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The French Foreign Film Fiesta! written @ 7:45 PM on March 07, 2004 Today began my foreign film fiesta. Actually, it sort of began last night. After a fabulous afternoon of shopping, in which I victoriously bought a Harry Potter t-shirt from Hot Topic (the one with Sirius Black on the poster front with the words "Have You Seen This Wizard?"), Christine and I headed to the movie theaters to see The Passion of Christ. It is by far one of the most incredible films I have seen in a long time. The cinematography was phenomenal, and the actors were of high caliber. Yes, friends, you guessed it: it has the Sam Stamp of Approval. I especially liked how Mel Gibson sought to give Mary the Mother of God and Mary Magdelene the credit they deserve. The actress who plays Mother Mary should be a strong contender for the Oscar next year, but that's just my personal opinion. This morning I went to Blockbuster and Hollywood Video in an attempt to locate the French films that intrigued me during my research for French directors. I was rather disappointed I couldn't find anything by Godard, but I did manage to come away with some stuff by Mille, Truffaut, a few other random directors-- but mostly Truffaut. Then I rented Amelie for kicks. So began my fiesta of sorts. Reading subtitles and watching the action has made me a little cross-eyed since I did it all afternoon, but out of the eight or nine movies I rented, I managed to get through three. *sigh* This is going to be a long week. But on to the reviews! Au Revoir, Les Enfants (Good-bye, Children), directed by Mille, is set in German-occupied France in 1944 and is about a headstrong boy, Julien, who is half-heartedly on his way to becoming a priest, and attends a private Catholic school for wealthy families when he meets a new classmate, Bonnet. Their relationship starts off rocky until Julien discovers Bonnet is really not Bonnet but Jean I won't tell you the ending, but let's face it: it's a French film, therefore filled with "truth" and beaucoup de drama. And generally there aren't many happy endings. Next film: Amelie. Been wanting to see this one for some time; in short, it's about a quirky young woman who becomes inspired to make other people's lives happy and be a general do-gooder. Her schemes are clever, and she's full of inner wit and spirit. Problem is, she's an introvert. Half the movie is filled with her antics as she attempts to work behind the scenes to make her co-workers and neighbors' lives fulfilled, and the other half she spends trying to fulfill her own life as she pursues odd-ball beau. Amelie might remind you of me in some respects, which was a bit unnerving as I watched the film... must be the French blood in me. In any case, it has the Sam Stamp of Approval. Last movie I watched was The 400 Blows, directed by Truffaut. Synopsis: a delinquent boy attempts to survive childhood, i.e. cold school teachers, negligent parents, and the law. He ends up in a corrective ward/military school for young people, escapes, and runs for freedom. French critics hailed this film as one of the most poignant melodramas to come out since WWII (this movie is in black and white and was made in 1959), and everyone praised the kid actor and pitied his character's tough situation, which is said to mirror the director's own childhood experiences. What do I think? All around decent film, but, honestly, the kid had every bit of what was coming to him. The film ends with the kid by the sea (a symbolic moment), looking forlornly toward something the viewer cannot see. An uncertain future perhaps? A promise for another tomorrow? Is he a piece of driftwood floating on the surf? You decide. The Truffaut marathon continues tomorrow with The Wild Child, Small Change, and Jules and Jim. On a side note, since I like to interest all my readers, it is very difficult to find a foreign film of substance when you have to sift through all the porn. That was F.Y.I. for those wishing for a dose of culture. *** Before I continue my French film fiesta tomorrow, I have some business to take care of. First, a dentist appointment; this is bound to be interesting since I haven't been back to that place since they filled my ickle cavities six months ago. Today I came to realize that I harbor a small vendetta for that place. If you ever watched the movie We're In the Army Now with Paulie Shore, you might remember the quote from their dentist capadre, "Did you know that dentists are feared more than lawyers?" That has so much more meaning for me now, let me tell you. Now I can fully appreciate it and marvel at its poignancy. Second, I'm driving down to school to finish painting the sets for the show. Hopefully, that will take no more than four hours. What a way to spend your spring break... Oi vey. Tuesday, the film fiesta continues. Wednesday, I'm off to the art museum, where I'll spend my day buried in both a dream and a sketchbook... and three essays due for my classes. Yup. What a way to spend your spring break.
A Bit of History ~ And Onward! L'Amour Toujours! - August 08, 2005 |
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