai just after the Israeli invasion and cease fire in 2006 to look for her missing sister and son. Despite criticism of Israel the film was really about civilian casualties of war. Very good. Netflix Streaming. 9/09 
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 8th, 2009
STILL WALKING- About a Japanese family who gets together to remember a lost sibling. Very good reviews.
12/25/09- About an extended Japanese family having lost an adult child 12 yrs. earlier. They get together once a year in memory of the deceased. The family dynamics play out and the pain is revealed. I liked the movie very much and HIGHLY recommend it. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 5th, 2009
FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN- Premise by Netflix. “A powerful meditation on guilt, forgiveness and reconciliation, this potent drama stars Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt as two men on opposite sides of Northern Ireland’s political struggle: one a killer, the other the brother of the man he killed. In crafting his keenly sensitive film, director Oliver Hirschbiegel eschews the predictable to deliver a work of tremendous insight and emotional complexity.”
4/10- Very well done with great acting. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 5th, 2009
2007. Directed by Enrique Fernandez and Cesar Charlone and starring Cesar Troncoso. The Pope is about to visit a small town in Uruguay and the townsfolk are looking for ways to profit from the thousands of people coming for the visit. The movie is about a man who decides to install a public toilet and charge for it’s use. Very slow and probably not worth the effort. Netflix. 8/09 
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 5th, 2009
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