It is Foreign Language week over at Wandering Through The Shelves and I chose 3 that, I think, are pretty good so let's get to it! Here are my 3...
1. THE BICYCLE THIEVES-1948
This film is called an Italian NeoRealist film directed by Vittorio De Sica using, mostly, non actors in the film roles and they do a superb job. A young couple and their son are trying to make ends meet, after the war, with jobs very scarce. The father sees a job but needs a bicycle and he has one! On his first day out, his bicycle is stolen and, frantic, with worry about losing this job, he sets out with his little boy to find the thieves. I wasn't sure about this film until I saw it and was enraptured by the people especially the little boy and his dad. The tense situation that he, and so many others, are faced with, in trying to survive in post World War 2, make this a very, at times, tense but moving film. This kid just about steals the picture. Even if you are not into foreign movies, this one is so visually stunning that, before you know it, you want to see him find his bicycle.
2. DAS BOOT-1981
If you are looking for a good time to lighten your day...this movie is not for you. It is, well, quite depressing to be honest which is why I have not seen it in so long but that does not mean it is not excellent. You feel for the German sailors on this submarine who must deal with the Nazi machine, low morale and possible death as they maneuver through one delicate mission after another. They are finally able to take leave when they are told to keep moving which does not bode well for the men on this sub. You are immersed (couldn't help myself) in their lives and what they are going through plus you feel the claustrophobia which got to me and I am sitting in a chair in the theatre. It is worth a watch.
3. IL POSTINO-1994
I just love this film which made me laugh, wish and cry for the main protagonist played brilliantly by Massimo Troisi, who believed so much in this film that he decided to make and finish this film rather than get much needed medical help for his heart. He died 12 hours after the last bit of this film was done. He was only 41 and knew his heart was very weak but still decided to ride the bicycle in certain parts of the film against doctor's and the director orders. Everyone on set was very concerned for him but this actor was determined to finish this film. He got an Oscar nomination(posthumously) for this role but didn't win. This shy postman brings letters to Neruda, a famous poet, exiled from Chile for his political views and they slowly develop a friendship. Neruda helps the Postman write poetry as well as find the courage to ask the young, voluptuous woman, at her mom's cafe, to be his. This is a love story on many different levels not just the obvious, telling us that we must pursue our true passion no matter the cause.
Which 3 can you think of?
I remember Das Boot.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
I totally forgot about Crouching Tiger which is such a great movie. I loved the scene in the trees. I also love the unspoken love story between the older couple...I love Michelle Yeoh
DeleteI agree that Das Boot isn't a happy view but its such a great movie full of tension, suspense and wonderful acting all thanks to a strong directorial hand.
ReplyDeleteSorry to say I found The Bicycle Thieves akin to watching paint dry. But I know others find it gripping. I watched it years ago with my cousin and her then husband, she wept at the end....so did we but with tears of joy that it was finally over!!
Il Postino is one I've wanted to see forever but then I forget about it. Hopefully TCM will show it sometime and I'll see it then. The story behind the film is either heartbreaking or inspiring (or both) depending on how you look at it.
Well this week's theme is so broad it's nearly impossible to scale back. My solution was to pick one film per country that I'd seen relatively recently (also my way of making sure I hadn't used them before.)
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)-An Italian police inspector (Gian Maria Volonte) held in high regard within the department and community murders his mistress and then insinuates himself into the homicide investigation that follows. Believing he is above suspicion he takes it as a game to plant clues at the crime scene to test the competence and integrity of Italian law enforcement. Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
A Colt is My Passport (1967)-Hitman Shuji Kamimura (Joe Shishido) and his partner Shun Shiozaki (Jerry Fujio) are hired by yakuza boss Senzaki to kill a rival whose greed has become a problem. The job comes off but then the pair runs into complications that seem to be headed in a deadly direction. This pastiche of noir/yakuza/spaghetti Western takes you on a wild ride.
Orpheus (1950)-During an altercation in a Parisian Cafe involving the poet Orphée (Jean Marais) rival poet Cègeste (Edouard Dermithe) is killed. A mysterious princess (María Casares) appears and insists on taking Orpheus and the body away in her Rolls-Royce. Orphée soon finds himself in the underworld, where the Princess announces that she is, in fact, Death. Orpheus escapes in the Rolls back to the land of the living but at a cost. Jean Cocteau directed this surrealistic updating of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
OMG! You made me laugh with Bicycle Thieves...hahahaaa. I love this film but, each to their own. I hope you see Il Postino just to see the lead actor who gave his all for this movie, sad to say. Yes, Das Boot is gripping for sure and I will see it again...after all these years.
DeleteI have not seen any of your picks but man, I want to. The first film sounds like a cat and mouse game which I love while the second one sounds like a wild ride. I so want to see Orpheus and have for years. It is right up my alley.
I've only seen The Bicycle Thieves and it was such a beautiful but sad film.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite sad.
DeleteI remember a friend in high school was obsessed with Das Boot! Sadly, I've never seen it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see it one day.
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI don't know which type of films I avoid more - musicals or foreign language. :) Forgive my ignorance on today's topic. However, you will be happy to know that Mrs. Shady and I did watch Das Boot around 20 years ago. It was hard to get through, but I recognized it as a fine piece of work.
Jumping back up to your first reviewed film, I admire the technique of using non-actors for the sake of realism. Some iconic music videos have also been produced in which non-actors have been utilized. Bicycle Thief seems like another high quality work that can be hard to watch in places. I always admire a young scene stealer.
That's an incredible story about Massimo Troisi, one of the most important actors of Italian theater and cinema. He threw caution to the wind and pushed himself to complete The Postman, even though it killed him. A true artist, he gave his all to his craft. Of your three spotlight movies, The Postman would be of most interest to me because I am drawn to a great love story.
Thank you very much, dear friend BB!
Hello Dear Shady. I am so happy you comment even when the genre is not your favourite. I love Il Postino and his love for his art truly did take his life. I think he knew he was not going to live no matter what so he gave his all.
DeleteHi Birgit, I've only ever seen Das Boot out of your three movies,I've seen it a few times and think it's a brilliant movie.
ReplyDeleteI also like the Japanese Samurai film, we have quite a few at home on DVD, Kate x
It is an excellent film for sure and one I want to see again. I have seen a few Japanese Samurai films but not many.
DeleteThe Bicycle Thief has been on my list for ages. I really need to get around to that. I haven't seen any of your picks this week.
ReplyDeleteHope you see it and I hope you give the other 2 a chance as well.
DeleteI love foreign films and I've seen all your picks. First one that popped into my head was Chocolat. Guess that tells you what is on my mind at dinner time.
ReplyDeleteChocolat is such a good film but they speak English in this film. I am on weight Watchers and back on my strict hypoglycaemic diet so...no more chocolate for me.
DeleteI haven't seen your choices but want to see them. Most of my foreign language films are French. My favorite is Amélie.
ReplyDeleteI still have to see Amelie believe it or not.
DeleteI haven't seen any, but I've heard of all three. I don't usually see foreign language films, so I couldn't contribute to this one. I should expand my horizons, I think.
ReplyDeleteGlad. You heard of them. If one isn’t into it, then one isn’t into it.😁
DeleteHaven't we done this one?
ReplyDeleteI know your first and third. I've never seen the 2nd but I know I should.
Cinema Paradiso (Italian) and Tampopo (Japanese) are two of my all-time favorites in any language. For my third, I'll go with Amelie (French). I named one of our cats after the title character. I named a car after Totoro.
We like foreign films.
I think we have done this one before, for sure. I still have to see Cinema Paradiso and Amelie. I know, I must rectify this.
DeleteYou made three excellent choices. I tend not to watch too many subtitled films unless I'm watching by myself because my wife doesn't like to deal with the subtitles (like a lot of folks).
ReplyDeleteHere are three of my picks:
Pather Panchali (1955) is an Indian film by Satyajit Ray. I watched this a few weeks ago and it really impressed me with its gritty look at the rural poor in India. It's the first part of a trilogy and now I want to see the next two films in the series.
Wings of Desire (1987) a German film by Wim Wenders. An English language remake of sorts came out in 1998 called City of Angels with Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan, which I also liked but it lacked the ethereal magic of the original.
La Cienega (2001) is a rather peculiar film from Argentina. Just up my alley for weirdness rooted in reality. This is one I want to see again.
Oh, and anything by Fellini...
So many films I could think of in this category!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I knew this one would be right up your alley even if not one of your wife’s favourite. I would love to see the German film which sounds better than that one with Cage and Ryan. I almost chose 8 1/2.
DeleteThis was all foreign to me, Birgit. Not only have I not seen any of these films, I've not even heard of them. However, I came for the synopses, which I always enjoy, so thanks for these fun reads.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you enjoy reading my synopsis even though you have not seen or heard of these films.
DeleteI'm not familiar with these. They sound very intense. Your knowledge of films always leaves me in awe.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling well.
I’m glad you enjoy reading my synopsis and, yes, the first 2 are intense whereas the last is full of life. I’m have not been in the best shape recently, bummer.
DeleteI recently saw Roma and I know this seems to be a polarizing film. People either love it or hate it. Me? I loved it. There's a mood and a distinct ambience to it I found very appealing. Life is Beautiful is another film I'd categorize as profoundly memorable. City of God was another amazing foreign film. And, for good measure, The Seven Samurai will always be a gold standard among foreign films.
ReplyDeleteI still have to see Roma and, yes, people either love it or hate it and find it boring. I have to still see it. Love Life Is Beautiful which I want to see again as well as Seven Samurai. I have not seen City of God.
DeleteI haven't seen any of your picks yet but I've heard about all of them. The Bicycle Thief is one I came across a lot recently, So I realy want to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI love the Bicycle Thief so I hope you see it.
DeleteHaven't seen any of these. Anyway Das Boot recently got a new TV series adaptation.
ReplyDelete