25 March 2011
23 March 2011
La permission de minuit
Director: Delphine Gleize.
This film tell us the story about friendship, love and passion with a homoerotic touch - the latter according to me (Gunnar) but according to Aurore it's just a father-and-son-relation, between a grown up man and a boy, both closely tied to each other for specific reasons.
A surgeon and dermatologist (David/Vincent Lindon), passionated about his work, tries to cure a young boy (Romain/Quentin Challal), afflicted by a genetical problem making him seriously sensible towards the UV-radiation ("un enfant de la lune"), forcing him to wear special protective clothes.
When David has to leave the clinic because he is offered a better job, he is forced to tell Romain this but this is hard, almost impossible for him to do as they have such a tight relationship.
A female doctor (Carlotta/Emmanuelle Devos) takes over the duties of David but as the latter finds it hard to leave, he tries to degrade her by telling her that she is not competent enough etc.
On the same time, Davids relationship with his, extremely patient, wife, is deteriorating because of his passion for his work - and for Romain.
Romain reacts in a very obstinate way and this leads to consequences. On the same time David can't let go of him, leading him - as indicated above - to conflicts with his female colleague, his wife and the mother of Romain.
Good acting and an interesting scenario, but the director focuses to much on the man and the boy and forgets the characters of Emmanuelle Devos and Caroline Proust (Davids wife Louise), making them very 'colorless' in the context and not least in relation to David/Vincent Lindon.
We saw it at Cinéma Lux, La Châtre.
A surgeon and dermatologist (David/Vincent Lindon), passionated about his work, tries to cure a young boy (Romain/Quentin Challal), afflicted by a genetical problem making him seriously sensible towards the UV-radiation ("un enfant de la lune"), forcing him to wear special protective clothes.
When David has to leave the clinic because he is offered a better job, he is forced to tell Romain this but this is hard, almost impossible for him to do as they have such a tight relationship.A female doctor (Carlotta/Emmanuelle Devos) takes over the duties of David but as the latter finds it hard to leave, he tries to degrade her by telling her that she is not competent enough etc.
On the same time, Davids relationship with his, extremely patient, wife, is deteriorating because of his passion for his work - and for Romain.
Romain reacts in a very obstinate way and this leads to consequences. On the same time David can't let go of him, leading him - as indicated above - to conflicts with his female colleague, his wife and the mother of Romain.Good acting and an interesting scenario, but the director focuses to much on the man and the boy and forgets the characters of Emmanuelle Devos and Caroline Proust (Davids wife Louise), making them very 'colorless' in the context and not least in relation to David/Vincent Lindon.
We saw it at Cinéma Lux, La Châtre.
(Poster copied from: http://www.anglesdevue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/LaPermissiondeminuit.jpg)
(Photo Vincent Lindon and copied from: Quentin Challal http://media.paperblog.fr/i/423/4232259/permission-minuit-delphine-gleize-L-L09BKA.jpeg)
(Photo Emmanuelle Devos copied from: http://www.surlarouteducinema.com/media/01/00/3790755179.jpg)
(Photo Emmanuelle Devos copied from: http://www.surlarouteducinema.com/media/01/00/3790755179.jpg)
21 March 2011
Konferenz der tiere/Animaux & Cie/Animals United
The trailer in German:
...in French:
...and in English:
...and it's a film about the importance of water, the misuse of our natural resources, cooperation in order to reach our goals or simply the earthly conditions as they are transformed by humans causing catastrophic consequences for all living creatures.
The scenario is however - and unfortunately - weak and one is constantly wondering if there are something more to this film than just releasing the water and how to achieve this goal - but no, it's not.
Even though the question per se is important this film doesn't add relevant information to what have been told before in documentaries or animated films. It doesn't provoke us to reflect on a deeper leve either. A pity.
A somewhat charming (as we often write when it's neither innovative nor exciting in any sense) piece of work but not more.
Directors: Reinhard Klooss and Holger Tappe.
The scenario is however - and unfortunately - weak and one is constantly wondering if there are something more to this film than just releasing the water and how to achieve this goal - but no, it's not.
Even though the question per se is important this film doesn't add relevant information to what have been told before in documentaries or animated films. It doesn't provoke us to reflect on a deeper leve either. A pity.
A somewhat charming (as we often write when it's neither innovative nor exciting in any sense) piece of work but not more.
Directors: Reinhard Klooss and Holger Tappe.
We watch it at Cinéma Lux in La Châtre.
20 March 2011
Steppdans/Tap Dance
A short by Pål Øie about a video store owner who is waiting for his last costumer,.
On the same time a voice-over (the video shop owner, the costumer...?)
is reflecting on what one as an individual can do (or could have done)
in order to improve ones life and others.
Outside his shop an angel is looking for one of his missing wings,
a very common event in Norway!
As you can see, this became an Øie-evening for us both (see below earlier blog).
On the same time a voice-over (the video shop owner, the costumer...?)
is reflecting on what one as an individual can do (or could have done)
in order to improve ones life and others.
Outside his shop an angel is looking for one of his missing wings,
a very common event in Norway!
As you can see, this became an Øie-evening for us both (see below earlier blog).
(Photo taken from: http://www.filmarkivet.no/v1/film/details.aspx?filmid=52041)
Stopp
Another short film from Pål Øie about how decisions,built on fear or prejudice, can result in undesirable consequences.
In this case the fear of the 'unknown', 'the different', 'the other' -
or 'others' and the possible inheritent threat they might constitute - or not.
Actors: Jørgen Langhelle, Simon Norrthon, Jan Tore Kristofffersen and Marianne Nielsen.
(Photo taken from: http://www.filmarkivet.no)
Brønnen
This film is also directed by Pål Øie and it's a short with another of Aurore's favourite Norwegian actors, Bjørn Sundquist in the role as a man who decides to act in a way that will change his and his wife's life forever and in a most dramatic way!In the role as his wife we see Charlotte Engelkes, to me/us more known as a performance artist with a wide range of different kinds of productions with different kinds of content, using her multilateralism as a singer, dancer and actress.
(Photo above taken from: http://imcdb.org/images/255/159.jpg)
(Photo below taken from: http://imcdb.org/images/255/166.jpg)
Villmark
Bjørn Floberg again! I'm writing this as Aurore always makes gargling sensous sounds when she sees him!
In this film he is the leader/boss of a TV-crew, leaving the city to spend some days in the forests and mountains in order to prepare themselves for a reality show on how to survive in the wilderness.
We know that the nature can be wild - not least obvious the last days in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami - but only humans can be deliberately evil and bad, as in this film.
Besides Bjørn Floberg's personality - with the charming name Gunnar(!) - we also get to meet Lasse (Kristoffer Joner), Per (Marko Iversen Kanic), Elin (Eva Röse) and Sara (Sampda Sharma), all part of the team Gunnar wants to put together and put to a test.
They spend their days in a cabin Gunnar used to visit during his childhood but soon disturbing events start to spread fear among the, initially, negligant group.
A dead woman is found in the lake, tied to a rope and a mysterious figure (or figures) is seen in the forest.
Now the reality of human 'darkness' in combination with the darkness in the forest, begin to deteriorate both relations within the group as well as the mental stability among the participants.
Historic events and the here and now-situation become interwoven in this psychological thriller.
Aurore jumped a couple of times!
In this film he is the leader/boss of a TV-crew, leaving the city to spend some days in the forests and mountains in order to prepare themselves for a reality show on how to survive in the wilderness.
We know that the nature can be wild - not least obvious the last days in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami - but only humans can be deliberately evil and bad, as in this film.
Besides Bjørn Floberg's personality - with the charming name Gunnar(!) - we also get to meet Lasse (Kristoffer Joner), Per (Marko Iversen Kanic), Elin (Eva Röse) and Sara (Sampda Sharma), all part of the team Gunnar wants to put together and put to a test.
They spend their days in a cabin Gunnar used to visit during his childhood but soon disturbing events start to spread fear among the, initially, negligant group.
A dead woman is found in the lake, tied to a rope and a mysterious figure (or figures) is seen in the forest.
Now the reality of human 'darkness' in combination with the darkness in the forest, begin to deteriorate both relations within the group as well as the mental stability among the participants.
Historic events and the here and now-situation become interwoven in this psychological thriller.
Aurore jumped a couple of times!
16 March 2011
Psalm 21
A Swedish horror film contaning the fight between good and evil, guilt and redemption, the living and the dead, imagination and reality, prejudice and tolerance, Freudian line of thoughts etc.
This film started quite well and - to comment on one thing - the 'scary' effects were quite good but after a while when the same effects within different 'objects'/bodies reappeared again and again, the repetitive pattern made us yawn.
In part a rather good screenplay and idea but not as well realized as it could have been.
In a 'Bergmanesque' tradition the father and son-relation within a religious context, constitute the base for the tormented main character and his visions and fears.
Using Jonas Malmsjö in the principal role, talking about his 'father the priest' to obviously connects to 'Fanny and Alexander' and his fathers - Jan Malmsjö - role in that film.
To much overacting and 'effects' blur the psychological drama that could have made this film a singular work.
In part a rather good screenplay and idea but not as well realized as it could have been.
In a 'Bergmanesque' tradition the father and son-relation within a religious context, constitute the base for the tormented main character and his visions and fears.
Using Jonas Malmsjö in the principal role, talking about his 'father the priest' to obviously connects to 'Fanny and Alexander' and his fathers - Jan Malmsjö - role in that film.
To much overacting and 'effects' blur the psychological drama that could have made this film a singular work.
15 March 2011
14 March 2011
Flammen & Citronen
A film about two (and more) Danish 'heroes' during WWII and their struggle to defeat the occupying Third Reich. About conflicts within the group, confidence, love, friendship, loss of dear ones, political cynism and more.
In its structure and theme it reminds us somewhat of the Norwegian film Max Manus, telling the 'real' story about a the resistance movement in Norway and one or two of its most significant members. In that film as in this one, the heroes are not as tough and unaffected by the attrocities during the war, as in many American films depicting similar events.
Good acting and a good film, though rather conventional in its mise-en-scène.
In the principal roles we see Thure Lindhardt ('Flammen') and Mads Mikkelsen ('Citronen').
Director: Ole Christian Madsen.
09 March 2011
Desperate living
A John Waters-evening:
The title of this film is very apt as it tells the story about a rich, spoiled and hysteric housewife who involves her house maid in the killing of her husband.
The two women then leaves the house and being on the run from 'justice' they meet a number of very odd personalities, like the fetishistic police officer, transsexuals, a sexually 'perverted' 'queen' and others, who all turn their life up and down and offer many chances to reevaluate their view on life.
This not least when they arrive to Mortville, a community of homeless people where nothing functions as they are used to.
It's an absurd and hilarious film where we are weaved into the personal universe of John Waters!
The two women then leaves the house and being on the run from 'justice' they meet a number of very odd personalities, like the fetishistic police officer, transsexuals, a sexually 'perverted' 'queen' and others, who all turn their life up and down and offer many chances to reevaluate their view on life.
This not least when they arrive to Mortville, a community of homeless people where nothing functions as they are used to.
It's an absurd and hilarious film where we are weaved into the personal universe of John Waters!
Paris/Austerlitz-Châteauroux
(Photo Gare d'Austerlitz taken from: http://www.paris-architecture.info/IMAGES/Gare_Paris-Austerlitz.jpg)(Photo Gare de Châteuroux taken from: http://fr.academic.ru/pictures/frwiki/71/Gare_de_chateauroux.jpg)
08 March 2011
Ciné Nordica Day 5 - 8th of March. International Women's Day
3 p.m: Svinalängorna/Beyond
Pernilla August
5 p.m: Tummien perhosten koti/La maison des papillons noir/The Home of the Dark Butterflies
Dome Karukoski
The Home of Dark Butterflies
envoyé par coolvibesinfo. - Regardez plus de films, séries et bandes annonces.
7 p.m: An-Magritt
Arne Skouen
As we can't find any trailers/bande-annonces for this film we display a photo from An-Magritt and trailer from another Skouen-film: Gategutter/Boys from the Streets
Liv Ullman
9 p.m: Salmer fra kjøkkenet/Chroniques de cuisine/Kitchen Stories
Bent Hamer
10.30 p.m: Rencontre avec Bruno Podalydès. Discussion with the audience around director Bent Hamer and his work.
(Photo Liv Ullman copied from: http://cinemateket-usf.no/images/An-Magritt_1.jpg)
Pernilla August
5 p.m: Tummien perhosten koti/La maison des papillons noir/The Home of the Dark Butterflies
Dome Karukoski
The Home of Dark Butterflies
envoyé par coolvibesinfo. - Regardez plus de films, séries et bandes annonces.
7 p.m: An-Magritt
Arne Skouen
As we can't find any trailers/bande-annonces for this film we display a photo from An-Magritt and trailer from another Skouen-film: Gategutter/Boys from the Streets
Liv Ullman9 p.m: Salmer fra kjøkkenet/Chroniques de cuisine/Kitchen Stories
Bent Hamer
10.30 p.m: Rencontre avec Bruno Podalydès. Discussion with the audience around director Bent Hamer and his work.
(Photo Liv Ullman copied from: http://cinemateket-usf.no/images/An-Magritt_1.jpg)
07 March 2011
06 March 2011
Ciné Nordica Day 3 - 6th of March
3 p.m: Sult/La Faim/Hunger
Henning Carlsen
With the amazing acting by Per Oscarsson (R.I.P.).
5 p.m: Submarino
Thomas Vinterberg
7 p.m: Varg Veum - Kvinnen i kjøleskapet/La femme dans le frigo/Woman in the Fridge
Alexander Eik
9 p.m: Käsky/Obéir/Tears of April
Aku Louhimies
Henning Carlsen
With the amazing acting by Per Oscarsson (R.I.P.).
5 p.m: Submarino
Thomas Vinterberg
7 p.m: Varg Veum - Kvinnen i kjøleskapet/La femme dans le frigo/Woman in the Fridge
Alexander Eik
9 p.m: Käsky/Obéir/Tears of April
Aku Louhimies
The Norwegian director Alexander Eik with whom we talked.
Ciné Nordica Day 2/3 - 5/6th of March
01.00 a.m: Flickan som lekte med elden /La fille qui rêvait d’un bidon d’essence et d’une allumette/The Girl Who Played With Fire
Daniel Alfredson
I samarbete med Filmtrailer.se
Daniel Alfredson
I samarbete med Filmtrailer.se
03.30 a.m: Luftslottet som sprängdes / La reine du palais des courants d’air/The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
Daniel Alfredson
06.00: Petit déjeuner suédois.
Daniel Alfredson
06.00: Petit déjeuner suédois.
05 March 2011
Ciné Nordica Day 2 - 5th of March
1 p.m: Frygtelig lykkelig/Terriblement Heureux/Terribly Happy
Henrik Ruben Genz
3 p.m: Maata meren alla/Reposer sous la mer/Overseas and Under Your Skin
Lenka Hellstedt.
6 p.m:
Musik Bar
7.30 p.m: Snabba Cash/L'argent facile/Easy Money
Daniel Espinosa
10 p.m: Män som hatar kvinnor/Les hommes qui n’aimaient pas les femmes/The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Niels Arden Oplev
Henrik Ruben Genz
3 p.m: Maata meren alla/Reposer sous la mer/Overseas and Under Your Skin
Lenka Hellstedt.
6 p.m:
Musik Bar
7.30 p.m: Snabba Cash/L'argent facile/Easy Money
Daniel Espinosa
10 p.m: Män som hatar kvinnor/Les hommes qui n’aimaient pas les femmes/The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Niels Arden Oplev
04 March 2011
Ciné Nordica Day 1 - 4th of March
This is the first day of Ciné Nordica in Paris, the Nordic (of course) film festival, hopefully becoming the worthy heir of Cinéma Nordique in Rouen, R.I.P.The festival is held at Le Cinéma Du Panthéon, 13 Rue Victor Cousin.
Aurore left La Châtre the third of March (Thursday) and I will join her on Sunday, leaving the center of France at 3 p.m.
5 p.m: Upperdog
Sara Johnsen
8 p.m: Svinalängorna/Beyond
Pernilla August
(Photo Cinéma Pantheon copied from: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2193448180_fd2c9e6244_o.jpg)
02 March 2011
The Cocoanuts. The Marx Brothers
This is - I think - the second film with the Marx Brothers. Not all of them as Gummo is missing but he never acted on film, more than in a more or less documentary one.
During the land boom in Florida, Groucho becomes the owner of a hotel and this hotel is frequented by - among others - Harpo and Chico and this in combination with the auction of some land, a jewel robbery and a lot of door closing- and -opening, makes it a rather typical Marx film.
It's by no means their best but already in this oeuvre one can see the seeds to their later master pieces.
I highly appreciate the Marx Brothers and a lot of their jokes are 'still going strong'!
In the photo below we see, from left to right: Groucho, Gummo, Minnie (mother), Zeppo, Frenchy (father), Chico and Harpo.
During the land boom in Florida, Groucho becomes the owner of a hotel and this hotel is frequented by - among others - Harpo and Chico and this in combination with the auction of some land, a jewel robbery and a lot of door closing- and -opening, makes it a rather typical Marx film.
It's by no means their best but already in this oeuvre one can see the seeds to their later master pieces.
I highly appreciate the Marx Brothers and a lot of their jokes are 'still going strong'!
In the photo below we see, from left to right: Groucho, Gummo, Minnie (mother), Zeppo, Frenchy (father), Chico and Harpo.
(Photo copied from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Early_marx_brothers_with_parents.jpg)
01 March 2011
Uro
Uro
Bande annonce vost publié par CineMovies.fr - Les sorties ciné en vidéo
Another film about a man who doesn't want to choose side in life and by doing so, betrays both sides in a conflict, finally deciding to 'sacrifice' himself and the truth for someone who doesn't care about him=A classic 'loser'.
We meet Hans Petter/HP (Nicolai Cleve Broch) a man who's left his 'old life' as a criminal and instead joined the police forces.
In doing so his past still haunt him and when working as undercover among drug dealers, he risks his own life and his colleagues because of to much risk taking.
His 'bear-leader' or mentor tries to guide him along but it's not easy and within the police force there is also an 'esprit de corps' that HP doesn't want to go along with.
HP is also reminded of his old loyalties, plunging deeper and deeper into the swamp of lies, conflicts, not taking sides when needed, heading for the imminent catastrophy.
The encounter with a woman with drug problems whose father is seated in the top of the pyramid but on the same time demanding her to live a decent life, also perturb our anti hero.
As many other Norwegian films, the acting is very good and the realism of the events is striking.
What bugs us is the main character himself and his cowardly behaviour.
Those he should oppose, he sides with and those who tries to help him, he let down and this makes HP - as stated above - into the very essence of a person who, afraid of conflicts and afraid of taking sides, betrays everyone, including himself.
Apart from this distasteful individual, the film is actually worth seeing, not least - as Aurore would point out - because we see Bjørn Floberg in one of the principal roles.
Director: Stefan Faldbakken.
We recommend the film.
We meet Hans Petter/HP (Nicolai Cleve Broch) a man who's left his 'old life' as a criminal and instead joined the police forces.
In doing so his past still haunt him and when working as undercover among drug dealers, he risks his own life and his colleagues because of to much risk taking.
His 'bear-leader' or mentor tries to guide him along but it's not easy and within the police force there is also an 'esprit de corps' that HP doesn't want to go along with.
HP is also reminded of his old loyalties, plunging deeper and deeper into the swamp of lies, conflicts, not taking sides when needed, heading for the imminent catastrophy.
The encounter with a woman with drug problems whose father is seated in the top of the pyramid but on the same time demanding her to live a decent life, also perturb our anti hero.
As many other Norwegian films, the acting is very good and the realism of the events is striking.
What bugs us is the main character himself and his cowardly behaviour.
Those he should oppose, he sides with and those who tries to help him, he let down and this makes HP - as stated above - into the very essence of a person who, afraid of conflicts and afraid of taking sides, betrays everyone, including himself.
Apart from this distasteful individual, the film is actually worth seeing, not least - as Aurore would point out - because we see Bjørn Floberg in one of the principal roles.
Director: Stefan Faldbakken.
We recommend the film.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)