Two very dark and slow-paced Austrian films: Michael, about a paedophile who keeps a small boy in his basement. Pretty grim and hard to watch, but fascinating. And the ending is excellent. It was made by the guy who was Haneke's casting director for Das Weiße Band, and though it seems lazy to make the comparison, you can definitely see Haneke's influence:
The other was called Atmen (Breathing), about a young offender working in a morgue as part of a day-release programme. Also a bit gloomy but with a slightly more upbeat ending.
I've seen a couple of other Austrian films as part of a German course at uni, and they seem to be without fail these sort of gritty, urban films with people on the very edge of society. Good though.
Then I also saw the new Almodóvar film, I'm So Excited, at the cinema. Great entertainment, but it was pretty lightweight compared to a lot of his films, despite having some pretty obvious political metaphors.
And while I was on holiday I watched The Imposter, which I found hard to believe was a documentary. Very odd indeed.
Watched some great films recently.
Two very dark and slow-paced Austrian films: Michael, about a paedophile who keeps a small boy in his basement. Pretty grim and hard to watch, but fascinating. And the ending is excellent. It was made by the guy who was Haneke's casting director for Das Weiße Band, and though it seems lazy to make the comparison, you can definitely see Haneke's influence:
MICHAEL Trailer - YouTube
The other was called Atmen (Breathing), about a young offender working in a morgue as part of a day-release programme. Also a bit gloomy but with a slightly more upbeat ending.
Breathing Movie Trailer 2011 Official HD - YouTube
I've seen a couple of other Austrian films as part of a German course at uni, and they seem to be without fail these sort of gritty, urban films with people on the very edge of society. Good though.
Then I also saw the new Almodóvar film, I'm So Excited, at the cinema. Great entertainment, but it was pretty lightweight compared to a lot of his films, despite having some pretty obvious political metaphors.
And while I was on holiday I watched The Imposter, which I found hard to believe was a documentary. Very odd indeed.