Various Foreign Films

118. Au Revoir Les L'Enfant s (1987) Malle. Story of the friendship between two boys in WW II France. Several Jewish boys are hidden in a provincial Catholic boarding school. Well directed and acted - but downbeat and predictable. The relatively low rating reflects my boredom at "Kids at School" stories. Rating **1/2

Forbidden Games (1952) - Clement. Probably the best performance by a child actor I've ever seen. Story of a young girl whose parents are killed. She's taken in by a peasant family and forms a relationship with the youngest son. A masterpiece of subtle emotion that is both a meditation on childhood innocence and an anti-war movie. A Masterpiece. Rating ****

Crazed Fruit (1956) Nakahira. Interesting story of 2 Japanese brothers and a mysteriousness young girl. A Japanese equivalent of the JD (Rebellious film) of the 50s. An interesting view of late 50s Japan and contrast to its western equivalents. Some slow spots - but overall quite enjoyable The lead actress is quite pretty. Rating ***

Double Suicide (1969) - Shinoda. Co-stars K. Nakamura and S. Iwashita. B&W 104 minutes. In this adaption of a 1720 Bunraku puppet play, a Japanese paper merchant is obsessed with a prostitute, and sacrifices everything for her. Well written and superbly acted. A riveting movie that distances the viewer by having the actors assume the role of puppets and showing the puppeteers wordlessly rearranging the sets. An original movie, that reminded me of a Greek Tragedy. Rating ***

Germany Year Zero (1948) - Rossellini. Stars Edmund Moeschke. B&W 73 minutes. A portrait of war torn Berlin through the eyes of a 12 year old boy. Living in poverty with his sick father and older siblings the boy is ensnared in the black market and a former Nazi School teacher. The concluding part of Rossellini’s war trilogy. Filmed on location with unknown actors in the Neo-realism style. Fascinating views of bombed out Berlin circa 1948. And a well done, well- directed, moving, story. Like "Double Suicide" enjoyable if you’re in the right mood. Rating ***

253. Ashes and Diamonds (1970) - Wadja. The last in Wadja's "War Trilogy" and is the follow-on movie to"Kanal". While "Kanal" concerned the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, Diamonds follows a group of Polish Patriots who are attempting to assassinate a mid-level Communist official in May 1945. As with "Kanal" the acting and directing are first rate. The movie deals (on a small scale) not only with Poland's sad fate of going from German occupation to a Communist dictatorship but with the problem men had in adjusting to a life of peace. Compared to "Kanal" - the movie is slower paced, more contemplative and has very little "action". Still quite good. Rating ***

87. La Belle Noiseuse (1991) Rivettte Stars Michael Piccoli and Jane Birkin A once famous artist tries to finish his masterpiece using a intelligent, strong-willed, model. About the creation of art and the conflicts between model and artists. Nice to look at and the leads are excellent actors. However, neither the characters - nor the story - justifies the 3 1/2 hour run time. Rating **1/2


Era Notte a Roma (1960) - 3 Allied are hidden by Italian civilians in Rome circa 1944. Good acting and well directed but the male leads aren't charismatic enough and the story meanders and drags. Definitely a minor work. Rating **1/2


L'atalante (1934) Funny, romantic, and realistic story of Jean, the captain of L’Atalante and new bride Jean, as they begin their life together on-board the barge, sailing through the canals of France. I really enjoyed it - one of the best. However, it *is* a B&W 1930s French Film - so its not for everyoneRating ****