Movie reviews

SCRIPT FIESTA

 שְׁעַת נְעִילָה (VALLEY OF TEARS) EP. 1&2 (2020)

Recommended. Archive footage is mixed with fiction - though based on the real events of the Yom Kippur war of 1973 - e.g. it mixes an archive black and white air raid with the protagonists in tanks below. The war plot tackles also cultural and ethnic issues through varied characters, my favourite being the hapless intelligence guy who's never believed by others. The end credits are accompanied by recordings from the invasion. After the 2 episodes I'm curious how the offensive is going to advance and would love to see the protagonists again.

There were English and Polish subtitles - on light backgrounds therefore not always clear from a distance.

K-ANIMATION

돼지의 왕 (THE KING OF PIGS) (2011)

Recommended. It's unfair that "기생충" ("Parasite") got an Oscar while "돼지의 왕" ("The King of Pigs") goes into the same issues much more profoundly and harrowingly. It's superbly written - both the action and the narrative. The story's psychologically insightful. 김철 (Chol) looks like Bruce Lee and is just as feisty - up to a moment. The tale is dark, shockingly brutal and leaves no hope - you can't beat the system. It puts lots of emphasis on hierarchy - the root cause of the pathology in the presented world. The plot, with its twists and turns as well as the changes of perception, is gripping.

반도에 살어리랏다 (I'LL JUST LIVE IN BANDO) (2018)

Recommended. A tragicomic take on career and life aspirations. Keeps you in suspense since, even though you can understand the protagonist's motivations, you can never foresee his actions. The pathologies of a hierarchical system feature also in this movie. Animation-wise, it uses screen light smartly - with colour some images glow.

As for the mojeekino.pl screenings, big subtitles on dark gray background didn't interfere with the picture and let me watch it from a distance. Perfect quality both in form and substance.