This is the course blog for Studies in National and Regional Cinema, an undergraduate seminar in USC's School of Cinematic Arts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Invitation
Please record any thought, memory or association that have anything to do with European media in this space. Let us know about Euro films you've seen, festivals you hear about, books you read and celebrity news that shock you.
Not sure how to make a new post, so I will just comment on this one.
A European film that really stuck to me was a film from Romania called "4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days". Plays instantly on Netflix, so feel free to watch whenever you have the chance. Very well put together film. I love realist style filmmaking, and this film does a phenomenal job with it.
I studied abroad in Prague last semester and studied Czech and Eastern European Cinema.
For right now I really want to recommend the Czech film Kolya directed by Jan Sverák. It follows the story of an older Czech man who has to become the guardian of a young Russian boy a few years prior to the fall of Communism. Basically the old man is a terminal bachelor and rather cold but the little boy brings out the best in him. It's a very sweet film and a very interesting insight on Czech and Soviet relations.
Also unsure as to how to make a new post, but here's a comment!
Hey class,
A European film that I have really enjoyed for awhile is a Hungarian film titled, "Kontroll" (not to be confused with "Control", which is about Joy Division - the band). Following the trend set by Armen, this film plays instantly on netflix as well, so I recommend it. It is a stunningly stylistic film, definitely deep in the realm of symbolism and metaphor and a far cry from realism, although there is some very truthful comedy thrown in here and there. But for the most part, the film is moody and dark, and simply looks incredible. It is set and filmed entirely in the Budapest subway system, which I believe is the 2nd oldest in the world. I think it's a truly enjoyable and memorable film, and it garnered some recognition at festivals (Un Certain Regard at Cannes). It is not necessarily the most socially conscious film, nor is it ripe with political commentary, but it is an excellent piece of visual filmmaking, has a very beautiful symbolic narrative, and actually has something subtle to say about people beneath it all.
Oh, and i forgot to add it was produced in 2003 and directed by Nimrod Antal, who was actually born in Los Angeles but went to film school and worked in Hungary - he is of Hungarian descent.
And most recently he directed Predators. Can you believe it? (I secretly enjoyed it, actually. For Adrien Brody -- also of Hungarian descent, by coincidence.)
Hey everyone,
ReplyDeleteNot sure how to make a new post, so I will just comment on this one.
A European film that really stuck to me was a film from Romania called "4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days". Plays instantly on Netflix, so feel free to watch whenever you have the chance. Very well put together film. I love realist style filmmaking, and this film does a phenomenal job with it.
Hope you guys enjoy it too!
Hi Everyone!
ReplyDeleteI studied abroad in Prague last semester and studied Czech and Eastern European Cinema.
For right now I really want to recommend the Czech film Kolya directed by Jan Sverák. It follows the story of an older Czech man who has to become the guardian of a young Russian boy a few years prior to the fall of Communism. Basically the old man is a terminal bachelor and rather cold but the little boy brings out the best in him. It's a very sweet film and a very interesting insight on Czech and Soviet relations.
Enjoy!
Also unsure as to how to make a new post, but here's a comment!
ReplyDeleteHey class,
A European film that I have really enjoyed for awhile is a Hungarian film titled, "Kontroll" (not to be confused with "Control", which is about Joy Division - the band). Following the trend set by Armen, this film plays instantly on netflix as well, so I recommend it. It is a stunningly stylistic film, definitely deep in the realm of symbolism and metaphor and a far cry from realism, although there is some very truthful comedy thrown in here and there. But for the most part, the film is moody and dark, and simply looks incredible. It is set and filmed entirely in the Budapest subway system, which I believe is the 2nd oldest in the world. I think it's a truly enjoyable and memorable film, and it garnered some recognition at festivals (Un Certain Regard at Cannes). It is not necessarily the most socially conscious film, nor is it ripe with political commentary, but it is an excellent piece of visual filmmaking, has a very beautiful symbolic narrative, and actually has something subtle to say about people beneath it all.
Hope you like it as much as I do!
Brian
Oh, and i forgot to add it was produced in 2003 and directed by Nimrod Antal, who was actually born in Los Angeles but went to film school and worked in Hungary - he is of Hungarian descent.
ReplyDeleteAnd most recently he directed Predators. Can you believe it? (I secretly enjoyed it, actually. For Adrien Brody -- also of Hungarian descent, by coincidence.)
ReplyDelete