2013 Foreign Language Academy Award Submissions

Tell me what you think!

Mads Mikkelsen in "Jagten"

I know I would be upset if Michael Haneke wins... and disappointing to see Denmark's official entry is not Jagten... but hoping to see if Mads Mikkelsen bringing home some Oscar ...

"Amour"

http://www.indiewire.com/article/complete-list-of-announced-2012-foreign-language-academy-award-submissions

"3"

3 Potatoes

Finally saw Tom Tykwer's latest film "3" (2010) - Drei on DVD.
Fun editing style, great music as usual and very Tykwer-esque.
You have to be very concentrated watching this film, no distraction otherwise you can get lost very easily. In fact, I rewound it a few times!

I enjoyed the story, interesting subject, but the end.... meh for me.

But I must say the actress Sophie Rois's acting was brilliant.


Synopsis (ENG): Berliners Hanna and Simon, a couple in their 40s, have grown comfortable in their marriage. Independently, each meets and romances Adam, a handsome younger man. When Hanna becomes pregnant, all three must face what they've tried to ignore. (Netflix)


Synopsis (GER): 20 Jahre sind Kunsttechniker Simon und TV-Moderatorin Hanna nun zusammen – eine lange Zeit, in der sich das eigentlich wunderbar harmonierende Berliner Pärchen doch ein wenig entfremdet hat. Was haben die beiden nicht alles schon durchgestanden? Kinderwünsche, Inneneinrichtung, Seitensprünge, Fehlgeburten; was soll da noch groß kommen? Und dann ist da plötzlich Adam Born, ein erfolgreicher Stammzellenforscher. Nacheinander laufen Simon und Hanna dem bisexuellen Charismatiker über den Weg und lassen sich beide mit ihm ein. Das geht eine Zeit lang gut und tatsächlich rückt das Paar über den Umweg ihrer streng geheimen Affären wieder näher zusammen. Zumindest, bis Hanna schwanger wird... (FILMSTARTS.de)


Official US Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5vCJDwgyGI


USA: DVD Available & Streaming Available on iTune

"In Darkness"

3 Potatoes

One of this year's Oscar Foreign Language Film Nominees "In Darkness" (2011) by Agnieszka Holland is based on true story. This is not the first time she made a film based on true story, one of her acclaimed film "Europa Europa" (1990) was the winner of the Golden Globes Foreign Language Film back in 1992 and was nominated for the Oscar Best Screen Play for the same year.

This film "In Darkness" has amazing casts; Polish actor Robert Wieckiewics, German actor Benno Fürmann, German actress Maria Schrader and many more.
Yet something was missing from the film in my opinion, I felt that the story was scattered around and it wasn't solid.

"Europa Europa" was much deeper and stronger film that still remains in my memory clearly.

Does this film has a Oscar quality? The story Yes. The film.. not so.




Synopsis: A dramatization of one man's rescue of Jewish refugees in the Nazi-occupied Polish city of Lvov. (IMDb)


Official site & Trailer: http://www.sonyclassics.com/indarkness/


USA: In Theater Now

一月ドラマ「ハングリー」JP DRAMA

1 Potato or less for the rip off...

So I started to catch up with the January starts of the JP drama...

This one I just saw "Hungry" (2012) was a disappointment to me...
It is a total rip off of a German movie "Soul Kitchen" (2009) by Fatih Akin. I liked this movie a lot but the whole story line and even the movie set is pretty identical.

Seriously, can't you get your own original story???

Shame on you "Hungry"!!!!!

SOUL KITCHEN: In Hamburg, German-Greek chef Zinos unknowingly disturbs the peace in his locals-only restaurant by hiring a more talented chef. (IMDb)

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.soul-kitchen-film.com/

SOUL KITCHEN: DVD AVAILABLE

"Pina" 3D - Wim Wenders' latest

4 Potatoes

Last night Wim Wender introduced us the completely "new way" to enjoy 3D.
His latest film "Pina" (2011) a documentary/performing art film about the choreographer
Pina Bausch.

This could be the totally new way of enjoying stage/theater production also. It makes you feel like you are sitting on the front raw of the theater watching the performing art. So real.
Wim Wenders said "...3D was the only way to film dance...". He was so right.

Wim Wenders & Pina

Not only this documentary stunned me by the new discovery, it is also perfect in quality: location choices, music, editing and length of film.

Highly recommended.


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.pina-film.de/en/

More about Pina Bausch: http://www.pina-bausch.de/en/pina_bausch/index.php




USA: In Theater December 23rd, 2011


Germany's Official Submission for the Oscar 2012: Foreign Language Film

AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 FILMS

FOREIGN FILM FESTIVALS ARE HERE!

There are many foreign film festivals around this season and I have a few recommendations.

Today's recommendation is "Around the World in 14 Films" if you are in Berlin, Germany area.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 FILMS

DATE: November 25th - December 3rd, 2011

PLACE: BABYLON Kino, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 30, Berlin-Mitte

PRICE: $ (0-10)   

FOR MORE INFO VISIT THEM on FACEBOOK

WHAT: Every year in the beginning of december the International Filmfestival AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 FILMS brings together 14 extraordinary independent films from 14 regions around the world, to show and share with Berlin's discerning cinema public. From South America to Africa, through different parts of Europe to the Near East, through the Middle East and Central Asia to parts of the Far East, and on to North and Central America: 14 films representing 14 different, personal, artistic visions of 14 areas of the world.

Each of the 14 films will be presented by another leading German cinema director, who will introduce both the film and the international director (if he is in attendance), and then moderate a discussion with the audience and the director immediately after the film.
Already shown and praised at various international film festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam, Locarno and Venice, most of them are yet still without German distribution, these films have been all but unavailable to audiences in Berlin. (Around the World in 14 Films)

"When We Leave"

4 Potatoes

"When We Leave" (2010) - die Fremde by Feo Aladag was the Oscar official submission from Germany this year. Unfortunately it didn't make the final nominees, but it won many prestigious awards through out the year.

It is so weird to think that this type of Honor Killing is still happening all over the world. "They" value the Family Honor yet Killing people = Committing murder is Okay??
They are supposed to be looking for a better life which they couldn't have in their own country.
But they are dragging their old culture into the new and supposedly the better life. WHY?
So many things do not make any sense.

This is a movie about Turkish immigrant family in Germany.
Highly recommended.

Synopsis: Umay is an young girl of Turkish descent, fighting for an independent and self-determined life in Germany against the resistance of her family. Her struggle initiates a dynamic, which results in a life-threatening situation. (IMDb)


Available on DVD June 7, 2011