A temetetlen halott

Hungary 2004

Picture and details szemle film

Seen 11 November 2006

The Unburied Man. The film deals with Imre Nagy, the prime minister of Hungary in 1956. That year saw him leading a different path from that prescribed by the communist leadership in Russia. Consequently he was detained and we see how he languished in prison until his execution. The film tries to reconstruct the events of that era as well as depict the consequences of that momentous day. A good historical lesson.

El Perro Del Hortelano

Spain 1996

Picture and details imdb

Seen 9 November 2006

The title translates to "The dog in the manger". One who prevents others from enjoying what one has no use for oneself. In this film, the dog refers to the lady of the house who falls for her employee. The film takes a tragic and comedic look at love’s many facets. In this case, the class difference between two lovers, the employee and his master. The dialogue is almost too good to be true as many of the feelings expressed by the characters do reflect life’s real life situations. It is a whirlwind of goings on between the two main characters and the supporting cast. Good script and acting. Keeps you glued to your seat in anticipation of the next scene.

Raindogs

Malaysia 2006

Picture and details twitchfilm

Seen 4 November 2006

Full marks for art direction. Certain frames were just meant to be. A teenage boy coming of age story - fatherless, the passing away of his only elder brother, a mother seeing another man, he himself falling in love. Most of the actors are first timers so some scenes do feel a bit stiff. Fortunately, the actors need not say a lot as the whole atmospheric feel is conveyed by the superb camera work. The main theme song by Odetta - Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - permeates the film's overall outlook and is hauntingly relevant to the whole storyline. The lyrics:

Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
A long way from home
A long way from home
True believer
A long way from home
A long way from home

Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Way up in that heavenly land
Way up in that heavenly land