Closet Monster 2015
1h 30min | Drama | 13 September 2015 (Canada)
Storyline
A creative and driven teenager is desperate to escape his hometown and the haunting memories of his turbulent childhood.
User review:
Yes! It's definitely one of your better coming of age stories.
Oscar is a kid dealing with his parents divorce living with his possessive father who manliness clashes with Oscars's artistic side and then there is the fact that he's allowing his sexually to approach the surface. He deals with it by having a close relationship with his hamster, Buffy.
Closet Monster 2015
Plus One 2013
Plus One 2013
1h 36min | Sci-Fi, Thriller | 10 March 2013 (USA)
Storyline
Three college friends hit the biggest party of the year, where a mysterious phenomenon disrupts the night, quickly descending into a chaos that challenges their friendships — and whether they can stay alive.
User review:
One extra star just for not being another found footage teen flick, this was surprisingly better than I expected. The only problem was that it seemed everything needed just one more good pass. Everything comes off as a little uneven, but I think it ends up successful. The actors are competent for their age which probably means they're all older than their characters, but some like Logan Miller's "Teddy" are muted, not given quite enough from the script. He could has sunk his teeth into a better script. The script is not quite funny enough where it needs to be, but could have been with one more pass. Not quite enough explanation is given for the cause, but the story concept actually turns out good. Most of the horror comes from the characters, especially one story line, and that serves the movie. Pacing is a problem for the film, you come out of a funny or scary scene, and then the movie hits the breaks. Too many red herrings for the script to support. I think if the director had gone through one more edit, one more script revision, and the better actors given a little more meat on their plates, this would have been great. It even had a good twist that was subtle but effective.
Director: Dennis Iliadis
Writers: Dennis Iliadis (story by), Bill Gullo (screenplay)
Stars: Rhys Wakefield, Logan Miller, Ashley Grace
Eyewitness S01e01 720p
Eyewitness S01e01 720p
Thriller | TV Series (2016– )
Storyline
Eyewitness is an American drama television series set to air on USA Network in October 2016. The series, which is based upon the Norwegian series Øyevitne, was been given a straight-to-series order with 10 episodes.
User review:
After watching Eyewitness I can hardly wait to see how this concludes at the end of 10 episodes. For the first time the leads will be a pair of very different gay teens who just happen to witness a multiple homicide.
Tyler Young and James Paxton are a pair of 15 something kids going to a high school in their little town of Red Hook. Young is not ashamed of being gay, but he doesn't advertise it for the understandable fear of ostracism and bullying. Paxton is confused, these are feelings he doesn't want, but he's so attracted to Young and so fearful of being discovered especially by his alpha male dad.
They go to a remote mountain cabin to finally do the deed and it turns out to be a gang hideout and while hiding the boys see a shooting of four people. And as it turns out Young is a foster kid in the custody of Julianne Nicholson who is the sheriff. The former regular on Law And Order Criminal Intent models her character somewhat after Frances McDormand in Fargo minus the pregnancy.
I really applaud USA Network for showing the trials and tribulations and the juvenile angst of young gay teens. I'm sure we'll have raving and ranting from the religious right, but this is progress.
It's also a good beginning to a series which looks like it will have many side stories as well as the hunt for the murderers before he gets to the Eyewitnesses.
Creator: Adi Hasak
Stars:
Moritz lieber Moritz 1978
Moritz lieber Moritz 1978
1h 36min | Drama | 15 September 1978 (Finland)
User review:
Hark Bohm is one of the few directors, who really finds interest in the world of teenagers. The central character is very complex and somehow idiosyncratic. It is difficult to understand all of his acts of rebellion, in the same way it is difficult to understand teenagers at all. It is a movie about 15 year old son of a Bohemian family from Hamburg, Germany. He is an outsider, but in the end he makes friends as a saxophone player in a teenage rock combo. This not very well known and underrated film is a must see for those, who are interested in this genre.
Director: Hark Bohm
Writer: Hark Bohm
Stars: Michael Kebschull, Kyra Mladeck, Walter Klosterfelde
The Kings of Summer 2013
The Kings of Summer 2013
12 | 1h 35min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama | 19 January 2013 (USA)
Storyline
Joe Toy, on the verge of adolescence, finds himself increasingly frustrated by his single father, Frank's attempts to manage his life. Declaring his freedom once and for all, he escapes to a clearing in the woods with his best friend, Patrick, and a strange kid named Biaggio. He announces that they are going to build a house there, free from responsibility and parents. Once their makeshift abode is finished, the three young men find themselves masters of their own destiny, alone in the woods.
User review:
'The Kings of Summer' was a nice coming-of-age film about 3 teenage boys who want independence so decide to build a house in the woods away from the real world.
I really like the plot and the actors all done a very good job. The 3 boys were believable and extremely likable. The supporting cast were also very good. The house they build looks brilliant. The story is a lot about friendship which is really nice. There was some moments that made you smile but it wasn't overly funny, I would class it as more of a drama film.
Johnny Larsen 1979
Johnny Larsen 1979
1h 40min | Romance, Drama | 1 October 1979 (Denmark)
Storyline
The coming of age of a young man in the 1950s.
User review:
Film directors seldom dared portray the real life of working people, but Morten Arnfred manages to show a convincing picture of a lower class family in the 1950es and particularly the young man Johnny trying to cope with his first month's experiences of life as a worker. Johnny has to turn to his grandparents to find the strength needed to stand up to the conformity of his surroundings. This first film by Morten Arnfred is still his best and his main character Johnny played by Allan Olsen also showed his finest performance in this picture, but everyone from the supporting cast have grand moments during the whole film. The important motives are painted low key giving the total impression a scope of genuine believability.
Director: Morten Arnfred
Writers: Morten Arnfred, John Nehm (novel)
Stars: Allan Olsen, Aksel Erhardtsen, Jannie Faurschou
Hard Sell 2016
Hard Sell 2016
2h | 20 May 2016 (USA)
Storyline
A high school student struggling to help his suffering mom and their sick dog forms an unlikely friendship with a beautiful runaway.
User review:
Director/writer: Sean Nalaboff doesn't quite pull it all together in this flick and it was a hard sell to me. I wanted to like this movie but I found the characterization to be more uneven than consistent. Plus the story is told as episodes in Hardy Buchanan's life – examples
there is Hardy with his emotionally unstable mother, these is Hardy
Little Man Tate 1991
Little Man Tate 1991
1h 39min | Drama | 1 November 1991 (USA)
Storyline
Dede is a sole parent trying to bring up her son Fred. When it is discovered that Fred is a genius, she is determined to ensure that Fred has all the opportunities that he needs, and that he is not taken advantage of by people who forget that his extremely powerful intellect is harboured in the body and emotions of a child.
User review:
I LOVE this movie!!! In fact, it is my favorite. I was a senior at the University of Cincinnati at the time it was filmed and my best friend is in two scenes. The college scenes were filmed primarily at the University of Cincinnati, in Cincinnati, Ohio at McMicken Hall and outside the campus. The scene with Harry Connick Jr. at his apartment is in a dilapidated apartment building on Ludlow Ave. The scenes of Odyssey of the Mind were filmed at the Wexner Center of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. During filming Jodie Foster kept a low profile, as she also directed. This story is truly timeless…gifted education is still in the formative stages today. The movie shows that a careful balance between the nurture of the parent and the wisdom of the educator can give children an environment to reach their potential in a healthy way. Jodie Foster is wonderful as the loving but uneducated mother and Harry Connick Jr. has his first screen role in a major motion picture!
Director: Jodie Foster
Writer: Scott Frank
Stars: Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, Adam Hann-Byrd
Deeper The Retribution of Beth 2014
Deeper The Retribution of Beth 2014
1h 20min | Drama, Thriller | 3 November 2015 (Japan)
Storyline
Mark (a journalist from Xice Magazine) is sent to do a premier article on Steve and John (co-creators of XBus & owners of Bang-on Entertainment). They decide to take Mark on a ride that, unbeknownst to them, turns into a vicious nightmare. Caught in a revenge plot that's been brewing for years, Mark tries to escape with his life as our mysterious Beth reigns down punishment for Steve and John's past dirty deeds. What is a "just" consequence for a couple of scum-bag's?… And how far will one go to get even?
User review:
I recently had the privilege of sitting in on a screening of 'Deeper', formally named 'X-Bus'. I was impressed. I enjoyed this "Good Plan Gone Wrong" thriller. Andrew Francis and Jessica Harmon both give the performances of a lifetime, perfectly portraying each others foils. A horror movie set in the world of 'gonzo' backseat porn was long overdue, but it happened,and the sensation of being on both sides of the lens, is not unlike being on the receiving end of a loaded .45…intense. I'd compare this movie to titles like 'They Call her One-Eye'(1973), 'Ms 45′(1981), 'Deliverance'(1972) or to be more modern 'Nightcrawler'(2014). Keep and eye out for this one Film Enthusiasts, and remember, don't get into cars with strangers…
Director: Jeffrey Andersen
Writers: Jeffrey Andersen (by), Matthew Kevin Anderson
Stars: Jeffrey Andersen, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Olivia Cheng
Sideline Secrets 2008
Sideline Secrets 2008
1h 36min | Mystery, Drama, Romance | Video 9 August 2006
Storyline
"Sideline Secrets" follows the story of high-school senior Devon Tyler. With successful parents, a popular girlfriend, plenty of friends, and being at the top of his class and about to graduate, all seems ideal. However underneath the surface, things are not what they seem. With the heightened awareness of his sexual identity, the crumbling marriage of his gruff, unsupportive father and alcoholic mother, and the overbearing persona of his girlfriend, things couldn't get more difficult…or so he thinks. That is until a new boy enters his life and proves to be the missing key that brings everything together. But it also threatens everything he currently has.
User review:
After watching and favorably reviewing DARKER SECRETS – SIDELINE II, I decided to find a copy of the original which I had not seen. I have to say that I'm glad I saw Darker Secrets first. I love the dark tones of the story and quick pacing of Darker Secrets better then the original but Sidline Secrets wins in the charm department. I think if I had seen Sideline 1 first it would have clouded the way I viewed the sequel. Both are very good low budget films but I have to give the edge to Darker Secrets just because I love the dark decent of the lead character. These have always been my favorite type of character study.
Sideline Secrets is much more charming then it's hard edged sequel, and I loved the two male leads played by James Townsend and Alex Wilson, as well as some of the supporting cast. Brandon Alexander as Cliterissa Pink is clearly the stand out. At times Sideline Secrets feels like two different films. I think this is what makes if seem much bigger film then it actually is.
London Town 2016
London Town 2016
1h 32min | Drama, Music | 7 October 2016 (USA)
Storyline
In '70s London, a 14 year-old boy is introduced to the Clash by his estranged mother. It changes his life forever.
User review:
This is a fabulous coming of age story, set against the back drop of London in the 70's and the music of The Clash. The film is cleverly put together with a great mix of humour, emotion, gritty reality and music of The Clash.
The acting is superb particularly Daniel Huttlestone as Shay, although little Alice steals the show more than once! Jonathan Rhys Meyers could be Joe Strummer, with his attitude and great voice. It's a movie that makes you think, laugh and cry.
Il est genial papy 1987
Il est genial papy 1987
Il est génial papy! (original title)
1h 32min | Comedy | 2 December 1987 (France)
Storyline
A 10-year old boy causes havoc in his grandfather's already chaotic life, when he appears on his doorstep during a break from boarding school.
User review:
One of my best friend is the principal character of this movie, his name is Fabien Chombart. In "Il est génial papy", he is so natural that it is an obligation for your brain to enjoy the show. But to be realistic, it is far from a masterpiece, just a good movie, thats'all.
Director: Michel Drach
Writers: Michel Drach, Jean-Claude Islert
Stars: Guy Bedos, Marie Laforêt, Fabien Chombart
L’enfant du pays 2003
L'enfant du pays 2003
1h 50min | 20 August 2003 (France)
Storyline:
This is the story of a childhood and an adolescence which are expressed through a hundred small sequences passing in the forties, fifties and sixties in a modest family of the Pas-de-Calais.
Paul, the main character to be found in five, thirteen and eighteen years, is the thread of this story broke that works in the disorder of memory.
The meetings, joys, fears, first loves, friendships, disappointments, fraternal relations, relationships with parents, the discovery of a vocation as an actor and writer, everything is mixed to form the fabric irreplaceable an ordinary destiny whose features return the viewer to his own history. (google translated)
Director: René Féret
Writer: René Féret
Stars: Lisa Féret, Julien Henriet, Antoine Taillez
Irreversible 2002
Irreversible 2002
Irréversible (original title)
18 | 1h 37min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | 22 May 2002 (France)
Storyline
Events over the course of one traumatic night in Paris unfold in reverse-chronological order as the beautiful Alex is brutally raped and beaten by a stranger in the underpass. Her boyfriend and ex-lover take matters into their own hands by hiring two criminals to help them find the rapist so that they can exact revenge. A simultaneously beautiful and terrible examination of the destructive nature of cause and effect, and how time destroys everything.
User review:
This is one of the rarest film I've ever seen in my life. I can understand that sometimes this film is quite hard to put up with it, specially the outrageous Monica Bellucci's rape scene and I can understand too that many people, above all women, left the cinema. Needless to say this film is neither a porno movie nor tasteless sequences screened as if they tendon,t make sense. Lots of readings can be extracted after its showing. What might have gone on if the couple hadn't argued each other? Our life is not always the same as ever, could change a lot depending on occasions. Maybe our future is written in spite of not being aware of it. The performances are quite convincing: Monica Bellucci is a lot more than a pretty face and a stunning body and this transgressive film is going to introduce her to stardom ( I hardly ever imagine an actress so conventional, for example, Julia Roberts played a role like this). The men roles center on her but from my point of view Vincent Cassel's character is a bit upset and overacts at times opposite Albert Dupontel's which is calm and sensible to fly into a rage in a fortunately "politicatelly incorrect" ending. It is certainly a good movie, it's worth seeing unless you've got some preconceived ideas against out-of-the-way movies like this one. Apart from blockbusters there's another kind of cinema!
Director: Gaspar Noé
Writer: Gaspar Noé
Stars: Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel
El viaje 2006
El viaje 2006
17min | Short, Drama | June 2006 (USA)
Storyline
Gonzalo, a young 13 year-old boy, embarks on a journey with his best friend Tito to one of the most sordid places in Lima, Peru, where one of the boys' devastating secret is revealed. This event will mark the end of their innocence.
Director: Cady Abarca
Writer: Cady Abarca
Stars: Eugenio Do Nascimento, Pablo Ucañay, Mónica Rossi
Blinker en de Blixvaten 2008
Blinker en de Blixvaten 2008
1h 25min | Family, Romance | 17 December 2008 (Belgium)
Storyline
Blinker and the Blix barrels is based on a book by the very successful Belgian author Marc De Bel. The story is about a dynamic boy and his family who are trying to prevent a multinational company and its cynic CEO to dump radioactive garbage into the open sea.
Director: Filip Van Neyghem
Writers: Rudi Van Den Bossche (screenplay), Marc de Bel (creator)
Stars: Warre Borgmans, Els Olaerts, Julie Borgmans
The Kindergarten Teacher 2014
The Kindergarten Teacher 2014
Haganenet (original title)
1h 59min | Drama | 10 September 2014 (France)
Storyline
A kindergarten teacher discovers in a five year-old child a prodigious gift for poetry. Amazed and inspired by this young boy, she decides to protect his talent in spite of everyone.
User review:
Although we felt it didn't quite succeed, even on its own terms IMHO, "The Kindergarten Teacher" is still very watchable. The dour social criticism—poetry no longer has a place in the state of Israel!—didn't really speak to us, though the satirical portraits of the PC haters in Nira's poetry class and the weirdos at the poetry slam were quite amusing, in a depressing way.
The main storyline, Nira's relationship with the chubby-cheeked prodigy, Yoav, gets your attention right away and really builds; our main complaint was that Yoav's character seems inconsistent—he's withdrawn and suspicious at first (and rightly so!), then suddenly turns trusting and confiding, without any real transition. (Maybe he just realizes he's found a new amanuensis to copy down his poems; we, on the other hand, were sorry to see the last of Israeli singing star Ester Rada, who plays Yoav's nanny, Miri.)
Cinema Paradiso 1988
Cinema Paradiso 1988
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (original title)
R | 2h 35min | Drama | 29 September 1988 (Italy)
Storyline
A famous film director remembers his childhood at the Cinema Paradiso where Alfredo, the projectionist, first brought about his love of films. He returns home to his Sicilian village for the first time after almost 30 years and is reminded of his first love, Elena, who disappeared from his life before he left for Rome.
User review:
Movies can wield a strange power over those who sit in the darkened seats of a theatre. The truly great ones manipulate your perception of reality, suspend your disbelief, and ultimately either alter or affirm your view on life. NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO is just such a movie. It is the near-perfect melding of direction, acting, script, sound track, and cinematography. Phillipe Noiret and Salvatore Cascio give the kind of performances usually associated with much more recognizable actors. The supporting cast looks like they could all be full-blooded Sicilians. The location shots add depth and realism to the entire production. Ennio Morricone's music is simply the most appropriate and emotive I have ever had the pleasure to hear in a theatre. Tornatore's script and direction are a joy, a breath of fresh air.
I will not spoil this story by repeating it, nor will I give away the ending, although it matters not a whit. I could disclose fully everything in this movie, and in seeing it, all my words would evaporate. There is nothing like the experience of sitting through it, becoming engulfed by it, and in the end, being changed.
Ballo a tre passi 2003
Ballo a tre passi 2003
1h 47min | Drama | 19 February 2004 (Netherlands)
Storyline
Four separate-but-interconnected stories – one for each season – about life in Sardinia.
User review:
I saw Ballo this month at Cinema Italian Style in L.A., and thought it was the best movie of the whole festival. Quiet, but not the least bit static–every image and sound contributes to earnest drama. The visuals are amazing, and the locale exotic, but nothing happens for the sake of mere prettiness or exoticism. My favorite of the 4 stories was the third, where the youngish nun travels back to her town for a cousin's wedding. Granted, there's no melodrama, but by the time it's over you feel like you know everything about her and all the people around her. It manages to be respectful, critical, sweet and astute all at the same time. The music–Sardinian traditional plus the Village People in a great disco scene!–is especially effective. I only hope it will get distributed widely so more people will get the chance to see it. Go see it if you get a chance!
Director: Salvatore Mereu
Writer: Salvatore Mereu
Stars: Yaël Abecassis, Domenico Arba, Pietro Arba
Pelle der Eroberer 1986
Pelle der Eroberer 1986
1h 29min | Drama | TV Movie 1 January 1986
Storyline:
Set in the late 1800's, the original "Pelle der Eroberer" (aka Pelle the conqueror) comes from Martin Anderson Nexo's novel about a Swedish boy Pelle and his elderly father Lasse who come to Denmark in search of work and a better life. A bleak and desolate future becomes apparent when the two find employment on a farm full of abuse, slavery, and scandal. Not everyone is happy to see Pelle and his father and soon it becomes obvious to everyone that the immigrants are not welcome.
Director: Christian Steinke
Writer: Martin Andersen Nexø (novel)
Stars: Stefan Schrader, Martin Trettau, Klaus Manchen
Esteros 2016
Esteros 2016
1h 23min | Drama | 27 May 2016 (Canada)
Storyline
Matias and Jeronimo know each other since childhood. Their friendship takes a new turn during the holiday before starting high school when they both experience their sexual awakening. Matias's father breaks up their relationship by accepting a job very far away. Family's contempt against homosexuality brings Matias to deny his friend and himself. More than ten years later, Matias returns to his old town for carnival with his girlfriend. He unexpectedly runs into Jeronimo. Feelings will slowly reappear and will reach a climax, but at what price?
Director: Papu Curotto
Writer: Andi Nachon
Stars: Ignacio Rogers, Esteban Masturini, Joaquín Parada
Un sac de billes 1975
Un sac de billes 1975
1h 45min | Drama | 10 December 1975 (France)
Storyline
Two young French Jewish boys and their family struggle to survive the WWII and the invasion of Germans.
User review:
Nazi invasion of France was one of the saddest moments in European history.It was a period of anger,fear and hopelessness.For Jewish people,it brought a lot of humiliation and suffering which has been nicely depicted by famous French director Jacques Doillon in his film "A bag of marbles"/Un Sac De Billes.As there is no direct hint of sentimentality,this film appears to be truly authentic.Although there are some adults in this film,its primary focus is on young children especially two young boys who make good use of various schemes and tricks to escape being caught by Nazis.French writer Joseph Joffo's memoirs "Un Sac de billes" serves as the basis of this film.The notion of "life is dear and precious to all" has been portrayed by him in order to show how these two kids renounce their Jewish faith in order to remain alive.Although it talks about a serious theme,it is the light tone of this film which makes it very interesting."Un sac de Billes" is a film for viewers who would like to see young children behave in a more mature manner.
Director: Jacques Doillon
Writers: Jacques Doillon, Denis Ferraris
Stars: Richard Constantini, Paul-Eric Shulmann, Joseph Goldenberg
Secretos del corazon 1997
Secretos del corazon 1997
1h 45min | Drama | 19 March 1997 (Spain)
Storyline
Javi and his friend Carlos snoop around an old house on the way home from school. According to his brother Juan this is a haunted house and one can hear the voices of the dead. Later he is intrigued with a room which is always closed (the room where his father was found dead). He is so interested in these mysteries that he starts to investigate all the secrets of these dead people and their stories.
User review:
This Spanish film was a success in both ways (box office and critically). Despite a few faults and a few somewhat inconsistent sequences, it is a reasonable movie.
Secrets are the main subject of this film, what this movie is mostly about. The second main subject is death – not *really* deaths "per se", but more of conversations about it and secrets related to those deaths.
Ah Long dik goo si 1989
Ah Long dik goo si 1989
1h 35min | Drama | 16 March 1989 (Hong Kong)
Storyline
A father's ex-girlfriend resurfaces after a 10-year absence wanting to take her son away from him. With his world shattered, he must decide between what is best for his son and his own future happiness.
User review:
This is the first time that I write comments on IMDB, although I visit the website so frequently. Since I highly recommend this movie to you. This is one of the best HK movies, and also my favorite.
The script and performance is so great, impressive and touching. CYF was not only an action star. The little kid also did a great job. The entire movie is a masterpiece. I have to use my tissues every time watching, especially in the ending (No other movies touch me like this ever).
Departure 2015
Departure 2015
1h 49min | Drama, Family, Romance | 20 May 2016 (UK)
Storyline
An English mother and teenage son spend a week in the South of France breaking up a summer home that has become one of the casualties of the boy's parents' crumbling marriage. Matters only become more complicated when an enigmatic local boy enters their lives.
User review:
Andrew Steggall's lovingly directed first feature is a breath of fresh air in the British cinema scene. What at first sight looks to be a quite familiar LGBT coming of age story is turned by Steggall and his lead actress, Juliet Stevenson, into a far deeper and more engaging story. Elliott's (Alex Lawther) discovery of his own sexuality is beautifully framed against the collapse of his parents' marriage and their discovery that their lives had been based on falsehoods that, in some sense had crept up on them unawares. This is a film that will reach out far beyond the LGBT market and should do well across the European art scene. Very finely and delicately shot in the Languedoc region of France it establishes Steggall as a truly new voice in British cinema – not just composed and assured in the medium but with a distinct aesthetic of his own. It will be fascinating to see where he goes in his next feature – surely a larger and even more ambitious project.
Director: Andrew Steggall
Writer: Andrew Steggall
Stars: Juliet Stevenson, Alex Lawther, Phénix Brossard
Ivan’s childhood 1962
Ivan's childhood 1962
Ivanovo detstvo (original title)
1h 35min | Drama, War | 9 May 1962 (Poland)
Storyline
During World War II, 12-year old Ivan works as a spy on the eastern front. The small Ivan can cross the German lines unnoticed to collect information. Three Soviet officers try to take care of this boy-child.
User review:
Tarkovsky's monochrome delight deals with the tragedy of youth lost in war. Its main theme is of childhood innocence lost (becoming accessible to Ivan only in dreams) however the young officers are also vastly aged by the conflict they find themselves in.
The backdrop is nature itself – woodpeckers and cuckoos emulate (or become replaced by) the sounds of machine gun fire and the hoots of the falling flares. It pervades most scenes: the seemingly endless channel of water between the opposing sides, the huge birch trees stretching out as high and as far as the eye can see while also providing bunkers for the Russian forces. But nature's power is continually challenged by the great war going on around it and is ultimately defiled and devastated (like Ivan's, and the other young officers' innocence) – turning from green grasslands to mud and ashen trees.
Ali Zaoua Prince of the Streets 2000
Ali Zaoua Prince of the Streets 2000
Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue (original title)
1h 39min | Drama, Crime | 25 November 2000 (Morocco)
Storyline
Ali, Kwita, Omar and Boubker are street kids. The daily dose of glue sniffing represents their only escape from reality. Since they left Dib and his gang, they have been living on the portside of Casablanca. They live in constant fear of Dib's revenge. Ali wants to become a sailor – when he was living with his mother, a prostitute, he used to listen to a fairy tale about the sailor who discovered the miracle island with two suns. Instead of finding his island in the dream, Ali and his friends are confronted with Dib's gang. Matters are getting serious.
User review:
This is an amazing film. It has to be up there with "City of God" and "Pixote" (Brazil), "At- The Horse" (Turkey), "Saalam Bombay" (India) and "Amores Perros" (Mexico) as well as the American documentary "Streetwise" as one of the best contemporary movies about poverty and the social repression and horrors it brings to its subjects. The film is engrossing, captivating, disturbing and harrowing on many levels. The film is also a remarkable fusion of Godard, gangster films and "Arabian Nights." A shocking thing happens to the film's title character at the outset of the film, and we are transported into a world that is both enchating and perilous as if we are traveling with Sinbad across the 7 seas. Alas, this is no fantasy and we are reminded of that all too suddenly and it is a power that haunts the viewer as the final credits roll. The film also reminds one of our great independent filmmakers, like Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch in terms of applying simplicity to brilliant and stark primary and secondary characters thus allowing a documentary feel to float with the narrative. Alas, when one is from Morroco as this filmmaker is, it usually takes two or three major efforts like this before you are recognized as being a cinematic genius. One of the best African films I've seen, along with "Quartier Mozart" from Cameroon, and certainly worth one's time.
Director: Nabil Ayouch
Writers: Nabil Ayouch, Nathalie Saugeon
Stars: Mounïm Kbab, Mustapha Hansali, Hicham Moussoune
La Tutora 2016
La Tutora 2016
1h 54min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Storyline
Mona picks up her first job tutoring two orphaned children living in a derelict house in the country. Her obsession with trying to educate these two nearly feral children blind her to the fact they have other plans for her.
Did You Know?
This 'remake' offers different approach to the famous Henry James novel 'Turn of the Screw'. It is understood that the novel was in part autobiographical, based on his childhood as a gay boy, surrounded only by females at home, and having undergone some kind of sexual repression from her governess (in those days they were spinsters, spending all their days and nights with their young protégés). This film attempts to 'take out' the 'hidden' themes (cloaked in beautiful Victorian symbolism), and throw them hard out.
Director: Iván Noel
Writers: Henry James, Iván Noel
Stars: Valentino Vinco, Julio Mendez, Romina Pinto
Noyuki yamayuki umibe yuki 1986
Noyuki yamayuki umibe yuki 1986
2h 15min | Comedy, Fantasy | 4 October 1986 (Japan)
Plot:
During the fervently nationalist months leading up to World War II, a rebellious teenager is transferred to a new primary school in a small Inland Sea town. He vies with the school's reigning bully, who takes a romantic interest in his older stepsister. When they learn she's going to be sold to a brothel to pay off her father's debts, they form an uneasy alliance to free her. With surprising moments of caricature and slapstick, Obayashi celebrates the anarchic world of adolescence while also satirizing adult hypocrisy and conformism.
User review:
This one is set during the Second World War, although the most obvious indicator of that in this particular town is that there aren't a whole lot of teenagers or young men around. Instead, kids like Sutaro Sudo (Yasufumi Hayashi), dressed in sailor's hat and always carrying binoculars and a book on monkey behavior, run around more or less unsupervised after school. His class has a new student, Sakae Ohsugi (Jun'ichiro Katagiri), a couple years older than the other kids and thus drawing the ire of the class's established bully Bon, the barber's son, leading Sudo to devise elaborate war games to prevent real violence from breaking out. The other boys also rapidly develop a crush on Sakae's pretty older half-sister O-Shouchan (Isako Washio), although she has an eye for raft-rider Yuta Hayami (Toshinori Omi). That pacifist may wind up in the Army anyway, even though O-Shouchan will soon have another reason for the pair to run away.
Those of us who primarily know Obayashi from House would not be surprised to connect the two films just by looking at them; though Bound for the Fields takes place in a less fanatical space and its color scheme is a bit more muted, it's still a vibrant world, more so than one might expect from a war-depleted time. It's a kid's-eye-view of things, though, and Sudo in particular still finds the world to be full of adventure and ready to be discovered. So the kids in his class wear distinctive outfits rather than uniforms, his parents are all wide, reassuring smiles – the father is even a doctor who can fix the sort of damage an active kids sustains right up – and his teacher is a goofball who is always running kind of funny. The last is probably because of an erection from the porn he keeps in his desk, but Sudo isn't thinking like that yet.
Cesta z mesta 2000
Cesta z mesta 2000
1h 44min | Comedy, Romance | 5 October 2000 (Czech Republic)
User review:
If you want to put the scope on the Czech countryside life, and witness the lives of some weird people, this movie would be classified as a perfect documentary for you. What I like about it is that it feels very Czech as it's supposed to, as someone has mentioned earlier on a comment here. But then again, you can see that it's the first professional work of a good amount of the cast, and unfortunately it's not hard to spot when you watch it.
A young beautiful woman, and standing out against city life are good points to make a movie, but not enough to make it good. It has some artificial scenes that come out of the blue, and the poor acting of some characters hits the eye. Compared to the other Czech movies I've seen, this one's amateur and disappointing. The director has tried to put emphasis on the beauty of country life, but the beauty of Markéta catches the eye much more as the film goes on.
All this reminded me of the Hungarian movies I used to watch on Istanbul film festival. You go, watch, and get something different but not wonderful, and say "Well at least we acquired some culture". That's it! You can put yourself as a character into the village life, but you don't say "Boy, now that's what I call a film!" after the last scene fades away.
If you're looking for something VERY different, don't await the next second to see this one; but if you're looking for a masterpiece, stick to Pelisky or Dark Blue World.
Uncontrolled Love 2016
Uncontrolled Love 2016
Drama | 28 June 2016 (China)
Storyline
When Shu Nian was 12-year-old, he was adopted by Xie Yan from an orphanage. Nian was five years older than Xie and he worked as a page boy for him until Xie Yan went abroad to study. The main story began after Xie Yan returned home when he was 25 years old (Shu was nearly 30). Xie had a slightly tendency of homophobia and after he returned home he noticed that Shu was gay. He knew himself was not gay but he cannot control himself and just fell in love with Shu Nian. However, many obstacles will appear between them.
Director: Sun Chengzhi
Writer: Lan Lin (book)
Stars: Wang Bowen, Meng Rui
Daniel and Ana 2009
Daniel and Ana 2009
1h 30min | Drama, Thriller | 7 May 2010 (Mexico)
Storyline
Daniel and Ana, brother and sister, best friends. Both are at pivotal, defining moments in their contented lives. Ana is about to be married, Daniel is a gregarious teenager discovering his personal and sexual identity. Yet their harmony is instantly shattered when they are kidnapped and something shocking happens which forces them to confront their desires and fears. Suddenly their old lives are a distant memory. Now, nothing they have known will ever be the same again.
User review:
DANIEL & ANA is based on a true incident, and reveals a relatively unknown aspect of The Porn Industry. The thesis of the film is that, especially in South and Central America, some individuals engaging in online pornography may not be willing participants. Although the film is darkly bleak and disturbing, it presents an unfortunate aspect of human behavior. If an individual has been subjected to extreme sexual or psychological horror, they might not react in a way that one would ordinarily expect. I think that many people who have commented on this film have failed to recognize this important fact. The behavior that Daniel engages in after the event, although wildly inappropriate, is not in any way out of the realm of possibility. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not easily 'cured', or even understood, and can cause significant impairment in all aspects of human functioning.
Director: Michel Franco
Writer: Michel Franco (screenplay)
Stars: Dario Yazbek Bernal, Marimar Vega, José María Torre
The Search 2014
The Search 2014
2h 15min | Drama, War | 21 May 2014 (France)
Storyline
A woman who works for a non-governmental organization (NGO) forms a special relationship with a young boy in war-torn Chechnya.
User review:
I'm Chechen and I've seen the war in my country. This story is only a simple story from a hundred of thousands other stories of Russian- Chechen wars.
As someone that have seen the war, it was very difficult for me to watch this movie, I'm a man and I was watching it with the tears in my eyes, it has reminded me all the horrible dark nights in my country.
I'm honestly thankful to Mr. Michel Hazanavicius. It's very obvious that he did not make this movie for money and success but because he thought that someone has to tell the truth.
You will see many people saying that this movie has a political goals, anti-Russia propaganda etc and etc, however truth is truth neither you like it or not. Those are mainly people who did not suffer even a 1% of pain that Chechen people did. at least 35% of Chechens were killed in last two wars, about 40.000 of them were children. They burned people alive, just simple example, google "Samashki massacre" and thats from the war in 1994. The Search is about the second war 1999 which was much worst than the previous war. The history of Chechnya and Russia is horrible, there been so many wars in last 400 years, the history is indeed horrible.
This movie shows a very little percent of what was really happening in Chechnya, however it tells the truth, It's very disappointing that now days not many people really wants to hear the truth, not much people do really care and that's what movie tells as well.
The genocide of Jewish people, the genocide of Chechen and all the other people genocides, those are not only problem of certain people/nation but the problem and the issue of the world and all the people.
This is a very honest and based on a true stories movie, this isn't a comedy and action for fun, this is a movie that made with heart for the people that still care.
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Writer: Michel Hazanavicius (screenplay)
Stars: Bérénice Bejo, Annette Bening, Maksim Emelyanov
Thalassa, Thalassa! Return to the Sea 1994
Thalassa, Thalassa! Return to the Sea 1994
Thalassa, Thalassa (original title)
1h 29min | 1994 (Romania)
Storyline
A group of young boys, and one girl, find and steal a Jaguar convertible, and decide to drive to the sea. What starts out as a lark deteriorates into a rather grueling journey.
User review:
In this very unusual film, a group of young boys (and one girl) find and steal a Jaguar convertible, and decide to drive to the sea. What starts out as a lark deteriorates into a rather grueling journey.
From the opening scenes, one might think this were a children's movie. It isn't. Writer/director Bogdan Dumitrescu intends to tell us about human nature, and he apparently sees more darkness than light. The children behave like children, but they also are essential human beings, unencumbered by the restraints of authority and socialization. Happily, though, Dumitrescu does not rub symbolism in our faces. If all you want is a naturalistic, emotionally engaging narrative, "Thalassa, Thalassa" will fill the bill.
Kardiogramma 1995
Kardiogramma 1995
1h 15min | Drama | 5 March 1997 (France)
User review:
I've seen all three of Omirbaev's movies, and this was my first, a beautiful, delicately poetic movie about a young boy with a weak heart sent to a sanitorium in Kazakhstan, during the Soviet era. The movie is a good, nicely drawn portrait of the drabness of the Soviet years, of being poor (and Asian) in the flattest countryside imaginable, and of the crushing monotony of a state-run institution. It's a poetically precise movie with subtle injections of humor and strikingly beautiful imagery (Omirbaev has an exquisite eye), a carefully drawn story of sexual awakening and an affirmation of the power of art. Like every other Kazakh film I've seen, KARDIOGRAMMA was shot on a pretty unstable color stock, but it gives the movie a very interesting look. And the performance by the boy who plays the lead is very good.
Director: Darezhan Omirbayev
Writer: Darezhan Omirbayev
Stars: Baurzhan Akhmetov, Zhasulan Asauov, Asil Badayev
Kung-fu master 1988
Kung-fu master 1988
1h 20min | Drama, Romance | 9 March 1988 (France)
Storyline
Mary-Jane asks, "Do all women fall in love with a boy, or just those without sons?" She's divorced with two daughters, Lucy and Loulou. Lucy has a party where Mary-Jane notices Julien, 14, small and brassy, but she sees a sensitive side. She contrives to spend time with him and lets him know she's available to him. He's on the cusp between child and man, alternating between playing a video game, Kung Fu Master, where he tries to rescue Sylvie, and joining friends in bluff talk about sexual exploits. As Lucy realizes what is happening, she's repulsed, but Mary-Jane, encouraged by her own mother, carries on. Is it love or jealousy of lost youth? Is there any way this can end well?
User review:
The story here is about a woman falling for the 14 year old classmate of her daughter's, but forget about the story now, it's not a prurient film of course and seeing just a 'social issue' movie would miss the whole point. This is a small exercise on context by Varda but as astute as ever.
Varda seems to be parodying the notion that her film would have just a social relevance by having the AIDS scare of the time so prevalent throughout – the film is from the late 80s, it evokes a distinct air of the time when youths crowded arcade parlors and TV segments on HIV sounded doom for mankind – or preempts it, perhaps unsure herself if it's not unavoidably going to be that in the end.
La ultima batalla 1993
La ultima batalla 1993
1h 32min | Action, Adventure, Comedy | 24 December 1993 (Mexico)
Storyline:
A child army faces an old man for possession of lands where they used to play, but he wants to close for private use.
Plot:
While the group of children bathed in the river, a tramp stole all their clothes. Not to be ridiculed, kids, hiding behind the branches, somehow get home. After this incident, they devise a plan to get even with a bum, and he is preparing for retaliation. Each of the parties shows remarkable ingenuity in choosing the means of attack and defense. Opposition increases and reaches its peak – "the Last battle".
Director: Juan Antonio de la Riva
Writers: Fernando Galiana (screenplay), Ramón Obón (screenplay)
Stars: Jorge Russek, Alonso Echánove, Margarita Isabel
Une enfance 2015
Une enfance 2015
1h 39min | Drama | 23 September 2015 (France)
Storyline
As summer drags by, 13-year-old Jimmy, forced by circumstance to become an adult too soon, runs up against the limits of his small hometown and his turbulent life, caught between a mother on the slide and a stepfather who keeps her down.
User review:
What a true drama, dark, gripping, but not hopeless film, about a young kid and his little brother who have to survive among a broken family. They both have a very young unemployed and drug addicted mother – in her late twenties at the most – who lives with a lousy drug addicted and also unemployed prick – and not the father of the two. A real SOB. You have already understood that it is a pure drama, a social movie describing with a realistic way how the poor people have to fight every day to make it in the modern world. The today way of life. You have here a poignant sequence where the poor mother shouts at her son that he is responsible for her to be so miserable. And the little boy grabs her mom and hugs her into his arms. Very touching sequence. A beautiful film.
Director: Philippe Claudel
Writer: Philippe Claudel (screenplay)
Stars: Alexi Mathieu, Angelica Sarre, Pierre Deladonchamps
Jaime 1999
Jaime 1999
1h 51min | Drama | 11 April 1999 (Portugal)
Storyline
A woman takes her young son, leaves her husband and moves in with her lover. The boy, desperate to get his parents back together, becomes convinced that if only he can get his father's stolen motorcycle back everything will be fine again, so he sets out to get enough money to buy his father a new one.
User review:
It´s a great portrait of a real problem that´s common in that region, Oporto, specially in that specific area, Ribeira, were the people are very poor. The script is great and the performances of Saúl (Jaime) and Fernanda Serrano (Marta, Jaime´s mother) are very nice. She did a very good job, not the one we get used to seeing on TV. The movie is very well edited and the music, particularly Rui Veloso song, fits like a glove. I gave 7 to António-Pedro Vasconcelos's "Jaime".
Director: António-Pedro Vasconcelos
Writers: Carlos Saboga, António-Pedro Vasconcelos
Stars: Saúl Fonseca, Fernanda Serrano, Joaquim Leitão
La classe de neige 1998
La classe de neige 1998
1h 36min | Drama, Mystery | 23 September 1998 (France)
Storyline
A schoolboy Nicholas always worries about something. When he goes on a school skiing trip, all his visions and nightmares take him over.
User review:
This is an investigation of the journey into puberty for the young Nicolas set in the clear, fresh surroundings of the French Alps. The casting is as well crafted as the direction, performances and music; as soon as we see him we know that Nicolas is a shy, sensitive boy and that such physical and psychological changes which happen at his time of life will have melancholy and confusing effect. This is portrayed finely.
The sub-plot, I believe, is the murder and its outcome, the conclusion of which sums up Nicolas's history.
Mio papa 2014
Mio papa 2014
1h 33min | Drama | 27 November 2014 (Italy)
Storyline
Lorenzo works as diver on an oil rig in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. In his profession is the best. He loves his freedom. When he gets bored, he takes a dinghy to go ashore and look for entertainment and adventures. Until he meets a girl who is different from the others, she is Claudia, he really likes her. The passion soon breaks out.
User review:
A few months ago came out in our rooms a beautiful Japanese film "Father and son", Aihm, unloved by the public which asked, if it was more important for a parent to love their child, and brought him growing every day or counted however, most of the blood relationship.
The concept of family has changed over the years. Father, mother and son are now one of the possible types of families: enlarged, homosexual, heterosexual.
Difficult to determine which is the right formula for a minor, the law always tries to protect him, but not always the rights are in line with the feelings.
"My Dad", which had already met with great acclaim last Rome Film Festival, is the simple and touching story of Lorenzo (Pasotti) young and single diver of San Benedetto del Tronto that after being dumped by his girlfriend, why not eager to become father, spends his nights with different women having fun in the company of his friend and business partner Roberto (Troiano).
One evening, as many in a local Lorenzo knows Claudia (Finocchiaro) which has a night of passion. But the night become more nights and would soon turns into a three-way relationship because Claudia is the mother of the child Matthew (Calvagna).
The relationship between Lorenzo and Matteo does not start well, both unwilling and impatient to know each other.
The barrier that divides them but slowly crumbles to the love that both have for Claudia, and when the latter for work is forced on a journey to Germany, the two are forced to cohabitation and especially to open up, learning to want well.
Lorenzo finds himself without realizing,. overwhelmed by love for Matthew and becoming for the child in fact the true father figure that both missing. A relationship between the two protagonists based on the little things, the male complicity, but also as a teacher of life and education that will bring the child to see Lorenzo as the ideal companion for the mother thus forming a real family.
A screenplay simple, clear, smooth, but at the same time rich in content and full of emotions that leaves the viewer indifferent. A love story that breaks down the mere blood ties, inviting to know and above all to reflect what the real gestures and words that make a man a father to a child, and what it means to truly be a family. The narrative is poignant pathos, but at the same time realistic and current.
Directed by Base is of value, clean, delicate, able to collect the various nuances of the story, managing to highlight the changes of feelings of the characters without them ever becoming rhetorical and melodrama
Beautiful and touching is the soundtrack and worthy of mention is the photography.
I confess to not being an avid fan of Giorgio Pasotti, but in this film is astonishing for its intense and moving interpretation. It 'really worthy of mention the capacity in which manages to step into the shoes of Lorenzo, perhaps inspired by his own personal experience, being able to give it body and soul in an effective and convincing.
Niccolò Cavagna moves on the scene like a veteran. His eyes and his expressions before the words tell the mood of his character. They form a perfect match with Pasotti, thus creating a symbiotic empathy that project entirely to the audience.
Donatella Finocchiaro with intensity and talent shows us the different faces of a woman, mother, lover, worker, giving each of their thickness and strength and forming a trio with Calvagna and Pasotti really about.
The final, although dramatic, is well built and is exciting and leaves the viewer the beautiful belief that count as blood ties and the law to protect them, nothing and no one can decide who to love like I was a real father.
Freier Fall 2013
Freier Fall 2013
1h 40min | Drama, Romance | 23 May 2013 (Germany)
Storyline
With a promising police career and a baby on the way, Marc's life seems to be right on track – then he meets fellow policeman Kay. During their regular jogs, Marc experiences a never-before-felt sense of ease and effortlessness – and what it means to fall in love with another man. Torn between his family and his new feelings for Kay, Marc sees his world careening more and more out of control. Suddenly, his life is in free fall and Marc realizes that, try as he may, he can't make everyone happy – least of all himself.
User review:
This film is not a cliché. No movie gave me hope and took it right away leaving just expectations behind like this one did.
Once the love between two beautifully interpreted characters begins, one is immersed in the struggle they're into because of their feelings. Max Riemelt completely nailed it, his character (Kay) seems to have found the true Marc(Hanno Koffler)by giving himself to him. I can agree that this is "the German answer to Brokeback Mountain" but it lacks at exposing the whole life of the characters, you just can imagine where they come from and how did they get to where they are.
You Are Not an Orphan 1962
You Are Not an Orphan 1962
Ty ne sirota (original title)
1h 21min | Drama | TV Movie 4 March 1963
SYNOPSIS
The film is a touching story about an Uzbek family who gave shelter to 14 kids evacuated during the World War II while their own child was at the battlefronts.
Director: Shukhrat Abbasov
Writer: Rachmat Faysi
Stars: Lyutfi Sarymsakova, Abid Dshalilov, Gena Tkachenko
Menino Maluquinho O Filme 1995
Menino Maluquinho O Filme 1995
1h 23min | Adventure | 7 July 1995 (Brazil)
Storyline
The principal character in Helvécio Ratton's delightful film has been adapted from a book and comic created by the Brazilian cartoonist Ziraldo, and tells the tale of a happy-go-lucky 10-year-old child growing up in a city in the 60s.
User review:
The "Menino Maluquinho", or "Wacky Kid" ("Nutty" in these English credits), is one of the most famous and beloved child character from Brazilian literature and this movie is the first dedicated to him. The movie is about the famous child illustrated book, but it also includes characters that appeared only in the spin-off comics. Colorful and full of past time cars and clothes, besides comical sound effects, the film brings an atmosphere of magical realism that fits well. Though, acting is not good, at least when it comes to the child casting. There are some moments which capture the magic of childhood, but there are also others which are just silly. The greatest merit is the true conversion of the characters from the comic pages to the big screen (Junim, Julieta, Wacky Kid himself and his mother are particularly identical). It is not in the core of the story, for sure, but I also consider that this worth to be mentioned: in spite of the great freedom for children, the Brazil portrayed in the film is a very traditional one: an upper class white patriarchal family with a "colored" payed domestic work.
Director: Helvecio Ratton
Writer: Ziraldo (story)
Stars: Samuel Costa, Patricia Pillar, Roberto Bomtempo
Sexual Tension Volatile 2012
Sexual Tension Volatile 2012
Tensión sexual, Volumen 1: Volátil (original title)
1h 25min | Drama | 7 October 2012 (France)
Storyline
Have you ever met someone who made your body heat up, get a little nervous and sweaty, and made your crotch stir a bit? Sexual Tension: Volatile will reignite those lustful feelings as it weaves six scintillating experiences of men in various stages of nudity and many forms of erotic male bonding. A pulsating, sexually-charged thrill ride, the film begins as a young man feels the adrenaline rush of his sexy tattooist's needle in "Ari" while in "The Cousin," a geeky, cute boy finds a hot Summer afternoon triggering his taboo desire for his Speedo-clad cousin. Two straight buddies literally show each other how to make love to a woman in "The Other One," while a man with 'Broken Arms' receives a sensual sponge bath from a male nurse. "Love" is questionable when a broken shower brings a married man and a hairy, innkeeper together when they least expect it and in "Workout" two muscular men, 'sexting' pictures to some hot chicks, begin to shed their clothes and inhibitions. Argentinian …
User review:
The muscular cute guy , the one with the blue eyes , who appears in the last segment "Training" (under the name Jorge Carossia),is actually a porn actor and a male prostitute in Buenos Aires. He performs in the movie "Latin Lover Amateurs " by Adonis Pictures (as Alejandro) having sex with porn star Rod Barry. You can see him first receiving oral sex from Rod and then getting f*cked doggy and missionary style by Rod like a …. Really bad a mainstream actor should not perform in porn and porn performers never should play in mainstream because people from the "business are people not worth do that. The rest of the film is OK. Speacilly the first segment I find that so sweet. Francisco Ortiz is really handsome but so conceited, and the other guy taking a shower with him is really a hunk and very hung as well…. Nice..flick
Directors: Marco Berger, Marcelo Mónaco
Writers: Marco Berger, Marcelo Mónaco
Stars: Lucas Lagré, Mario Verón, Javier De Pietro
Tous les papas ne font pas pipi debout 1998
Tous les papas ne font pas pipi debout 1998
1h 30min | Drama | TV Movie 16 December 1998
User review:
A pleasant surprise. Without being a pretentious film, it fulfills the purpose of entertaining and at the same time, raise the issue of same-sex couples with children. Zoe and Dan are two women in love who live together for 10 years and have one son, Simon. A smart kid, sensitive, respectful and great swimmer, coached by Dan itself. They live in Belgium, in a place where all accept and coexist with their choice. Even the little friends of Simon. Everything works fine until it reaches a new family to the neighborhood. And with them, also come the prejudices and conflicts. Simon is in a stage of development and establish new ties, so these new comments starting to affect him. Now, for the first time, must contend with the idea of not having a father, like all the kids 'normal'. It also begins to doubt his feelings for Dan. Finally, both women face a situation that until then had only imagined. The great success of this film (besides the actors) at least for me, is that it never focuses on the lesbian relationship of these two women, but on the perception that others, including children, have about the situation. Zoe's mother, neighbors, friends of Simon. Precisely them, the friends of Simon, are an important part in the film and have a range of reactions and situations for analysis. It is normal or morally acceptable that a girl does not know her father because he left when he learned that her mother was pregnant? It is normal when a father (new neighbor) is tough with their children, teaching them to be intolerant and have prejudices as well as bad manners?. It seems that heterosexuality provides a degree of impunity. Simon falls for the daughter of the new neighbors, which subtly points to another common misconception: the gays are a bad influence and their children will inevitably be the same. The film is not an extreme drama. No low blows, flows naturally and has the right touch of comedy, particularly in the answers of some characters. It is entertaining without making us feel indifferent to what we consider ourselves normal or abnormal. It makes us love or hate certain characters. Simple, effective and, as if all that were not enough has that French touch.
Director: Dominique Baron
Writer: Chris Vander Stappen
Stars: Natacha Lindinger, Carole Richert, Marina Vlady
Un bon petit diable 1983
Un bon petit diable 1983
1h 30min | Drama | 21 December 1983 (France)
User review:
If you have ever read any novels by La Comtesse De Sequr you'll realize these books on life are much more revealing than can be successfully transferred to the screen. Yet, under the direction of director Jean- Claude Brialy, it comes touchingly close. This is a French film about a young ten year old who parents' have died leaving him in the abusive care of his brutal Aunt Alice (Leontine MacMiche) who has little compassion for young Charles, (Paul Courtois). His only safeguard is 'Betty' (Bernadette Lafon) a kindly maid in the employ of Madame MacMiche. Taking advantage of the Old woman's superstitious nature, Betty is able to curtail the unnecessary punishments she inflicts on the boy. Believing she can squander Charles' inheritance if the boy were transferred to an orphanage, she conspires with unscrupulous businessmen to house him with other boys in another brutal environment run by greedy, selfish and unimpassioned men. The movie is enhanced with common village Life and it's daily routines which includes funerals and weddings alike. It's a spirited movie displaying the universal traits of good and bad people everywhere. Still, if one desires a visit to early 19th century Normandy this is the movie for you. Recommended.
Director: Jean-Claude Brialy
Writers: Jean-Claude Brialy, Didier Decoin (dialogue)
Stars: Alice Sapritch, Bernadette Lafont, Philippe Clay
El Ano de las Luces 1986
El Ano de las Luces 1986
1h 45min | Comedy | 5 December 1986 (Spain)
Storyline
April, 1940. Manolo, 16 years old, and Jesus, who is just 8, are taken by their older brother Pepe, a lieutenant in the Army, to a sanatorium for children suffering from tuberculosis, situated on the border with Portugal. Once in the sanatorium, Manolo, surrounded by boys all much younger than he is, feels a bit like the cock of the walk since the only other man around is the handyman Emilio who looks after the gardens and does whatever needs to be done about the place. His wife, Rafaela, is the cook. Manolo meets Irene, a falangist who runs the sanatorium, and the school teacher, Miss Transito, a crabby spinster. He has his first sexual experience, albeit as a voyeur, with his nurse Vicenta. When she has to leave, her place is taken by a girl from the village, Maria Jesus, with whom Manolo falls hopelessly in love. A relationship grows up between them which will mark them both for ever.
User review:
This beautifully sensitive rites of passage film was co-authored by Rafael Azcona and the director Fernando Trueba, who later worked together on the Oscar-winning Belle Epoque. Those who enjoyed that film, or indeed any thoughtful film with sensitive characterisation, will enjoy this too. There are so few films of this quality made in any language, and it deserves much wider recognition. The two teenage leads Jorge Sanz and Maribel Verdu are perfectly cast and show how exquisite can be the process of discovery and self-discovery in young lovers brought together at a time of maximum curiosity and receptiveness. A beautiful film.
Director: Fernando Trueba
Writers: Rafael Azcona, Manuel Huete (story)
Stars: Jorge Sanz, Maribel Verdú, Verónica Forqué
Conversations on Serious Topics 2014
Conversations on Serious Topics 2014
Pokalbiai rimtomis temomis (original title)
1h 5min | Documentary, Drama, Family | January 2013 (Estonia)
Storyline:
Conversations On Serious Topics is a film without exterior action, props, landscapes or special effects. Its main characters are children and teenagers with a special ability to describe the surrounding world. Intimate conversations with them reveal the picture of the modern world – at times melancholic, at times comical, at times dramatic. Shot in a minimalist fashion, the film raises questions about loneliness, love, God, the world and human relations. "The world is people." "Don't you believe in God? I can teach you how to start believing…"
Director: Giedre Beinoriute
Writer: Giedre Beinoriute