Movie reviews

WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL

I skipped "다만 악에서 구하소서" ("Deliver Us From Evil") and "미나리" ("Minari") which I had seen and reviewed in the past. 

인트로덕션 (INTRODUCTION)

Recommended. Shot in black and white and very simple a tale but filled with so much geniality in the relationships, it was a truly warm introduction to the festival. It's basically an intimate tale of family, love and friendship. But it also showcases Korean etiquette which either refreshes your knowledge of Korean culture or introduces you to it. A perfect opening movie.

The safest screening ever. Vaccination certificates were checked on entry and only one old Polish chap was rude not to wear a mask.

CINEMAFORUM - KWESTIA CZASU (MATTER OF TIME)

MAIN COMPETITION 4TH SCREENING

The screening encompassed 4 short films:

WITNESS

Watchable. Very well acted, with decent script and cinematography. While the story's extraordinary, the image of Iran shows ordinary life like in any other country. No solution to the depicted problem is given though.

NOITE TURVA (THROUGH THE HAZE)

Watchable. I have no idea what it's about but varied pictures make it bearable.

INHERENT

Watchable. Gore fans will be satisfied but poor acting and unclear content spoil the film.

GOOD THANKS, YOU? 

Recommended. Realistic, the reactions to the rape manifest all sorts of prejudice, the camera emphasises her feeling surrounded by bigoted people as well her and her boyfriend's reactions. Excellent acting and camerawork form an effective allegory of societal vices.

WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL

검객 (THE SWORDSMAN)

Watchable. Opens with gruesome images flashing, some acted, some drawn but unsettling enough. But the movie is a full-blown period drama, with locations, costumes and languages reflecting the reality of four centuries ago. The political intrigue, though, is confusing, especially if you don't know Korean history well. About mid-way through the core plot is revealed. And it's only the central storyline that I understood, the complexities of the political situation as well as customs of the time were beyond my comprehension. Plenty of fights in the second half, with a predictable ending. That part is also brutal, though not to the extent Korean cinema often is. Based on actual historical events. Sadly translated from English so with some inaccuracies. 

혼자 사는 사람들 (ALONERS)

Watchable. A compelling drama which sees a call centre worker come to terms with her and others' loneliness. In fact, it's a thought-provoking societal picture of contemporary life. The story itself is a mixture of everyday and unusual - though the protagonist takes everything in her stride. You never know which way it's going to develop, even with hints the girl is gradually rediscovering herself in relation to the world. Very well acted and enacted. Cinematography is perfect all the time but also offers one particularly awe-inspiring shot of a bus ride with the street reflected in the bus windows as she's leaving the city - the bus is blue meaning suburban or longer distance. It's only the cold she and her boss exude that makes you want to distance yourself from the protagonists.

Both seen online. Cinematic reception might differ. 

CINEMAFORUM

BAFTA 2021

7 short films of good quality:

EYELASH

Watchable. OCD perfectly explained, also in relation to love.

LIZARD

Watchable. Beautifully shot - sunny Lagos and the magnificent use of perspective - contrasts the harsh Nigerian reality - that's not always lucid.

LUCKY BREAK

Recommended. Masterful plot. With a pinch of salt. Perfect cast. Steve Oram is superb.

THE FIRE NEXT TIME

Watchable. Modern-style animation where wall and ground texture is either real or a perfect imitation, visually attractive but the yobs plot is rudimentary and superficial. 

THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

Watchable. A pleasant poem. The animation doesn't look like wax, more like paintings. 

الهدية (THE PRESENT)

Recommended. Daily Palestinian life consists of humiliations and obstacles thrown in the way. Engaging.

THE SONG OF A LOST BOY

Watchable. The little wax figures are revolting but a beautiful use of light in the finale is the film's saving grace.

RUNNING FOR GRACE

Recommended. Splendid vistas of Hawaii dazzle you from the start. The tale, set a century ago, is captivating. Beautiful, verdant land, period costumes, flowers in the residence embellish a story which is warm and offers a bit of laughter, especially Jo's first conducted examination of a patient, tension when villains come to play, several heartfelt scenes and a fairy-tale ending. Gentle score, sound once coming from the right, which perfectly mimics what the 'docs' could hear leaving the patient's bedroom. Amiable goodies and awful, yet treated with a pinch of salt, baddies. A delight.

WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL

죽여주는 여자 (THE BACCHUS LADY)

Recommended. An elderly lady suffering from an STD comes as a surprise, even more so when you learn what she does for a living. Oscar-winner 윤여정 (Youn Yuh-jung) in the leading role (it's a pre-Oscar film of hers). Also the kid is remarkable in the tear-jerking scene in the prison. The film tells about aging and the prospect of dying, moral choices, poverty, as wel as an untold part of history, the twisted fates of some Koreans and Americans resulting from politics high above them, as if transparent but affecting all those at the bottom the most. Never quite predictable but always consistent with the character and very humane. Powerful.

Seen online. Cinematic reception might differ.