Post: #201

Polish cinema


Wojciech Smarzowski

The Wedding (Wesele), 2004

An adaptation of an important piece of Polish culture - Stanisław Wyspiański's play of that title from 1901. Smarzowski's film updates the original's critical, sarcastic exposure of 19th-century Polish society. Against the backdrop of the wedding of the pregnant daughter of a rich villager who marries her off to a man who agrees to take her for his wife in exchange for a modern sports car, Smarzowski drew a caricature of Polish society and all its national sins. To evade the cold, calculating gangster who delivered the sports car, the father bribes a notary, a policeman and even the priest.


The Dark House (Dom zły), 2009

Set during martial law in Poland in the 1980s. In the Bieszczady Mountains in remote southeast Poland, an unemployed zootechnics specialist with a dark past and a growing drinking problem tries to start over with a clean slate. Taking up a new job at a State Agricultural Farm in the region, he makes an accidental stopover in a farmhouse. He stays for the night with a random family.






Rose (Róża), 2011

In summer 1945 Tadeusz Mazur, an officer of the Armia Krajowa and veteran of the Warsaw uprising, whose wife was raped and murdered by the Germans, moves to Masuria, a region in former German East Prussia, which became part of Poland as a result of the Potsdam Agreement after World War II. He visits Róża, a widow of a German Wehrmacht soldier whose death Tadeusz had witnessed, to hand over her husband’s possessions. Róża invites Tadeusz to stay at her farm to protect her against marauders and the brutal rapes she had previously experienced in the lawless atmosphere of postwar Masuria.






Traffic Department (Drogówka), 2013

Set on the streets of contemporary Warsaw, seven policemen from the eponymous Traffic Department are colleagues and good friends who work hard and party hard. The plot thickens when one dies in mysterious circumstances and his colleague, Sgt. Ryszard Król, is accused of being involved. Attempting to clear his record, Król discovers the truth about links between government and criminals.






The Mighty Angel (Pod Mocnym Aniołem), 2014

Jerzy is a celebrity writer and a chronic alcoholic who camouflages his drinking problem with his wits and charm. As a frequent visitor of the rehab center, he meets fellow addicts from all walks of life and social backgrounds.






Volhynia (Wołyń), 2016

Despite being in love with a Ukrainian boy from the same village, Polish girl named Zosia is forced into marrying a wealthy widower. Soon World War II begins and ethnic tensions arise. Amidst the war chaos Zosia tries to survive. Good illustration of what happened on Polish borderlands during the WW2.






Władysław Pasikowski

Psy (Pigs), 1992

In communist regime Franz Maurer and his partners from secret police used to live like kings. Now, they all must adapt to new post-communist environment where they are scorned and losing all the privileges. Some, like Franz, are like ordinary police fighting against drug dealers. But Franz would soon find that some of his friends are on the other side.


Psy 2: Ostatnia krew (Pigs 2, Last blood), 1994

Franz Maurer, a compromised cop, former officer of the criminal department of the Warsaw's police, is released from prison where he was doing time for his brutality and murders. He is awaited by the New, his fellow-policeman. At the same time, a merciless war continues in former Yugoslavia. Wolf and William, two high rank officers, come to Poland in order to organize a network selling and smuggling arms to Yugoslavia by way of Albania.


Andrzej Wajda

Ziemia obiecana (Promised Land), 1975

At the turn of the century, Lodz, Poland was a quick-paced manufacturing center for textiles, replete with cutthroat industrialists and unsafe working conditions. Three young friends, a Pole, a Jew and a German, pool their money together to build a factory. The movie follows their ruthless pursuit of fortune. It has a bit leftist spirit but it is a splendid watch.


Stanislaw Bareja

Miś (Teddy Bear), 1981

Rysiek (Stanisław Tym, who also wrote the screenplay), the shrewd manager of a state-sponsored sports club, has to get to London before his ex-wife Irena (Barbara Burska) does to collect an enormous sum of money from a savings account the two used to share in happier days.

Hilarity ensues as Bareja gives the audience a guided tour of the corruption, absurd bureaucracy, pervasive bribery and flourishing black market that pervaded socialism in the People's Republic of Poland.


Marek Koterski

Nic śmiesznego (Nothing funny), 1995

Tracks the hilariously bumbling, calamity-ridden life of director Adam Miauczyński. Both his career and his romantic relationships are suffering, but, since his total lack of common sense is at the root of his problems, he has no idea how to set things right again.

Dzień świra (A day of wacko), 2002

24 hours in the bitter life of a frustrated divorced teacher who stays in the vicious circle of his numerous obsessions.


Olaf Lubaszenko

Chlopaki nie płaczą (Boys don’t cry) (2000)

A satirical look at the gangsters of Poland and some teens who accidentally get involved with them.

Poranek kojota (2001)

Kuba, a young cartoon artist who works as a waiter at sophisticated parties, falls in love with beautiful Noemi and accidentally gets involved in gangster affairs.

Juliusz Machulski

Kiler (Killer), 1997

An innocent cab driver Jurek Kiler is mistaken for a contract killer and imprisoned. Soon, he is sprung by a mob boss who needs "Killer" for a few more jobs.

Kilerów 2-óch (2 killers), 1999

Jurek Kiler (see the prequel to this movie, "Kiler") has become a VIP - sponsoring the Polish government, playing tennis with the President, and stuff. He must oversee a transfer of a substantial amount of gold. However, in his past activities, he has made enemies. Mighty ones. And thus Jurek Kiler's next adventure begins as he has to face attempts at kidnapping, assassinations, and problems in his love life.




These movies are my personal favourite. They will give you plenty of insight into Polish culture, history, customs and sense of humour. Recommended for everyone interested in Poland.

Post: #202

(09-14-2016 12:44 PM)Soyouz Wrote:  Millennium Mambo :
Taiwanese movie with a cute actress (Shu Qi). She works as a hostess in a trendy bar, and is torn between two men, her loser boyfriend who treats her like shit, and a rich man.

Great film!

Captures memories of time and place in an indelible way. Even though it was made by an old Taiwanese man, I imagine this is very close to what a sexy young girl's emotions are like.

Basically this movie is watching her walk around. There is something intoxicating about it. I am very hazy on the details, but I think I remember a sequence where she goes to Japan in the winter.

I think if a dude wanted to put himself in the shoes of a young babe's lifestyle (constant attention, emotions, drama, invited to cool places, going to visit "friends" every which where, constant stimulation) this would be a good movie to start with. There is that inkling that something, somewhere, is not quite right. That time is running short. That everything is fleeting.

But it's just slithering in the undercurrent.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien is a great director. The movie he made before this one, Flowers Of Shanghai, is a masterpiece. But you must be prepared to deal with a snail's pace. It's about brothels in 19th century Shanghai.

Post: #203

Where do you guys watch these movies? They are not your typical choice from torrents or streaming sites.

Post: #204

Buy/rent dvds (back when that was a thing), go see them in repertory cinemas, trusting boutique labels (like Criterion).

The library is the best option.

Mostly, once you get into the cinema from a specific region and time period, if you read a few things it will become apparent which are the "must see" movies that have stood the test of time.

I also belong to a private art cinema torrent site.

Post: #205

An 1988 Japanese animated film about a teenage boy protecting his young sister after being orphaned during the firebombing of Kobe. Based on a short story, the author was reluctant to have it produced as a film because he felt young people born after the war don't possess the empathy to play such roles. This animated film does what no acted film could ever do. A powerful and heartbreaking film, especially when you consider this happened thousands of times over during the Allied bombing campaign of Japan.

Warning: this film will haunt you for days.

Full video below:

Post: #206

I will mention this movie as a good example of realistic and dare I say red pill history movie. But only con is that is Serbian movie and I am not completely sure if it ever got English subtitles. I will put link for watching it later if I find it.

Movie is Banovich Strahinja, translated as "duke Strahinja" or something similar. It is based on old Serbian legend.

PLOT:
Strahinja is lord somewhere in Serbia. Its year 1388, shortly before Battle of Kosovo and end of medieval Christian Serbia. Gangs of akinji Ottoman marauders patrol along the borders of Serbia. One of these gangs, led by Alija, breaks into Strahinja's castle while Strahinja is away. He kills Strahinja's men and kidnaps his wife.
Strahinja comes home and declares that he will find Alija and put his head on a spike in his castle. Basically he searches for his wife, despite (listen to this) Church authorities and lords telling him to forget her. As basically she is one of "them" now. When I watched movie, I remembered this old red pill fact that women will at first fight against invader but later would gladly sleep with them.
Strahinja's wife does exactly that.

Franco Nero plays Strahinja, Alija is played by Dragan Nikolich and wife by Sanja Vejnovich (now milf and even in FHM years ago).

Movie has beautiful soundtrack in form of traditional orthodox music mixed with music about heroes.

Whole movie





If someone finds one with english subtitles, watch it.

Post: #207

"Brat" is an old Russian film about the post-communist state of affairs during the 90's. It was recommended to me by a russian chick. Very insightful about the living conditions, also just a good regular movie.

Post: #208

Land of Mine. A joint German/Danish film about young German soldiers, many of which are teenagers, being forced to clear German-laid minefields in Denmark after the war. It centers around a Danish NCO, angry at the Germans for the death, destruction and famine laid upon his country, as well as young German conscripts forced to clean up the mess their nation made. The film is simple and does not delve much into character back stories, however its simplicity makes it great. One of the top foreign films I've seen that discusses a topic never spoken of.

Post: #209

(01-17-2017 01:40 AM)sterling_archer Wrote:  Where do you guys watch these movies? They are not your typical choice from torrents or streaming sites.

Personally i use Private movie trackers mostly. need a good internet connection and to be able to leave your computer on or have a seedbox. well worth it

Post: #210

Late posting about this but anyone seen the movie Paul Verhoeven's Elle?

Elle along with Mike Nichol's Closer are two of the most honest depictions of the nature of women I've ever seen on film. Interested to hear what other forum members think.

Here are some of my favorites from the 21st century:

Children of Men, Alfonso Cuaron
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Michel Gondry
There Will be Blood, Paul Thomas Anderson
Elle, Paul Verhoeven
4 Months, 3 Weeks and Two Days, Cristian Mungiu
Un Prophete, Jacques Audiard
Mulholland Drive, David Lynch
City of God, Fernando Merielles & Katia Lund
In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar Wai
No Country for Old Men, Joel and Ethan Coen
A History of Violence, David Cronenberg
Rust and Bone, Jacques Audiard
Road to Perdition, Sam Mendes
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Andrew Dominik
Enter The Void, Gaspar Noe
Inglorious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino
Eastern Promises, David Cronenberg
Hunger, Steve McQueen
Closer, Mike Nichols
Y Tu Mama Tambien, Alejandro Gonzalez Inaritu

Post: #211

Leviathan- This film is about an ordinary Russian guy's struggles against the city who wants to tear down his house. Hits on a lot of relevant stuff in contemporary Russia especially corruption. Ironically this film was partially funded by the Russian ministry of culture, and they tried to stop the film from screening after they found out what it was really about-- it's anti-establishment message.

Post: #212

Just watched this a while back. It's a South Korean war film based off of the true story of Yang Kyoungjong. The only soldier in WW2 to fight for 3 different sides in the war. He was eventually captured by Americans at Normandy, which means he was transferred between 4 different militaries at some point during the war. The cinematography in this movie was absolutely amazing, but the script could have been written better. Some critics thought that the score was maudlin as well.
However, I would still highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes WW2 history.

Post: #213

To anyone interested in Russian culture, I highly recommend watching the movie Brat with Sergei Bodrov. IMO, this movie was amazing considering the fact that it only had a budget of 10,000 dollars. The movie takes place around the time of the fall of the Iron curtain and does a very good job of portraying Russia at that time.

Post: #214

"A Taxi Driver"
About a taxi driver driving a journalist around during the 1980 Gwangju Uprising

Post: #215

I Stand Alone

Movie is I Stand Alone (French) by Gaspar Noe

Btw, how do I get the thumbnail of a youtube video like everyone else does?

Post: #216

I have yet to watch it, but I was told by a dinner guest (who served in the Soviet military in the mid-late 80s) that 9e Escadron was a very good portrayal of "how things were". It follows a unit of Soviet troops deployed to Afghanistan. Most of the clips on YouTube are in french; the english subtitles for this clip are so-so.





English trailer:

Post: #217

(02-01-2017 03:56 PM)RIslander Wrote:  An 1988 Japanese animated film about a teenage boy protecting his young sister after being orphaned during the firebombing of Kobe. Based on a short story, the author was reluctant to have it produced as a film because he felt young people born after the war don't possess the empathy to play such roles. This animated film does what no acted film could ever do. A powerful and heartbreaking film, especially when you consider this happened thousands of times over during the Allied bombing campaign of Japan.

Warning: this film will haunt you for days.

Full video below:

Grave of the fireflies?

Post: #218

(01-09-2019 06:06 AM)Rush_More Wrote:  

(02-01-2017 03:56 PM)RIslander Wrote:  An 1988 Japanese animated film about a teenage boy protecting his young sister after being orphaned during the firebombing of Kobe. Based on a short story, the author was reluctant to have it produced as a film because he felt young people born after the war don't possess the empathy to play such roles. This animated film does what no acted film could ever do. A powerful and heartbreaking film, especially when you consider this happened thousands of times over during the Allied bombing campaign of Japan.

Warning: this film will haunt you for days.

Full video below:

Grave of the fireflies?

Yes. Here is an updated link.

Post: #219

Memories of Murder. Korean movie. One of my all time favourites.

Post: #220

Italian neorealism has some good examples of what I would call realistic movies.
Umberto D. by De Sica, the story of an old man trying to live off his small pension in post war Italy who contemplates suicide.
Ladri di Biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) also by De Sica, struggling father looking for work has his bicycle stolen which he needs for his new job. Goes looking for the bike with his son, gets desperate....
Roma città aperta (Rome, Open City) by Rossellini

Not part of neorealism, but I consider quite realistic:
Il maestro di Vigevano (The Teacher from Vigevano) by Elio Petri. School teacher in newly industrialized Northern Italy has lost status and prestige among the surging middle class and is not happy with his wife wanting to start working. She starts working anyway and we can see where it might lead, the little respect she had for him will be gone forever.
Uomini Contro (Many Wars Ago) by Francesco Rosi. First World War, Italian front, positions in the Altopiano di Asiago, men are sent to be butchered in meaningless attacks against strong Austrian positions by heartless general. A captain revolts, a Second lieutenant has doubts but remains loyal to the King, but won't matter...
Un borghese piccolo piccolo (An Average Little Man) by Mario Moinicelli. A public employee at the Ministry joins a masonic order by suggestion of his boss to find his newly graduated son a position in the Ministry (comedy part), but tragedy happens and his life loses meaning, makes justice by himself ....

Brazilian movies:
Saw someone mentioning Carandiru. By the same director, Hector Babenco, an Argentinian naturalized Brazilian there is: Pixote: A Lei do Mais Fraco. Great movie that goes into the lives of street kids in early eighties Brazil.
Another great Brazilian movies is Bye Bye Brasil. A traveling show is faced with the advent of the television and start traveling around Brazil to find business without much success...

Post: #221

This is my favourite of all time. I Stand Alone.

Post: #222

There is a great film called Kolya set in Prague shortly after the disintegration of the USSR, early 90s.

A confirmed bachelor agrees to marry a Russian woman so she can get a visa to the West. He's in his 40s or 50s but is a skirt chaser. The film shows you a lot about Czech culture, the love of music, the beauracracy of the Soviets.

The plot twist is that he is a grump and she has a 5-year old, and he ends up with the kid, Nicola, or Kolya for short, and the kid changes his life for the better.