OTHER LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 5, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Portuguese language film reviews
Cidade de Deus (2002)
City of God
An independent language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
Cidade de Deus (City of God) is set in a slum in Rio de Janeiro where the lives of many characters sometimes intersect each other through drugs and gun warfare. It is a notoriously violent slum where even the police rarely go and the residents are lucky if they live beyond their childhood. Busca Pé (Rocket) is the narrator of the story, but he is also an example of hope for the other kids who live in the slums. He is too scared to be a hoodlum but also too clever to work in menial jobs. His interest in photography is what draws him back into the slums and records the violence and reality of life there, through the eye of the lens.
This is an entertaining yet powerful film showing real life in the favelas (shanty towns) in Rio de Janeiro. It’s particularly shocking and hard to watch in places and even more disturbing to know that it is based on a true story. It shows clearly what life is like for the people and kids who have to live surrounded by drugs, guns and fear.
This film won several awards including a Bafta, a British Independent Film Award and nominations at both the 2004 Oscars and the 2003 Golden Globe Awards. It shows clearly what life is like in the shanty towns overshot with the music of samba, bossa nova and seventies funk.
The language is particularly difficult to understand even if you understand Portuguese as most of it is in ‘favela’ slang and Brazilian colloquialisms. It’s compelling stuff and definitely worth watching. In Brazilian Portuguese with English subtitles. Rated 18 in the UK.
To buy City of God and other Portuguese language films>>
Central do Brasil (1998)
Central Station
An independent language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
This is a very moving story by director Walter Salles. Fernanda Montenegro (1998 Academy Award nominated Best Actress) plays a lonely and troubled older woman who spends her days writing letters for illiterate customers at Rio de Janeiro’s Central Train Station. One of her customers is a mother with a young son, Josue. Both their lives change forever when one day Josue’s mother is killed and Dora (Montenegro) reluctantly befriends the boy.
She agrees to help Josue find the father he’s never known and on their journey across Brazil, they learn a lot more about each other. For Dora, the journey is also a personal one as she finds that she has compassion for the boy and through this finds self-esteem and courage, something that she never thought would happen to her.
This is one of those heart-rending but at the same time poignant films that reminds you of how strong the human spirit can be under adverse situations. The scenery is stunning and the stark difference between life in the city and life in the countryside is shown to great effect.
This Brazilian language film won several awards and nominations ranging from the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1999 Golden Globe to a nomination for the Best Actress in a Leading Role for Fernanda Montenegro at the 1999 Oscars.
Unless you learnt Brazilian Portuguese as opposed to Continental Portuguese, the language might be difficult to understand. In Brazilian Portuguese with English subtitles
To buy Central Station and other Portuguese language films>>
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Russian language film reviews
Solaris (1972)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, Solaris is a Russian film in which a psychologist, Donatis Banionis (Chris Kelvin) is sent to a Russian space station on a mysterious planet Solaris, to investigate trouble with the scientists who work there. This film is a favourite and it is easy to see why. All but three scientists on the planet have either gone insane and killed themselves or killed each other. As Donatis investigates what has happened to the scientists, his wife appears on the planet, which is impossible as she has committed suicide.
Donatis tries everything in his power to get rid of his dead wife but she always manages to come back unharmed. Consequently he discovers it is in fact the planet which is creating these images and manipulating people’s memories as a way of communicating with them.
This film is fantastic, I loved every bit of it and the representation of the different relationships is superb especially between Donatis and his wife. I have yet to see the remake but if it is anywhere near as good as the original then it is a definite hit.
In Russian language with English subtitles.
To buy Solaris and other Russian language films>>
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SPANISH LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 5, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
An independent language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
The Motorcycle Diaries is directed by Walter Salles and is based on the journals of Alberto Granado (played by Rodrigo De La Serna) and Ernesto Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal). It is a story of adventure, discovery and friendship. The two friends leave their home town of Buenos Aires and embark on an eight month journey on a motorbike (the mighty one), which breaks down and consequently the friends then have to hitch rides. Along the way they meet a huge variety of people and begin their own journey of self discovery. They end up working in a leper colony and form friendships with both the doctors and the patients who will have a bigger impact on their lives than they could ever have imagined. The Motorcycle Diaries is a true insight into the life of Ernesto (Che) Guevara and is absolutely amazing. Gael Garcia Bernal is one of Mexico’s most talented actors and his portrayal of Guevara is spine tingling, he never fails to amaze and certainly doesn’t fail this time.
The film is in Spanish and gives a good insight into both Latin American Spanish and the geography and culture of South America.
To buy The Motorcycle Diaries and other Spanish language films>>
Frida (2003)
An independent language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
This is a colourful and fragrant film depicting the life of the Mexican artist Frida Khalo. It tells the story of the young Frida (played by Salma Hayek), from growing up in early twentieth century Mexico right through to the end of her short life as an accomplished artist. Major events that took place in her life are depicted well: a horrific tram accident that caused her pain and suffering for the rest of her life, her marriage to the then highly acclaimed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera (played by Alfred Molina), a miscarriage and their subsequent tempestuous relationship. The passion, vibrant colours and stunning cinematography portray Frida Khalo’s personality very well using surreal imagery that adds spice!
Although this film is in English, some Mexican language is used throughout the film adding authenticity. It also gives us an insight into Mexican society and culture at that time. With an outstanding cast including Antonio Banderas, Geofrey Rush, Valeria Golino and Edward Norton this is a definite must-see!
To buy Frida and other Spanish language films>>
L’Auberge Espagnole (2002)
The Spanish Apartment
An independent language advantage film review by Sophie Patterson
This is a very student-y comedy drama about the life and loves and friendship of a group of young Europeans sharing a flat for a year in one of Europe’s trendiest cities – Barcelona. It mostly follows Xavier, a young Frenchman who moves in with six very different personalities and tries to get to grips with a new culture whilst dealing with an absent girlfriend, new friends, new experiences and a tempting new attraction all at the same time. It features Audrey Tatou as Xavier’s girlfriend.
Notable for its mix of languages; French, Spanish and English in particular, with even a brief comment on the importance of Catalan for the region, it takes a joyful and light-hearted look at cultural differences, living together and, of course, how to talk to your flat-mates’ parents in a language not your own. Anyone who’s done an Erasmus foreign exchange program will relate to the special bond forged between disparate nationalities over such a memorable year, but either way, you’ll find yourself wishing you could be one of them.
To buy The Spanish Apartment and other Spanish language films>>
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Amores Perros (2001)
Love’s a Bitch
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Winner of Best Film at Cannes International Film Festival and nominated for an Academy Award, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu really excels himself in this film of Mexican life and dog fighting.
The film begins with a harrowing car accident which brings together the story of three characters; Octavio (Gael Garcia Bernal), a young man caught up in the world of dog fighting and in love with his brother’s wife; Valeria (Goya Toledo), a model who moves in with her lover and discovers that looks are everything; and El Chivo (Emilio Echevarria) a former assassin whose family disowned him and who lives with his dogs as his only company. As the film develops so do the characters and we get a feeling of the desperation that they are feeling.
Amores Perros is a fantastic portrayal of Mexican life and the lengths that people are willing to go for love. It is a tale of Mexican life, loss and love. The Spanish is Mexican Spanish and therefore sometimes difficult to understand but with English subtitles you can even pick up a little Mexican slang, que chido! Definitely a must for all!
To buy Amores Perros and other Spanish language films>>
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)
And Your Mother Too
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Carroll
Y Tu Mama Tambien is one of the great movies to hit our cinema screens from the Spanish language cinema scene. A story of two bored teenagers who take to the road after a family gathering with a new acquaintance, inviting her to the beach. This award-winning film is funny, playful and, well, it deserves its 18 rating!
It has won a number of awards such as the Venice Film Festival in 2001.
To buy Y Tu Mama Tambien and other Spanish language films>>
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JAPANESE LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 5, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Spirited Away (2003)
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Carroll
Spirited Away has been heralded as one of the must-see children’s films of all time and is indeed captivating for adults and children alike. It is an animated film (that the Japanese seem to be so good at) with Chihiro, a 10-year old in the centre of the plot. She is moving with her family to a new house and on the way her father takes a detour and they end up going for a walk through a tunnel. What happens on the other side of the tunnel in this new world is the result of an amazing imagination. Chihiro has to give up a lot to survive, even her name. However, it can be a bit intense and edgy though – I watched it with my seven-year old and he covered his eyes at many points. To me, it is a cross between Monsters Inc and Harry Potter, without any comedy. If you look closely at the DVD cover you will get an idea of the types of characters you’ll come across in the film.
On the DVD that we watched, it was a double DVD with the film in the Japanese language but it also had an English language version. If you are watching it with younger kids who don’t speak Japanese, I would go for the English version first as I think the ‘scare’ factor is increased if they can’t understand the words and are instead picking up on every nuance of the music soundtrack as they can’t keep up with subtitles.
Winner of the 2003 Oscar for Best Animated Film and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. It has been the most successful film release ever in Japan.
The Director of the film is Hayao Miyazaki, who also directed Princess Mononoke. In Japanese with English subtitles. Some DVDs in English.
To buy Spirited Away and other Japanese language films>>
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Princess Mononoke (2001)
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
The film is set in ancient Japan; the story begins with a Curse God approaching a small village and destroying everything that gets in its way. Prince Ashitaka (Billy Crudup) rides out to stop the God and he succeeds in killing it. The God puts a curse on him, which will eventually kill him. The village wise woman tells Ashitaka that he must travel west and find the Forest Spirit who is his only hope for survival. The film portrays his trek to find the Forest Spirit and the encounters he finds along the way.
On his travels the Prince becomes friends with a monk (Billy Bob Thornton) and he comes to the edge of a forest where Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver) has built a village with a large ironworks. With the creation of her village she has caused a lot of animals to die, leading to near extinction. The animal gods of the forest begin attacking humans who come too near to them and who pose a threat. This is where we meet Princess Mononoke (Claire Danes) who is fighting alongside the animals and will stop at nothing to kill Eboshi.
Princess Mononoke is a Disney film, but when watching it you would not think so. Yes, there is a prince and a princess and of course the moral of man vesus nature but that is as far as the traditional story tale from Disney goes. The film has violent images and a lot of bloodshed, but this helps to tell the story. The visual images of the film are fantastic and Miyazaki really is a genius when it comes to directing. If you enjoyed Spirited Away you will definitely enjoy Princess Mononoke.
Language is Japanese with English subtitles.
To buy Princess Mononoke and other Japanese language films>>
Akira (1987)
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Akira is a Japanese animation. Directed and written by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira begins on July 16 1988. What seems to be an atomic bomb is dropped on Tokyo, completely destroying the city and WW3 begins. We are taken 31 years later to Neo-Tokyo (a city risen from the ruins of old Tokyo). The city is experiencing problems caused by biker gangs. Tetsuo, a member of a bike gang has a near accident with a young boy. The military capture both the young boy and Tetsuo. They discover that Tetsuo has a psychic ability.
Tetsuo is then used as a test subject to find Akira (the cause of the explosion that destroyed Tokyo in 1988). The military’s plan to find Akira using Tetsuo backfires and Tetsuo becomes a medium for Akira. Tetsuo has incredible powers and begins to go on a rampage that leads to violent and bloody death, nearly destroys Neo Tokyo, and reveals Akira’s secrets which have been buried for over 30 years.
Akira is a fantastic visual film. It verges on a little too much violence at times but this only adds to the impact of the film. Even though it is an animation Akira shows a scary future which is very real. The characters are so well thought out that you cannot help but feel for them even though they are animated. This film is a must although I would not recommend it for children as it is anything but a Disney film. It is very graphic and violent and there are brief scenes of nudity during the film.
A Japanese animation with English subtitles.
To buy Akira and other Japanese language films>>
ITALIAN LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 5, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Malena (2000)
A language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
From the writer and director of the award-winning film Cinema Paradiso, this film is the story of a boy’s journey to manhood amid the chaos and intolerance of World War II. Monica Bellucci plays the most beautiful woman in a small town in Sicily who becomes the subject of malicious gossip and jealousies from the men and women of the town. The young boy Renato is the only one who understands her and feels sympathetic towards this woman whom everyone else thinks is a whore and a disgrace.
Through the eyes of Renato we see his sexual awakening and watch him become a mature and independent young man. This is a compassionate yet disturbing film in places. There are some scenes that are distressing, but it is compelling viewing as it evokes the restrained and religious culture of the time and the old Italian way of thinking.
It was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Musical Score.
Some Sicilian is noted within the film but the bulk of it is in Italian that is easily understandable if you’ve been learning it. In Italian with English subtitles.
To buy Malena and other Italian language films>>
Life is Beautiful (1999)
La Vita è Bella
A language advantage film review by Tess Bentall
Set in 1939, Italy. The hero Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), who has a gift for making people laugh, and his friend Ferruccio come to a new town to stay with Guido’s uncle Eliseo. Guido meets the beautiful schoolteacher Dora (Nicoletta Braschi) by accident. He nicknames her princess. They encounter one another several times by surprise in amusing circumstances. Eventually he wins her heart and takes her away from her disagreeable fiance.
Years later Guido and Dora are happily married and have a young son Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Since they are Jews Guido and Giosue are taken to a concentration camp. Dora, a gentile, follows them there voluntartily. In order to protect Giosue’s innocence and to shield him from the dangers and brutality of life during the Holocaust, Guido tells Giosue that they are part of a role playing game where they have to obtain a thousand points by obeying camp orders and coping with camp life in order to win first prize. Will Guido succeed in protecting his son and will the family ever be reunited?
Life is Beautiful is an absolutely adorable film. It is moving, uplifting and extremely amusing. A deserved winner of three Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Actor and Best Original Score. The film gives the viewer a unique insight into Italian history, the Italian way of life and Italy’s family values. It is also a celebration of the power of the imagination and the beauty of the human spirit. The interaction between Guido and Giosue is delightful. The romance between Guido and Dora is entirely believable and all the more touching when the viewer knows that Benigni and Braschi are happily married to each other off-screen. The key triumph of this film is to make one truly believe that life is beautiful. A joy to watch. Five stars.
In Italian with English subtitles.
To buy Life is Beautiful and other Italian language films>>
The Postman (1994)
Il Postino
A language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
This is a wonderfully charming story of an almost illiterate man, Mario Ruoppolo, played by the late Massimo Troisi. He decides to leave his life as a fisherman and become a postman on his native island in the Mediterranean Sea. Pablo Neruda, the Chilean Poet (played by the French actor Phillipe Noiret also in Cinema Paradiso) has found a rustic home on the same island after he is exiled in 1952. Mario is in charge of bringing Pablo his packages and mail and their friendship develops over time. Like everyone else on the island, Mario is impressed by the foreigner. In trying to imitate his poet friend, Mario becomes aware of all the beauty around him and discovers love with a beautiful local girl, Beatrice Russo.
Poetry is the connection between the two men, as Pablo helps Mario to woo the lovely Beatrice using poetry. It’s a simple film but gloriously filled with poetry and tango music reminiscent of the Chilean culture at that time. Although the English Director Michael Radford directed this film, he shows well the stunning scenery of the Mediterranean island and the very slow, simple way of life of its people. The Italian language is generally easy, although – at times – it is difficult to understand the ramblings of Mario in his thick Italian!
This film won an Oscar and a BAFTA award in 1996 as well as many other nominations for Best Foreign Film and Best Leading Actor for Massimo Troisi. In Italian with English subtitles.
To buy The Postman and other Italian language films>>
Mediterraneo (1992)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
This film is directed by Gabriele Salvatores and set in Greece during World War II. Mediterranneo is a comedy about eight Italian soldiers who are sent to guard a small Greek island. The soldiers ship is sunk and their radio breaks down so as far as the army is concerned the soldiers no longer exist. They start to form a small Italian/Greek community with the locals and their past is soon forgotten. The soldiers’ characters start to change and they begin to adopt the island’s way of life with no desire to return to war.
This film is lovely; a real heart warmer full of passion and romance. A film about human nature, stereotypes and relationships during the war. It’s an Italian love story with a dash of comical genius. Definitely a must for any Mills & Boon fan and anyone who wants to experience an Italian romance with a ray of Greek sunshine.
In Italian with English subtitles.
To buy Mediterraneo and other Italian language films>>
Cinema Paradiso (1989)
A language advantage film review by Andrea Martins
This has to be my all time favourite foreign movie. It is the story of a young boy called Salvatore who grew up in a small Sicilian village in the forties and fifties. As an older man and successful film director, he returns home for the funeral of Alfredo, an old friend and his surrogate father, who was the projectionist at the local cinema in the town throughout his childhood. Salvatore remembers his childhood and his friendship with Alfredo. We are taken back in time and into his memories of love and understand why it took the death of his old friend Alfredo for him to return to his home after 30 years.
This film by director Giuseppe Tornatore, who also produced Malena in 2000. It is a film which is stunning, charming and utterly absorbing. It not only vividly shows life in a small village in Sicily during the 1940′s but also shows the passage of time and how progress, industrialisation and technology can change people’s lives and not always for the better.
It won an Academy Award at the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film, five Baftas, a Golden Globe and several other nominations and awards. It is also currently one of the most bestselling dvd’s on amazon.co.uk. This is a definite must-see movie that will have you watching it again and again.
Some Sicilian is noted within the film but the bulk of it is in Italian that is easily understandable if you’ve been learning it for a while. In Italian with English subtitles. Rated PG in the UK.
To buy Cinema Paradiso and other Italian language films>>
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HINDI LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 5, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Monsoon Wedding (2001)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Carroll
The wedding celebrations unfurl during the rainy season. This film mixes traditional with modern, through great music, dance, colour and a combination of English, Hindi and Punjabi conversations. It traces five stories of love and morality across the globe as everyone descends on New Delhi. You get pulled into the movie, and almost feel like you’re there – or at least wish you could be.
The director of this film is Mira Nair. The film has won a Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival in 2001. In English and Hindi with English subtitles.
To buy Monsoon Wedding and other Hindi language films>>
East is East (1999)
A language advantage film review by Tess Bentall
The film is set in Manchester in the 1970s. It tells the story of George Khan (Om Puri), a Pakistani chip shop owner, his British wife Ella (Linda Bassett) and their seven children whose lives are a constant struggle to reconcile Eastern heritage and the Western culture they live in. Meanwhile, their father is actively seeking arranged marriages for his sons. When Nazir (Ian Aspinall) bails out of his forthcoming marriage on the wedding day, he is considered dead by his father and moves away. This does nothing to diminish George’s enthusiasm to marry off his sons in the traditional Pakistani way and Abdul and Tariq (Jimi Mistry) are next on his list. As the future brides and their parents arrive for tea, an unwelcome sculpture by art student Saleem (Chris Bisson), another of the sons, ensures that chaos ensues.
This is a fun film about identity, family life and what happens when two cultures collide. It is an enjoyable comedy. All the characters are well portrayed and the unusual relationship between the parents is explored in an interesting manner.
It has won a BAFTA for best British film and has received many other nominations and awards around the world. The film is in English but with many conversations in Urdu.
To buy East is East and other Hindi language films>>
GERMAN LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 5, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Die Letzten Tage (2005)
Sophie Scholl
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Based on actual events, Sophie Scholl is about a tiny group of German students known as The White Rose, who joined together in their mutual hatred of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. They aired their views by printing leaflets and passing them to German citizens. The film focuses on Sophie (Julia Jentsch), a 21-year-old member of The White Rose.
Set in Munich in 1943, Sophie and her brother Hans (Fabian Hinrichs), co-founder of The White Rose, distribute leaflets on their campus. They have until the bell rings but Sophie decides to distribute a leftover stack of leaflets and consequently gets caught, arrested and accused of high treason. Sister and brother are separated and the film primarily concentrates on the interrogation of Sophie by Mohr (Gerald Alexander Held), a Gestapo interrogator who is convinced that Germany needs Nazi policies. Sophie denies everything and is offered a deal by the Gestapo, she must name the other members of the White Rose and incriminate them. She refuses which leads to an appointment with a Gestapo judge (André Hennicke) who sentences Sophie, Hans and another member of The White Rose, Christoph Probst (Florian Stetter) to death.
Sophie Scholl is tragic yet an insight into what was a tragic and almost unbelievable time for all those involved. Never has a film made me think more. With fantastic direction and superb actors, this film is a definite must for both history lovers and language film fans alike.
In German with English subtitles.
To buy Sophie Scholl and other German language films>>
Der Untergang (2005)
Downfall
An independent language advantage film review by Emmanuel Lainé
Berlin, April 1945. The Third Reich is holding its last breath. Berlin is under fire from the Russian Army and Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) is hiding in the depth of his bunker. Those left by his side are his wife to-be, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler), his secretary Traudl Junge, as well as the surviving part of the Third Reich Army. Together they will live the last few days with Hitler and the downfall of the Nazi regime.
Based on the true story novel by Joachim Fest ‘The last days of Hitler’, this representation of Hitler on the cinema screen has been described as the most unique and truthful experience of the real man. Bruno Ganz (as Hitler) worked for months on mimicking Hitler’s voice and is magnificent in his role, giving the character real substance and authenticity. The last days are a condensed and concentrated description of the falling apart of the Third Reich but where their atrocious beliefs still persist. Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (‘Das Experiment’ – 2002), ‘Downfall’ is the fruit of authentic German cinema making no judgement and without cynicism or arrogance. As Oliver Hirschbiegel said himself: ‘Nobody can forbid German people to talk about their own history, apart from ourselves’. This movie is a definite must-see.
BAFTA winner 2005 Best Foreign Movie. In German with English subtitles.
To buy Downfall and other German language films>>
Goodbye Lenin! (2002)
An independent language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Goodbye Lenin! is a film depicting the relationship between love and politics.
The film begins in 1989, a young man, Alex (Daniel Bruhl) protests against the capitalist regime and consequently gets arrested. His mother (Katrin SaÃ?) seeing this suffers from a heart attack and falls into a coma. Eight months later she wakes from the coma completely unaware of the changes that East Germany has experienced. As any form of shock is likely to make her relapse into her coma, Alex creates a false Germany where socialism has won and the Berlin wall is still standing. As the film develops so does the lie and consequently turns into a major scam to keep his mother from finding out the truth about the things she believes in so much.
Goodbye Lenin! is a fantastic portrayal of a political love story, showing the protective relationship between mother and son, and how far people are willing to go to protect the ones they love. Goodbye Lenin! was the winner of the Best European Film award at the 2003 Berlin Film Festival.
A must see for everyone, German-speaking or not! In German with subtitles.
To buy Goodbye Lenin! and other German language films>>
Lola Rennt (1998)
Run Lola Run
An independent language advantage film review by Sophie Paterson
The pounding techno soundtrack adds a good dose of hardly-needed adrenaline to this fast-paced and clever thriller about a girl who has 20 minutes to run – literally – against the clock to get her petty-criminal boyfriend out of some serious trouble. It’s punky, funky, shot like a music video for MTV, and edgy. It’s also told three times; each version hinging on something so very slightly different, thus igniting a new chain of events involving the same characters, incidents, objects and places – and a different set of outcomes. If any film demonstrates how our lives are all woven inextricably together or how our fates are governed by half chance and random moments, this is definitely it. The tagline for the film summarises this: ‘Every second of every day you’re faced with a decision that can change your life’.
The German is not too difficult, particularly as this is not a particularly talky film. Having said that, some viewers might have trouble with the rapid-fire German young people-speak at the beginning.
In German with English subtitles.
To buy Run Lola Run and other German language films>>
CHINESE LANGUAGE FILM REVIEWS
March 4, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Set in the 1940′s in a pre-revolutionary China, Kung Fu Hustle is a film about gangs. In particular the story of a small time thief called Sing (Stephen Chow) who wants to become a member of the ruthless Axe Gang, led by Brother Sum (Kwok-Kwan Chan). A slum called Pig Sty Alley is the only safe area from the gang as it is so poor there is nothing that the gang could take. Sing attempts to extort money from one of the locals but the slum holds a secret and the locals are not all that they appear to be.
Sing attracts the gang to Pig StyAlley which in turn leads to the inhabitants fighting for their lives. The fight between the gang and the neighbourhood unearths some legendary martial arts Masters. Sing must make the decision between becoming a killer and joining the Axes and helping the slum and saving the day.
This film is everything rolled into one: action, adventure, comedy, crime and fantasy.Stephen Chow is fantastic and the slapstick comedy is some of the funniest I have seen in a long time. Thoroughly enjoyable, and you can brush up on your Mandarin!
In Chinese Mandarin with English subtitles.
To buy Kung Fu Hustle and other Chinese language films>>
House of Flying Daggers (2004)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
Directed by Yimou Zhang, House of Flying Daggers is set during the reign of the Tang dynasty in China. A secret organisation,’The House of Flying Daggers’ opposes the government. Leo (Andy Lau), a police officer sends officer Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) to investigate Mei (Ziyi Zhang), a young dancer whom he believes is part of this secret organisation. Leo arrests Mei and Jin breaks her out in order to gain her trust and lead him and the government to the mysterious new leader of the secret organisation. What consequently happens is a tale of romance and intrigue, of action and adventure.
Before I sat down and watched this film I thought I would hate it. I am not one for martial arts movies but House of Flying Daggers is so much more and has managed to change my view on the martial arts genre. It combines action, adventure, fantasy and romance which in my opinion is a fantastic combination which produces a fantastic film.
Language is Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles.
To buy House of the Flying Daggers and other Chinese language films>>
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2002)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Carroll
A beautiful film from start to finish, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is really absorbing. It is a tribute to amazing martial arts displays as well as a beautifully shot film.
You can see why this film has won so many awards with its combination of language, love, action and adventure. It has won over 40 awards including the Best Foreign Language Film Music at the Oscars and four BAFTAs.
Wonderful as it is, it is best to see it in its original language version, you have to concentrate on the English subtitles unless your Mandarin is fluent, but it is well worth it!
The director of the film is Ang Lee. In Chinese with English subtitles. Rated 12 in the UK.
To buy Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and other Chinese language films>>
Hero (2002)
A language advantage film review by Sarah Maddocks
It is hard for anyone to say that this film is not fantastic. Directed by Zhang Yimou (who also directed House of Flying Daggers) and produced by Quentin Tarantino, it already has two of the biggest names involved from both the Chinese and American film industries. Jet Li stars in this movie.
Hero takes place in feudal China before the warring kingdoms were united into a single country. The Nameless warrior (Jet Li) has been brought before Qin (Chen Daoming) the King of the northern province to receive a reward for killing three assassins who threatened Qin’s life. The Nameless warrior tells the King how he killed Long Sky (Donnie Yen), Broken Sword (Tony Leung), and Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung). The King challenges his story and tells a completely different version full of conspiracy and mistrust.
The visuals of this film are stunning and contribute largely to what Yimou is trying to achieve through the characters and script. The fight scenes are amazing: the use of colour really adds to the film’s intensity. The only thing to remember when watching this film is to watch it in its original format with subtitles rather than the dubbed English version in order to add authenticity.
The film is in Chinese Mandarin with English subtitles.
To buy Hero and other Chinese language films>>
The Oscars 2009
March 4, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The 81st Annual Academy Awards ® were held on Sunday 22nd February 2009 in Hollywood. The Oscars ® reached film fans in over 100 countries. The lower-budget, but highly-acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle, won many Oscars ®, including for the Best Picture. It is in the English, Urdu and Hindi languages. Read more
The BAFTA Awards 2009
February 15, 2009 by la-andrea · Leave a Comment
The BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) are major awards in Great Britain given to those within the film and television industry. On a very cold London night on Sunday 8 February 2009, the highly-acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle won Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapated Screenplay, Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Sound. Read more
SPANISH LANGUAGE MOVIES
November 20, 2008 by la-hellie · Leave a Comment
Take a look at our selection of Spanish language films, read our film reviews and let the movies motivate you to get the Spanish language advantage.
We’ve picked out a selection of our top Spanish foreign language movies. It’ll help you to get more familiar with the Spanish language and is a great way to appreciate the culture from various Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish Language Films and Movies
++check format, age classification and language combination is appropriate before you buy!++
| film title | year | buy from amazon.com | buy from amazon.co.uk | |
| Vicky Cristina Barcelona (English/Spanish/Catalan) |
(2009) | DVD blu-ray | DVD blu-ray | |
| The Orphanage | (2007) | DVD blu-ray | DVD blu-ray | |
| La Antena | (2007) | not available | DVD | |
| Pan’s Labyrinth | (2006) | DVD blu-ray | DVD blu-ray | |
| Volver | (2006) | DVD blu-ray | DVD | |
| El Violin | (2005) | DVD | DVD | |
| The Motorcycle Diaries | (2004) | DVD blu-ray | DVD blu-ray | |
| Carmen | (2003) | DVD | DVD | |
| Talk to Her Hable con Ella |
(2003) | DVD | DVD | |
| Frida (English/Mexican Spanish) |
(2003) | DVD | DVD | |
| Spanish Apartment L’Auberge Espagnole (English/Spanish) |
(2002) | DVD | DVD | |
| Y Tu Mama Tambien | (2001) | DVD blu-ray | DVD blu-ray | |
| Love’s a Bitch Amores Perros |
(2001) | DVD | DVD blu-ray | |
| All About My Mother | (1999) | DVD | DVD | |
| Buena Vista Social Club | (1999) | DVD | DVD | |
| Solas | (1998) | DVD | DVD | |
| Like Water for Chocolate | (1992) | DVD | DVD | |
| Jamon, Jamon | (1992) | VHS only | DVD | |
| Matador | (1986) | DVD | DVD | |
| What Have I Done to Deserve This? | (1984) | DVD | DVD | |
| More Spanish language films on DVD from amazon.com |
More Spanish language films on DVD from amazon.co.uk |
