The Skin I Live In

La piel que habito 7 Nov 2012 Director: Pedro Almodovar Spain 2011 117 min An occasionally disturbing – but nonetheless stunning – film, The Skin I Live In revisits many themes familiar from earlier Almodovar works: identity, revenge, and overwhelmingly powerful emotions. Running throughout is the idea of dark secrets and revelation. Plastic surgeon Robert… Continue reading The Skin I Live In

The Well Digger’s Daughter

La fille du puisatier 26 Sept 2012 Director: Daniel Auteuil France 2011 107 min Love and forgiveness are the overwhelming themes of Daniel Auteuil’s beautifully shot and hugely enjoyable directorial debut. It is no coincidence that this film reminds viewers of ‘Jean de Florette’ and ‘Manon des Sources’ – all three stories share a writer… Continue reading The Well Digger’s Daughter

A Separation

24 Oct 2012 Director: Asghar Farhadi Iran 2011 123 min Director and screenwriter Farhadi has created a superbly crafted film about moral and ethical contradictions that face all of us irrespective of our surroundings. The tension is palpable throughout as the densely plotted story unfolds.Simin (Leila Hatami) wants to leave Iran with husband Nader (Peyman… Continue reading A Separation

The Lady

21 Nov 2012 Director: Luc Besson France, UK 2011 132 min Action thriller veteran Luc Besson may not be the obvious choice of director for the story of Aung San Suu Kyi (played with understated panache by Michelle Yeoh), the woman at the core of Burma’s democracy movement. Nonetheless the Frenchman brings a deft touch… Continue reading The Lady

Monsieur Lazhar

19 Dec 2012 Director: Philippe Falardeau Canada 2011 94 min The ‘inspirational teacher’ movie has become something of a cliché in recent years, but this Oscar nominated film from Canada avoids the usual sentiment and predictability in favour of a darker and ultimately more satisfying approach.Elderly Algerian immigrant Lazhar (the impressive Mohamed Fellag) is hired… Continue reading Monsieur Lazhar

La Fille du Puisatier

The Well Digger’s Daughter 26 Sept 2012 Director: Daniel Auteuil France 2011 107 min Love and forgiveness are the overwhelming themes of Daniel Auteuils’ beautifully shot and hugely enjoyable directorial debut. It is no coincidence that this film reminds viewers of ‘Jean de Florette’ and ‘Manon des Sources’ – all three stories share a writer… Continue reading La Fille du Puisatier

La piel que habito

The Skin I Live In 07 Nov 2012 Director: Pedro Almodóvar Spain 2011 117 min An occasionally disturbing – but nonetheless stunning – film, The Skin I Live In revisits many themes familiar from earlier Almodóvar works: identity, revenge, and overwhelmingly powerful emotions. Running throughout is the idea of dark secrets and revelation. Plastic surgeon… Continue reading La piel que habito

Las Acacias

16 Jan 2013 Director: Pablo Giorgelli Argentina 2011 82 min Simple and taciturn, this gentle drama unfolds almost languorously as the protagonist’s lumber truck covers mile after mile of Argentinean highway. Long distance lorry driver Rubén (German de Silva) is told by his boss that he must take a woman and her infant child with… Continue reading Las Acacias

Et maintenant on vaou?

Where Do We Go Now? 13 Feb 2013 Director: Nadine Labaki France, Lebanon 2011 110 min A Lebanese comedy-drama about religious conflict may not seem an obvious recipe for success, but this film manages to pull off the tricky balancing act with wit and aplomb. Director Labaki also stars, as one of a group of… Continue reading Et maintenant on vaou?

La source des femmes

The Source Director: Radu Mihaileanu 13 Mar 2013 Belgium 2011 135 min While this charming film from the director of ‘The Orchestra’ might appear to have parallels with ‘Where do we go now?’, in fact its theme of empowered women runs closer to ‘Made in Dagenham’. The women of the unnamed village have been expected… Continue reading La source des femmes