DONE: No. 14- Monthly International Culture Club - Part Two: The Films

One of my monthly tasks - to explore international culture.  I've already written about the books in translation I read, now it's the turn of the 'foreign language' (for this monoglot) films I've watched this past year. Again, I tried to visit different continents - twelve different countries, twelve very different stories. The list of films were chosen mostly by myself and for different reasons, but some were recommended by LFS (London Film School) alumni. Having spent 14 glorious and happy years working in an international film school surrounded by immensely talented, creative and gifted filmmakers from around the globe, it would have been stupid to not draw on their knowledge of world cinema. So, the list:

France - Jules Et Jim
Italy - La Dolce Vita
Iran - Taste of Cherry
Brazil - City of God
Germany - Goodbye Lenin
India - Queen
Mexico - Pans Labrynth
Spain - El Sur
South Africa - Tsotsi
Wales - Hedd Wynn
Japan - Spirited Away
Sweden--Wild Strawberries

A fairly eclectic mix, covering most continents with films from various eras. Unlike the books, where I loved every single one, the films divided me. Even though I suppose I got something from each of them, a few really bugged me or disappointed. I know this is a case of each to their own and I can still acknowledge artistry but the two I really struggled with were Spirited Away and La Dolce Vita. Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli I accept might just not be my thing but I really wanted to bite my skin off while watching it. La Dolce Vita - God I wanted to love this film so much and I did enjoy the authentic glimpse of Italy in the 60s but it was too long and the characters were too obnoxious, I get that was the point, the original paparazzi and all that...

Of the rest. I think I had three clear favourites:

 

Hedd Wyn, the only Welsh language film ever to be shortlisted for a Oscar. I loved this. It tells the true story of a Welsh poet sent to fight in France during World War One. Most of the film focuses on his life as a North Wales farmer, with a poetic bent. While in France, he submits an epic poem to the Eisteddfod Committee - a huge deal - and it wins. Unfortunately he died from battle wounds without ever knowing he'd finally achieved his dream.

Tsotsi I found similar to City of God which I also enjoyed.  Both films are exceedingly violent - not usually a fan at all of violent films - but the violence I suppose is relevant because of the areas and the backgrounds of the characters involved, City of God is set in a Brazilian favela and Tsotsi is set in a Jo'Burg slum.  Now, I don't particularly believe that difficult backgrounds necessarily means you have to be a thug...Where Tsotsi won over City of God for me was the extra storyline of the inadvertently kidnapped baby.  Even though it was a horrific situation it did show the slightly more humane side of the main character and even though he put the parents of the baby through hell, he did the right thing in the end.

Finally, my favourite of all these films and favourite just because for me, who grew up during the Cold War and witnessed - via the news - the Berlin Wall coming down and the fall of communism it was bloody interesting:

Not sure how critically acclaimed this film is but it was just pure entertainment from start to finish.  I was in the middle of specialising in studying Communism and the Cold War and the 'Superpowers' at University when the Wall did come down, so to see a film about normal life on the 'other side' was a revelation.  And it was funny, and the characters just loved their Mum, and the main character - he's pretty cute!

Of the other films, the LFS influenced films, Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry, Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries and Victor Erice's El Sur were close contenders.

So, this could be a controversial post considering that I know so many filmmakers!  But, this is the ex-School Secretary/Student Services Manager of the LFS's view.  And I am open to suggestion of what other foreign language films to watch in the future.  This 'international culture' task will continue in my life!