With great anticipation & excitement, I spent the previous 8 days of my not-so-exciting life watching some of the best films from around the world at the 10th Pune International Film Festival. I watched films that touched various genres, representing various cultures & various periods of time. It was a splendid experience, an experience that not only enthralled me for the best part of it, but also kept me wanting for more. So here's an attempt to bring to you the best 8 movies that I thought were the one's that really stood out from the rest.
8. Shala (India, Marathi)
Fans of the book on which is based on, flocked the screening hall for this one
in the hundreds. And not one soul getting out would have been disheartened
after what was on offer. A movie that brings back those bittersweet memories of
your school days, keeping the tenderness of the age (& also the book)
intact. Refreshing watch. Also, some of the best opening credits ever seen.
7. Sparrow (Russia)
A movie that starts off so slowly that it borders on being a sort of sleep-inducing drug, it then becomes increasingly engrossing & partly enthralling mainly because of the brilliant performance from its protagonist, a ten year old boy who stands up against what is bad & unacceptable to the innocent & partly-naive mind. Also, some of the best cinematic visuals, capturing the Russian countryside that pleases the eyes.
A movie that starts off so slowly that it borders on being a sort of sleep-inducing drug, it then becomes increasingly engrossing & partly enthralling mainly because of the brilliant performance from its protagonist, a ten year old boy who stands up against what is bad & unacceptable to the innocent & partly-naive mind. Also, some of the best cinematic visuals, capturing the Russian countryside that pleases the eyes.
6. Moneyball (USA)
Well, what does one say when its a Brad Pitt film with a screenplay that's as good as any? Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin churn out one of the best written scripts in the Sports-Drama genre & the performances from Pitt & Jonah Hill raise the bar to a new level. An amazing movie experience for sports fanatics, definitely worth a watch. You might want to get your Baseball rules correct before watching, though!
Well, what does one say when its a Brad Pitt film with a screenplay that's as good as any? Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin churn out one of the best written scripts in the Sports-Drama genre & the performances from Pitt & Jonah Hill raise the bar to a new level. An amazing movie experience for sports fanatics, definitely worth a watch. You might want to get your Baseball rules correct before watching, though!
5. If not us, who? (Germany)
Having surprised a lot of people by winning the Best Film award at the festival, I must say this was a real treat of a film for folks who love Modern World History & its reflections on Europe, specifically Germany. The screenplay, which intertwines the historical events through the late 60's & 70's with the relative stories of the main characters, is quite taut & gripping. The lead actors give a performance of a lifetime, August Diehl in particular, being outstanding.
Having surprised a lot of people by winning the Best Film award at the festival, I must say this was a real treat of a film for folks who love Modern World History & its reflections on Europe, specifically Germany. The screenplay, which intertwines the historical events through the late 60's & 70's with the relative stories of the main characters, is quite taut & gripping. The lead actors give a performance of a lifetime, August Diehl in particular, being outstanding.
4. Voice Over (Bulgaria)
Technically the most sound & astounding film, in my opinion. The cinematography, editing & the overall efforts by the technical crew on its post production is visible in every scene. The plot of the film is quite extraordinary, a rare blend of arts, politics & relationships. A treat of a film for lovers of Cinema in the technical as well as the artsy sense of the word.
Technically the most sound & astounding film, in my opinion. The cinematography, editing & the overall efforts by the technical crew on its post production is visible in every scene. The plot of the film is quite extraordinary, a rare blend of arts, politics & relationships. A treat of a film for lovers of Cinema in the technical as well as the artsy sense of the word.
3. Joanna (Poland)
A film about a woman struggling in Nazi infiltrated Poland who tries to save a Jewish 7 year old girl in her house where she lives alone, waiting for her husband who went missing in the war. Stunning cinematography, amazing direction & a performance that stays in your heart from the lead actress.
A film about a woman struggling in Nazi infiltrated Poland who tries to save a Jewish 7 year old girl in her house where she lives alone, waiting for her husband who went missing in the war. Stunning cinematography, amazing direction & a performance that stays in your heart from the lead actress.
2. Nuit # 1 (Canada, French)
A film that remained underrated at the festival, probably due to its highly bold concept & unconventional setup. A brilliant film nonetheless, highlighted by two out-of-the-world performances by the two lead actors & a fantastically written script. If hard-hitting, open ended & bold Cinema is your thing, you will definitely fall in love with this film.
A film that remained underrated at the festival, probably due to its highly bold concept & unconventional setup. A brilliant film nonetheless, highlighted by two out-of-the-world performances by the two lead actors & a fantastically written script. If hard-hitting, open ended & bold Cinema is your thing, you will definitely fall in love with this film.
1. Nader & Simin : A Separation (Iran)
This film created so much hype all around the world that I had marked its screening as soon as I got the PIFF Schedule in my hands. And I wasn't disappointed for a tiny single bit of it. Brilliant direction, outstanding performances and a story that anyone around the globe would connect to. High on emotions & yet very gripping, not a single dull moment in the entire run time. The way the film has been written & directed by Asghar Farhadi (he did win the Best Director award), you just have to stand up & applaud. A winner throughout.
This film created so much hype all around the world that I had marked its screening as soon as I got the PIFF Schedule in my hands. And I wasn't disappointed for a tiny single bit of it. Brilliant direction, outstanding performances and a story that anyone around the globe would connect to. High on emotions & yet very gripping, not a single dull moment in the entire run time. The way the film has been written & directed by Asghar Farhadi (he did win the Best Director award), you just have to stand up & applaud. A winner throughout.
Some other films that made a mark too, were Top Floor, Left Wing (French, Arabic), My Little Princess (French, English), Alzheimer (Persian, Iran), The Magic of Hope (Spanish), Flying Pigs (Poland) & A Summer at Grandpa's (Mandarin, Chinese, Taiwan).
Omkar Divekar.
Omkar Divekar.
