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Reviews
La otra conquista (1998)
A film that will open your eyes and convert others to see.
A superb and wonderful foreign film, that I will always remember. This movie translates the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1520, discussing the other side of the story, of which, not many of us have not heard about. As the Aztecs and their territories are taken over by the Spanish, they are forced to convert their religion and spirituality into a more civilized life of Christianity. Topiltzin, the main character and one of the survivors of the massacre is taken and forced out of his will to change and convert into a new culture and spirituality. Many contents from this film is relative to the Catholic-Christian religion. Topiltzin can be seen as a Christ-like figure in the movie, and many of his situations are similar to Jesus Christ and His events in life. Also, the Spaniards are seen with crosses throughout the movie, placing a brand of Christianity throughout their settings, but their actions can be seen contradictory to their beliefs. This film has affected me spiritually because it teaches me that though many cultures may have other gods and beliefs, all together we are all alike. This film touches on honor, respect, and love for all beliefs and religion. A great film that shows appreciation and recognition for all beliefs. It is easily relatable, no matter who you are, where you're from, and what you believe in. This film will just open up your eyes.
Fa yeung nin wah (2000)
The right mood for love.
This movie turns you into a fly on the wall. As two couples move in simultaneously in to a building. Mr. Chow and his wife, and Ms. Chan and her husband move in right next door from each other. As the story progresses, both Mr. Chow's wife and Ms. Chan's husband become less existent in their lives and in the movie. The void left from Mr. Chow and Ms. Chan's spouses, brings the two together creating a new profound relationship. This love story of mixed emotions, is one that can never been forgotten. The progression of this story is cut into many different time shots, but does not change the direction of the story. This film asks for emotion and the memory not only from the movie but the audience. This story leaves us with the notion of what may happen later. The filmmaker controls what we see, but audience control our expectations and what they hope will happen. The filmmaker also leaves the story open for us to question.
Yuki yukite, shingun (1987)
A battle to reveal the truth.
This incredible Japanese documentary puts you on the spot to sit and experience the hunt to expose the truth of the events of the war in the Pacific. A Japanese war veteran does his will to open up the past and find the truth on why some soldiers were killed by their own men in New Guinea. The horrible truth leads to cannibalism. The Japanese war veteran uses different tactics in order to get the truth out, from using violence and threats to gaining pity by getting the dead soldiers siblings involved. Though at times he is seen contradictory to his own beliefs, he believes he is sent on this mission for justification of the family members of the dead soldiers and to educate the future. His long battle in search for the truth leaves you with a shocking ending that truly expresses his passion and perception of the Japanese government. He makes his stand known and will never back down.
Le fantôme de la liberté (1974)
A movie turned upside down.
This film is my absolute favorite foreign film. It's like watching a painting in motion with the theme of "Phantom Liberty" accented all the way through the film. This film takes us through many arbitrary bizarre episodes that are cleverly transitioned from one episode to the next. We follow every random character with their everyday life, but we are left thinking "What the hell is happening?" but it is due to that theme of "Phantom Liberty." It's almost like playing opposite day, everything is just turned topsy turvy. The movie starts off with the with a humorous insight to Napoleonic invasion in Bunuel's (director) point of view and ends with the image of the invasion with the track heard in the beginning, bringing the movie back to where it first started. This movie points out the chances people face in life and the thought of actual uncontrollable freedom, free to do whatever you want with no rules holding you back. This movie will make will make you smile and laugh, but most of all think.
El espíritu de la colmena (1973)
He's alive!!
A brilliant perspective of the dilemmas from knowing what is good and bad. This movie in wonderfully made, giving you chills with every suspenseful scene. I feel that the filmmaker does not intend to make it scary, but leave you with the sense of what might happen or what actually happened. Ana, the main character of the movie deals with identifying what is good and what is bad. Some factors of identifying what is good and bad is seen through her knowledge of mushrooms and Frankenstein. By the end of the movie we are left with questions and assumptions of reality and fantasy. No matter what you make of it, the plays with your imagination.
Dom za vesanje (1988)
A ride through one's perspective and imagination.
This film is one of my favorite foreign films. It presents crossing genres of tragedy, romance, and comedy, fusing both realism and fantasy together. This film takes us on an outrageous yet memorable journey with Pehran, a young male brought by a gypsy culture. We are also presented with dream-like imagery from Pehran's point of view and imagination. His telekinetic power is just one of those certain fictional images seen in this film. As I become lost in Pehran's mind and imagination, I live each moment along with him from his growth to expectations to his obstacles and finally till his death. We might not agree with his decisions, but we strap ourselves down for his wild ride. This film takes you away from your everyday life and eases you into a whole new world with different perceptions, cultures, and obstacles added with fantasy and illusions through one young man's mind.
Idi i smotri (1985)
It will educate and blow your mind.
Not only did this movie educate me on history and war, but it also detached me from my own reality and taken me somewhere I have never been. I have seen similar movies, such as Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, and Defiance, but what made it more compelling is the main character and his point of view and growth within the movie. The movie primarily focuses on the main character, Florya and his growth within the war. The filmmaker highlights Florya's 5 senses to leave a mark with the audiences on the actualities of the tragic event. At the end we are left with the feeling we have been through what Florya has been through. What affects me the most was the ending, when an old looking Florya shoots the picture of Adolph Hitler and the jump shots of Hitler from his recent times moving backwards till he was a baby. What I understood from this scene was that with every shot he fires we see Hitler's image move backwards in time, I understand that Hitler began as an innocent child with no education of war, which mirrors Florya from the beginning of the movie, when his mom says that he is only a child. I also noticed that the filmmaker also stresses images of children and babies throughout the war, in mind that we children symbolizes life and innocence. This movie will blow your mind.