Les Diaboliques

Language: French                                Year: 1957

Widely considered 'the best film Hitchcock never made', Les Diaboliques is a bench mark for suspense thrillers and a film that has been imitated for the last fifty years. Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, a rival of hitchcocks at the time and a deserving runner up for the 'master of suspense' plaudit.

The Headteacher of a boarding school (Paul Meurisse) is drowned and killed by his long suffering wife and mistress (played by Vera Clouzot,the director's wife and Simone Signoret respectively). When the body appears to have disappeared and supposed sightings of the dead man appear around the school, the murderers start to lose their grip on reality.

This film is incredibly powerful. Over half a century old and still as gripping and affecting as was reported on it's release. The ending has a superb twist and is played out perfectly.

One of the more successful films of its time and one that showed filmmakers what you could really do with cinema.

WARNING: steer well clear of the Hollywood remake from the nineties staring Sharon Stone.

Of Gods And Men

Language: Arabic/French                                      Year: 2010

The thought of a seeing a film that intimately followes the lives of Trappest Monks in Algeria didn't fill me with excitement, but hearing all the plauudits it recieved I decided to give it a go... and I was hugely rewarded.

Set at the end of the 20th century and based on real events, this film allows the viewer to live life with these Monks, sharing in every detail of their day. Feeling like the monks are allowing you to share so much with them, you understand the purpose of routine and this really helps you empathise when their simple lives are interrupted as Islamic fundamentalists appear in the local village. Going against the armies offer for support, the Monks chose to stay at the monastery and continue their servitude. One stand out scene as the Monks sit in silence listening to swan lake, as the realisation of there choices sink in, makes you realise just how much you care about these men.

Winning the Grand Prix prize at Cannes and nominated for the Palm D'or and a Bafta, this for me is brave film making. slow, realistic, subtle and incredibly moving. The amount by which you care for these monks, knowing very little about them or their pasts is a testament to great film making.

This is film that rewards your patience and a great example of simple, beautiful cinema.

The Wave

Language: German                                               Year: 2008

Many of my favourite German films are set during the second world war or are depicting a struggle in the aftermath, most notably against the spread of Communism and the East/West German divide. This little gem is something slightly different. Although evoking themes of Nazism and fascism, this is a contemporary story.

After being given the task of teaching Autocracy during the schools annual project week, Rainer Wegner (played by Jurgen Vogel) decides to attempt a social experiment so the students can better understand life under a dictatorship. What starts out as a seemingly innocent, interesting examination, quickly veers off the rails and into an unmanageable, distressing state of affairs.

scary in its believability and a perfect exercise in the dangers of unsupervised authority. Vogel commands your attention as the passionate yet lamentable Rainer and is complimented by a great supporting cast of teenagers.

An entertaining picture but also an unnerving film that lingers in your memory long after viewing. With current struggles of countries fighting under oppressive dictatorships it couldn't be more relevant.

 

La Haine

Language: French                                               Year: 1995

Having recently watched Vincent Cassel in 'Black Swan' and not so long ago in the brilliant 2 part 'Mesrine', I was reminded of the french masterpiece he stole back in 1995. 

'La Haine' comes from a line said in the film "La haine attire la haine!" meaning hatred breeds hatred.

The film is set in a French suburb where violence is rife and the police seem to be the main providers of it. After Vinz (Vincent Cassel) procures a handgun during the previous nights riots, he threatens to retaliate against them for seriously beating and hospitalising his friend. As the viewer, we are invited to join Vinz and his two friends on a life changing 24 hours in their neighbourhood.

This film works because although the protagonists are violent, you sympathise with there plight and desperation to be heard. Don't be put off by thinking it is a standard french drama; this is closer in style to some of the grittier Noirs of the past like 'Dog Day Afternoon' or 'Mean Streets' with obvious similarities to some of the better films in the genre.

Beautifully shot in black and white emphasising the bleakness of their world, this is stand out french cinema.

City Of God

Language: Portuguese                                       Year: 2002

City of God is one of the few foreign language films that can call itself a 'crossover film'. Not only was it a huge success in it's native South America but it also saw mainstream success, garnering 4 Oscar nominations including best director for Fernando Meirelles (of Constant Gardener fame).

This film charts the life of various young people as they jostle for respect in one of the worlds roughest slums in Rio de Janeiro. Using original eye witness accounts to keep this film true to life, we are transported to the slums and  into the lives of those who spend their days in it's lurid surroundings.

The film is narrated by 'Rocket', a child of the slums who is desperate to escape the inevitable and create a knew life for himself as a photographer. For him, his camera is his way out but it is more than just a tool for Rocket, it's a device through which he can document his experiences and one which also helps the viewer feel like we are sharing them with him.

This is an absorbing experience and a film that shows it's not just Hollywood that makes blockbusters.