Kolumpo

Malaysia 2013

Details wikipedia

Seen 18 December 2013

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

Three stories with Kuala Lumpur, the capital city as a background.

A story on foreign workers, an old lady who lost her way home and an encounter with an unconventional girl.

Three new directors were given the task of showcasing their talents in this compilation. The actors involved were a mix of the old and new. A refreshing look at ordinary lives. The script helped a lot in making the storyline short and sweet.

A full fledged more than half an hour movie might be the test neede whether the scriptwriters and directors have what it takes to go on the long haul.

Fresh ideas and new talents are always welcomed to give another perspective in the Malaysian film making industry.

A commendable effort.

Hunger Ganes: Catching Fire

USA 2013

Details IMDB

Seen 30 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.8/10

Rotten tomatoes 7.5/10

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The tale continues. It is much more engrossing as the plot thickens as we are prepared for the next instalment.

The producers have done their best to balance the action sequences, technical aspects and special effects to give a satisfying watch.

The fight between those in power

And those who are down trodden

Seeking freedom and equality

A better world for everyone

The struggle continues

It is not easy

Of Snails and Men (Despre oameni si melci)

Romania 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 24 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.3/10

1992, Michael Jackson's Dangerous tour comes to Bucharest but in the small city of Câmpulung, Romania one of the most important factories is being closed, leaving 1000 people out of work.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The livelihood of many
Are in jeopardy
There is just darkness in front

Until one gave an idea
An idea so out of the ordinary
That at first it is rejected by many
Until the hard facts are known
They have to make the best of things

Despite misgivings
Many are supportive
Until the dream is shattered
Their effort comes to naught

The future is bleak
Unless another idea comes along

Workers

Mexico 2013

Details IMDB

Seen 24 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.3/10

After a whole life of work at Tijuana, Rafael and Lidia are victims of injustice against their rights and dignity

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

Two lives
Separated by a past event
Unknowingly take similar steps

Two lives, and others too
Those at the bottom
Of the social order
Just surviving
Until opportunity knocks

The end justifies the means
In this case
That might be true 

 

The Cleaner (El limpiador)

Peru 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 23 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.3/10

A forensic cleaner will become accountable for an 8-year-old orphan who has been left behind in the middle of an epidemic crisis in Lima

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

In the midst of a calamity
Two souls find each other
No ties
Strangers

Humanity dictates
A fellow human being who is in need
Should be helped as much as you can

Endless help
Is that an option
Or will there be a stop

When those in need
Will be able to stand on their own

Cambodia after farewell

Cambodia 2013

Details bophana

Seen 23 November 2013

A journey to find out what happened to the family left behind during the Khmer Rouge days.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The lost time
A nightmare
Those not directly involved
Can only imagine

The atrocities, suffering
Despair

Only the survivors
Will be able to tell
Or maybe won't
As the memories
The wounds, scars
Remain

Testimony
To a time
No one could have imagined

Happened

Exchange (Palitan)

Philippines 2012

Details filmbiz

Seen 23 November 2013

A man in debt, the wife who wants to help and a boss who sees opportunities.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

How much is the price of an exchange
In a material world
Money seems to be the final arbitrator
The deciding factor

The charade continues
All involved under a delusion

Until the incriminating evidence
Triggers an explosive response

Has justice been served

Tom at the farm (Tom à la ferme)

France 2013

Details IMDB

Seen 23 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.1/10

Rotten tomatoes 7.2/10

A grieving man meets his lover's family, who were not aware of their son's sexual orientation

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

A friend, lover
His time has gone
Now is the time to come to terms
Visiting the family offering condolences

Surprises awaiting
Denial, lies

The shock changes to acceptance
Not entirely
As the facts finally anchor

This is not the place for love to bloom

Stray Dogs (Jiao You)

Taiwan 2013

Details asianwiki

Seen 22 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.2/10

Rotten tomatoes 9.6/10

An alcoholic man and his two young children barely survive in Taipei. They cross path with a lonely grocery clerk who might help them make a better life

My Ratings .8.0/10

My impressions

Strays, the unwanted, the abandoned

Some feel for them
Out of pity, concern

Others take responsibility
Making their lives better
A life of dignity

When those who is
Supposedly responsible
Are also facing hard times
The pressures of making a living

What will happen to the strays 

 

Harmonica's Howl (O Uivo da Gaita)

Brazil 2013

Details wikipedia

Seen 22 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 3.7/10

A young couple, Pedro and Antônia, have their relationship weakening after meeting Luana. Romance, seduction, fear and anguish from the future are established in this story of liquid love

My Ratings .5.0/10

My impressions

Discordant notes
Appearing slowly

On the surface
All is normal
But the third party
Plays a significant role

It might be a fling
A temporary affair
No assurances

Let it flow
Take its course

Hope it will end happily
For all involved 

 

Village of Hope (Wang Pi Kul)

Thailand 2013

Details worldfilmbkk

Seen 22 November 2013

Far away in the countryside, there is a small farmer village called Wang Pi Kul. Sorn, a young soldier, comes back here to visit his home town.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

Children, parents
Failed relationships
Whither reconciliation
Is there any hope

A child now of age
Has to stand on his own

The family is there
The stabilising factor
The backbone that
Supports, cajoles

The honeymoon is over
One has to face reality
Time to give
Not just to receive

It can be taken away
Without warning

The Moving Creatures (O Que Se Move)

Brazil 2013

Details miamifestival

Seen 22 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.3/10

Three families, in three different situations, have to deal with a sudden change in their lives, caused by a loss or a re encounter.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

Mixed feelings
Strange, inexplicable

What can it be
A sense of loss
Regrets, remorse

Attachment to the one you love
Whether through his growing up years
The few years he was an infant
Or even now after so many years have passed

Feelings undeniable
To be together, close to each other

Even though time
Has its constraints
We try and make the best
Of what we have and
That has been given

It can be taken away
Without warning 

 

Stranger by the lake (L'inconnu du lac)

France 2013

Details IMDB

Seen 21 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.0/10

Rotten tomatoes 7.8/10

Summertime. A cruising spot for men, tucked away on the shores of a lake. Franck falls in love with Michel

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The lake, scene of encounters
One seeks a companion
To satisfy the innate desire
To have someone close

Physically, the first step
Hopeful it will progress
Into deeper feelings
Not just a brief moment
When lust takes control

The stranger stirs your heart
Seems the perfect match
Until the unexpected happened

Doubts begin to take hold

There is no certainty now

The Isthmus

Thailand 2013

Details variety

Seen 21 November 2013

Centered on a Bangkok mother who is compelled to take her young daughter to a Thailand-Burma border town following the death of their elderly Burmese maid

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The search for a loved one
Begins a discovery
Into a world
Not familiar

Travelers across the sea
Seeking a better life

Become one
A community
Linked by a past
Strong together, helping each other

Links unbroken

Storyteller (Meddah)

Turkey 2012

Details RIFF

Seen 21 November 2013

The life of a once famous actor.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

We reap what we sow
A saying that many forget

Past actions
Haunting the present
Regrets, amends
Is it enough

The present is when
We face reality
Of mistakes and misdemeanors
Done in haste
Without thinking
Without pondering
Its effects

Catches up eventually
When it might be too late
To rectify
To ask for forgiveness
Understanding

The clock can't be turned back

A Silent Way (Ko: Yad)

India 2012

Details popsplat

Seen 21 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

popsplat 3.5/5

The life of a firewood collector in North East India.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

The river
Silent testimony
Of the men who uses it

Men puts his trust
In the river and a boat
Legacy of his father

His life intertwined
With the river and the boat
From as long as he can remember
The two reliable anchors in his life

Life changes
When even the children
Do not see eye to eye with him

Disappointed, angry
Still headstrong
Men's fate
Despite all the efforts

Continues in a struggle

Clandestine Childhood (Infancia clandestina)

Argentina 2011

Details IMDB

Seen 20 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.1/10

Rotten tomatoes 5.8/10

Juan lives in clandestinity. Just like his mum, his dad and his adored uncle Beto, outside his home he has another name

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

A child brought up
In a family of fighters
Responsibility is second nature

This is also the time
Love makes its presence
The heart becomes weak
The fight is second

The love is priority
Taking actions, risks
In the pursuit of love

Reality is harsh
Love was unable to pass the test

The fight is still the main focus
For now and in future 

 

Innocents

Singapore 2012

Details filmbiz

Seen 20 November 2013

A coming of age story.

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

Childhood, friendship
Me and you against the world
The world of adults
Who do not understand
Or refuse to understand

Tormented, misunderstood
Until a friend
Appears in your life
Who understands
Who can see beyond the present

A friend, not judgemental
But what can children do

The adults are in control 

 

Stepping on the flying grass (Cita-citaku setinggi tanah)

Indonesia 2012

Details filmbiz

Seen 20 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.0/10

Assigned by their teacher to write an essay about their most cherished dream, four young friends in rural Indonesia each take a different approach to their assignment

My Ratings .7.0/10

My impressions

Dreams and ambitions
Everyone has them

Some ambitions seem trivial
Others find it laughable

There is a reason
Small it might be
Of no consequence to some
But that dream and ambition
To some means the world to them

Effort and sacrifices
Heartaches when it is within your grasp
Just as easily gone in a second

Then realisation
Sinks

Dreams and ambitions
Are good goals to have
Meaningless without family and friends
Enjoying the fruits together