شیطان وجود ندارد (THERE IS NO EVIL)
Recommended. Structure alternating grave distress with periods of normality, striking shots, the way of putting all the elements together make the picture compelling and bearable - taken the heavy topic - at the same time. Delves into the Iranian political system which requires you to get your hands dirty, examines how capital punishment entangles the society.
よこがお (A GIRL MISSING)
Watchable. Intriguing beginning. Seemed to develop into a crime story but turned out to be a psychological drama, on a bit disturbing side. Engaging but disappointing, especially that the crime subplot never gets explained.
SEULES LES BETES (ONLY THE ANIMALS)
Recommended. This crime drama is superb due to the astonishing African twist. On a deeper level, misplaced feelings and the complexity of inter-human and international economic relations.
BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHE
Watchable. Double exposures of a road with a map superimposed on it or, better still, modern-day location views with scenes from century-old Alice Guy-Blaché's films - technically perfect. I think the double exposures applied by Pamela B. Green were no coincidence - it was Alice Guy-Blaché who used them first. The family and work ties presented in the documentary, though important, are complex and I don't quite get them. But it's touching to learn of her impact on other film-makers. The portrayal of the female pioneer of the cinema is comprehensive, Pamela B. Green finally gave her justice which had been denied by envious men writing history books.
The Polish version has white subtitles - for mostly black and white pictures - which renders them unintelligible, the transmission volume is very low so you can't hear much of Jodie Foster's (who was also one of several executive producers) narration or the interviewees either. The film started late too.
LA DEA FORTUNA (THE GODDESS OF FORTUNE)
Watchable. Set in Naples again - just like Ferzan Özpetek's earlier enigmatic "Napoli velata" ("Naples in Veils"). Shot beautifully in vivid colours which distinguishes it from the earlier tale. This one starts with a secret, then lets you forget about it only to bring it back towards the ending. I guess it'll speak to people in long-term relationships best since it revolves around the topic. It features Italian music, including songs but they dance to Turkish music, a nod to his origins.
SEURAPELI (GAMES PEOPLE PLAY)
Watchable. The distributor tried to pass it off as a comedy. But it's far from that. It's a serious in tone dissection of all sorts of relationships in a group of 30-year-olds who've mostly known each other since school. Christian Hillborg looks hot and in this manner stands out from the rest of the acting crew.
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