Damn Foreigners!

France & Italy have more to offer than soccer: great movies!

Cache (Hidden) (2005)
A relevant, tense drama that afflicts not only those French bourgeoisie who tip toe around the film, but to all nations and people who have rode the coat tails of “inferior” beings. Director Michael Haneke’s slow moving lens focuses on a couple’s fears of paranoia by way of mysterious tapes and children’s drawings. However, this paranoia is not random. Georges, the main character, is haunted by what he did in his past. Haneke’s story speaks a nation’s brutal history and how issues have been swept under the rug. The movie may not hit you until days later, but his way of telling the story is magnificent. Time and time again we are delivered the facts. More so we don’t need facts or histories; we need people, pain, emotion and the stillness of a person coping. Nothing is given here. What we actually see is not the truth. What he hear in the background is the mystery. Please, Git r Dun!

Battle of Algiers (1965)
A harrowing look inside the decolonization of Algeria, this film is able to re-create a baby nation asserting its rights. In black and white, terrorist plots unfold in front of your eyes that look all too familiar. Both sides are as clear as day: the European accented French quarters amid the dishevled, frayed Algerian soon to come boom. Battles are fought and a war is won. Relevant today and especially when Africa was handed back, this needs to be seen.

The Barbarian Invasions (2003)
It’s Canadian, but it’s in French – so it counts! A father who’s his own man sickens and his family slowly warms up to his rescue. Heavy issues are talked about by all the family members. The invading new world has enveloped us all and it may devour sooner rather than later. Though this may seem glum, the film has its funny moments and is highly introspective. Journey through this movie and come to accept the things that are inevitable.

Monsieur Ibrahim (2003)
This buddy film of two people who aren’t supposed to get along is touching to say the least. A Jewish boy and a Muslim elder strike up a friendship in a working-class neighborhood of Paris. The father-son combo embark on daily lessons and later end up in Turkey for a dreary finale.

The Best of Youth (2004)
This 6 hour drama about an Italian family that spans 40 years is the best film I have ever seen. The story, images and acting is superb. With the amount of time the stories and character’s are able to unfold naturally. The subtle movements of the intrusive camera are mouth watering; they go oh, so close, yet not to disturb, but to capture the character’s feeling and true essence. If you haven’t seen this, you don’t know what film is and can do!

Life Is Beautiful (1997)
A charming Benigni soothes his son at a concentration camp with an ongoing game. With such a dreary situation at hand, Benigni is able to make us feel as good as the kid. He never gives up hope even as his world is crumbling all around him. His eventual death off-camera is the one of the worst feelings in all of film.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)
The cutest kid you’d ever seen makes this film. A kid falls in love with cinema and he later revisits his hometown. His relationship with the film operator is one of the best screen tandems ever. Movies are movies, not real life. Nostalgic, yes, Bella YES!

Others: Remember Me My love (2003), Triplets of Belleville (2003), The Chorus (2004), The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), Il Postino (1995)