Blog Archives
Flash Movie Review: In Darkness
As I prepared to sit and watch this nearly 2 1/2 hour movie, I pondered the idea of people forced to live in a sewer to stay alive. When you hear this, you think it is not possible, that it is a made up story. However, it was not only a true story, but it was an experience that this movie depicted deftly, with no apologies. Leopold Socha played by Robert Wieckiewicz (All Will Be Well, Little Rose) was a sewer worker in the Nazi occupied town of Lvov, Poland. With Jews being rounded up for deportation to concentration camps or to be killed immediately, Socha was presented with an opportunity to make money off of the Jews’ plight–charge them money to be hidden in the town’s sewers, that he knew so well. What surprised me about this movie was its depiction of human nature. In the face of being exterminated, to see the petty fighting, sexual urges and jealously among the victims was something I have not seen in previous holocaust movies. The filming was a remarkable feat. The ability to convey the steady darkness in the sewers, yet provide us glimpses into the survivors’ daily perils, where things appeared more oppressive in the lightless dank, archaic sewer system was remarkable. This was not an easy movie to watch, but compared to what those people had to endure, it put my mind in the proper perspective. Nominated for an Oscar in the best foreign film category. Polish/German/Ukrainian/Yiddish with English subtitles.
3 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Days of Glory
I did not need to understand what the actors were saying in this movie; in fact, I did not. The actors were so good, I easily felt what they were going through in, what I have to tell you were some intense scenes. Among the outstanding cast were Jamel Debbouze (Amelie, Outside the Law) as Said Otmari and Samy Naccri (The Code, Return to Algiers) as Yassir. During World War II, France was aided by enlisted men from North Africa, to help liberate France from Nazi occupation. These men hoped that with their help, in freeing the “motherland,” they would be treated as equals by the French. I never knew about this part of history and was dumbfounded that in the middle of this horrific war, where there was common ground, the North African soldiers still experienced racist encounters. They were denied promotions, time for leave–were not allowed the same food as the French soldiers who were fighting along side of them. To see these men devote themselves to the common good, in spite of such treatment, was inspiring to me. A former Oscar nominated movie, that brings to light an ugly injustice. French/Arabic with English subtitles.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: A Separation
The issues of elder care and child care are not unique to this movie’s family; they easily could be concerns for anyone around the world. But it is the choices made by husband Nader, played by Peyman Maadi (About Elly) and wife Simin, played by Leila Hatami (The Deserted Station, Leila), that make this movie an incredible experience. Riveting with emotional depth and strong characters, I immediately was taken in with the story, forgetting this was a movie, it seemed so real. Simin wants to move to another country, so her daughter can have a better life; Nader wants to stay in Iran to take care of his father, in decline with Alzheimer’s disease. From these conflicts, others emerge that only increase the tensions building up inside the characters. I absolutely understand why this amazing film was chosen as an Oscar nominee for best foreign movie. As the credits began to roll, the rest of the audience joined me in honoring this film with our applause. Persian with English subtitles.
4 stars
moviejoltz 