WHISPERING PAGES
(Russia/Germany)
This is cold, dark, depressing cinema as only a few Russian directors can create. It's ''Whispering Pages'' by Alexander Sokurov, recognized as the only legitimate heir to the late Andrei Tarkovsky. This tedious film will appeal only to a few brave festgoers and committed cineastes.
''Whispering Pages'' chronicles a midnight visit to the brooding streets, caverns and apartments of St. Petersburg of the past century, principally as sketched in Dostoyevsky's ''Notes from the Underground'' and ''Crime and Punishment.''
As is common in Sokurov's cinema, camera movements are almost painfully slow, protagonists appear to be rooted to the ground and only dim rays of light illuminate the characters much of the time. Raskolnikov's well-known confession scene from ''Crime and Punishment, '' which occurs toward the end of the film, brings to ''Whispering Pages'' a bit of needed meaning and depth. It's one of the few literary segments worth waiting for.
''TICHIE STRANICY'' (WHISPERING PAGES) (Russia/Germany). Eskomfilm, Syktyvkar, North Foundation (St. Petersburg), Zero-Film (Berlin)
Producers: Vladimir Fotiev, Martin Hagemann, Thomas Kufus. Director/Screenwriter: Alexander Sokurov. Photography: Alexander Burov. Cast: Alexander Cherednik (Hero), Elisaveta Koroleva (Girl), Sergei Barkovsky (Civil Servant).
77 mins, black-and-white, color
LAW OF COURAGE
(Italy)
Alessandro di Robilant's ''Law of Courage'' is another in an ongoing series of Italian anti-Mafia films based on fact. As a detailed tele-feature, its purpose is to inform. And although the message is wrapped in the guise of a fast-paced political thriller, the market is still television with a possible spinoff at international festivals.
This is the story of Sicilian district attorney Rosario Livatino, the ''boy judge'' (''Il Giudice Richter''), who was assassinated in 1991 for investigating killings ordered by warring Mafia families in the provinces.
The screenplay in turn is based on a book by Nando Della Chiesa, the son of the general murdered by the Mafia in 1982. And it opens with an actual speech given by Livatino in 1984 titled ''The Role of the Judge in a Changing Society, '' the apparent reason why he was murdered.
Giulio Scarpati portrays without sentimentality the determined district attorney who lived by a moral code, one who also knew he was marked for death by the Mafia. Unfortunately, the musical score doesn't let us forget this either.
''IL GIUDICE RAGAZZINO'' (LAW OF COURAGE) (Italy). RCS Films & TV, RAI 2
(Rome)
Director: Alessandro Di Robilant. Screenwriters: Andrea Purgatori, Ugo Pirro, based on a book by Nando Dalla Ciesa. Photography: David Scott. Cast: Giulio Scarpati (Rosario Livatino), Sabrina Ferilli (Angela Guarnera).
92 mins, color
SOMETHING FISHY
(France)
The bright side of this quirky hard-boiled detective story by Tonie Marshall is anti-heroine Anemone, who carries the story effortlessly despite dips and turns in the narrative.
''Something Fishy'' is a Gallic cross between Peter Falk's seedy Columbo and Raymond Chandler's stubborn travel-by-night private eyes.
The weak side of the ledger is three stories in one. First, we're introduced to Maxime's (Anemone) AC/DC male/female relations, then her renewed acquaintance with a long-neglected 17-year-old son and finally to a portrait of a tired and vulnerable detective caught in the middle of a murder case that leads right to the door of Maxime's ex-husband, a crooked real estate dealer. The meat of the film is found in the third segment.
This second feature of Marshall -- the daughter of American director William Marshall and French actress Micheline Presle -- confirms she's a promising directorial talent. Presle herself makes a commanding cameo appearance as the distraught widow of the murdered man.
''PAS TRES CATHOLIQUE'' (SOMETHING FISHY) (France). Les Productions du 3eme Etage (Paris), AB Films, M6 Films, Planetes et Compagnie.
Producer: Michel Propper, Frederic Bourboulon. Director/Screenwriter: Tonie Marshall. Photography: Dominique Chapius. Cast: Anenome (Maxime), Gregoire Colin (Baptiste).
100 mins, color
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
(Russia/Germany)
This is cold, dark, depressing cinema as only a few Russian directors can create. It's ''Whispering Pages'' by Alexander Sokurov, recognized as the only legitimate heir to the late Andrei Tarkovsky. This tedious film will appeal only to a few brave festgoers and committed cineastes.
''Whispering Pages'' chronicles a midnight visit to the brooding streets, caverns and apartments of St. Petersburg of the past century, principally as sketched in Dostoyevsky's ''Notes from the Underground'' and ''Crime and Punishment.''
As is common in Sokurov's cinema, camera movements are almost painfully slow, protagonists appear to be rooted to the ground and only dim rays of light illuminate the characters much of the time. Raskolnikov's well-known confession scene from ''Crime and Punishment, '' which occurs toward the end of the film, brings to ''Whispering Pages'' a bit of needed meaning and depth. It's one of the few literary segments worth waiting for.
''TICHIE STRANICY'' (WHISPERING PAGES) (Russia/Germany). Eskomfilm, Syktyvkar, North Foundation (St. Petersburg), Zero-Film (Berlin)
Producers: Vladimir Fotiev, Martin Hagemann, Thomas Kufus. Director/Screenwriter: Alexander Sokurov. Photography: Alexander Burov. Cast: Alexander Cherednik (Hero), Elisaveta Koroleva (Girl), Sergei Barkovsky (Civil Servant).
77 mins, black-and-white, color
LAW OF COURAGE
(Italy)
Alessandro di Robilant's ''Law of Courage'' is another in an ongoing series of Italian anti-Mafia films based on fact. As a detailed tele-feature, its purpose is to inform. And although the message is wrapped in the guise of a fast-paced political thriller, the market is still television with a possible spinoff at international festivals.
This is the story of Sicilian district attorney Rosario Livatino, the ''boy judge'' (''Il Giudice Richter''), who was assassinated in 1991 for investigating killings ordered by warring Mafia families in the provinces.
The screenplay in turn is based on a book by Nando Della Chiesa, the son of the general murdered by the Mafia in 1982. And it opens with an actual speech given by Livatino in 1984 titled ''The Role of the Judge in a Changing Society, '' the apparent reason why he was murdered.
Giulio Scarpati portrays without sentimentality the determined district attorney who lived by a moral code, one who also knew he was marked for death by the Mafia. Unfortunately, the musical score doesn't let us forget this either.
''IL GIUDICE RAGAZZINO'' (LAW OF COURAGE) (Italy). RCS Films & TV, RAI 2
(Rome)
Director: Alessandro Di Robilant. Screenwriters: Andrea Purgatori, Ugo Pirro, based on a book by Nando Dalla Ciesa. Photography: David Scott. Cast: Giulio Scarpati (Rosario Livatino), Sabrina Ferilli (Angela Guarnera).
92 mins, color
SOMETHING FISHY
(France)
The bright side of this quirky hard-boiled detective story by Tonie Marshall is anti-heroine Anemone, who carries the story effortlessly despite dips and turns in the narrative.
''Something Fishy'' is a Gallic cross between Peter Falk's seedy Columbo and Raymond Chandler's stubborn travel-by-night private eyes.
The weak side of the ledger is three stories in one. First, we're introduced to Maxime's (Anemone) AC/DC male/female relations, then her renewed acquaintance with a long-neglected 17-year-old son and finally to a portrait of a tired and vulnerable detective caught in the middle of a murder case that leads right to the door of Maxime's ex-husband, a crooked real estate dealer. The meat of the film is found in the third segment.
This second feature of Marshall -- the daughter of American director William Marshall and French actress Micheline Presle -- confirms she's a promising directorial talent. Presle herself makes a commanding cameo appearance as the distraught widow of the murdered man.
''PAS TRES CATHOLIQUE'' (SOMETHING FISHY) (France). Les Productions du 3eme Etage (Paris), AB Films, M6 Films, Planetes et Compagnie.
Producer: Michel Propper, Frederic Bourboulon. Director/Screenwriter: Tonie Marshall. Photography: Dominique Chapius. Cast: Anenome (Maxime), Gregoire Colin (Baptiste).
100 mins, color
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 2/14/1994
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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