Indie Roundup #2
Back for another Indie Roundup! Again it's 4 indie films that I think you should watch, along with a small review of each and the trailers to save you switching between the blog and YouTube.
The Skin I Live In
I'm a massive fan of Pedro Almodovar, I think he's one of the great European Auteurs of the 20th and 21st centuries and this is one of his best. The Skin I Live In is a glossy European body horror/thriller film about a man who has an obsession for creating the perfect skin. I won't reveal any more than that, just know that there are film altering plot twists that you really won't see coming! The film is beautifully shot, and Almodovar's signature style shines through the cinematography, the use of colour and set has always been an integral part of Almodovar's work and this film is no exception, you can practically feel the love that has gone into this. The film itself is a tense and mysterious thrill ride from start to finish, and will definitely keep you on your toes, I'm gonna recommend this to anyone who's into European arthouse films, or anyone who is in the mood for a beautifully crafted thriller that will thrill, surprise and perhaps even move you.
Lost in Translation
Ahhh Lost in Translation, one of my favourite films of all time. I just love everything about this film, the direction, the performances, the plot, the score, the mood, everything. The film's plot revolves around two people who are stuck in Tokyo for different reasons, and who end up making friends and hanging out with each other, I won't spoil any of it but just know that it's a beautifully downplayed and tender story that WILL make you weepy by the end. The cinematography is absolutely mind blowing in this film, every shot gives me shivers and the Tokyo setting is incredible, the film is stunning, and every shot is laced with some of the best music I've heard in a film. Both of the lead performances, Murray and Johansson are career bests in my opinion, and they compliment each other perfectly, with the dry sarcasm of Murray and Scarlet's tender and vulnerable role in perfect harmony with each other. I cannot recommend this film enough, and for anyone who is put off by it's indie style please don't be, its very easy to watch. Here's the trailer along with one of my favourite scenes.
*Goosebumps*
Cafe De Flore
This is another great arthouse film, and while it may not be perfection like the previous two, its still a wonderful and emotionally charged film. Anyone who has been in love can relate to this film, and that's what the film's central theme is, the film delves deep into love as a concept, and manages to answer questions that a lot of us have wondered. The narrative is split between two different time periods, one in 1960's France and the other set in modern day Montreal, the two different stories are linked heavily, and the final act of the film brings the two together in a somewhat Lynchian manner, it can be confusing at times but by the end you'll understand whats going on. The film is shot beautifully, and the locations in the film are magnificent, particularly the Paris storyline which features some great locations. The film is designed to be extremely moving, and it managed to achieve its aim, for me anyway. The music in the film helps, with a mixture of beautiful tracks by bands like Sigur Ros and modern electro music to fully involve you in the film. If you're looking for an art house drama about love that you need to think about and engage with to appreciate, then look no further than Cafe De Flore.
Dancer in the Dark
Lars Von Trier films are always a controversial subject to talk about, purely based on the fact that he's either a love him or hate him director, his films are all very dark, and deal with intense themes and issues. His personal life has also been attacked, which came to a head with his outburst about Hitler at Cannes 2011. When you strip back all of this negativity and controversy, his films are actually rather good. This film is one of his best, and is a musical/antimusical about a woman who is slowly going blind. It's well known to be one of the most soul crushingly devastating films ever made, and by the end of it you'll be depressed for days, this shouldn't put you off though, the film is beautifully made using handy cams and taking influence from Trier's own Dogme movement, whereby the film is shot using natural light and following the rules of the manifesto set out by himself and Thomas Vinterberg, the film is not true Dogme 95, but it takes much influence from that movement. Bjork's performance astonished me, and it turns out that as well as being a brilliant musician, she can also act, the supporting performance from Catherine Denevue is also wonderful, and all of the characters ooze passion. The film is very hard to watch, due to both it's subject matter and the general tediousness of the musical numbers, which seem to take up half of the film, while I think its a refreshing change to the musical genre, I would have preferred it as a straight drama. In any case if you're looking for a very arty drama, one which is immensely disturbing and upsetting I would recommend this film, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't in the right frame of mind to watch it, as it can at times seem like a workout.
That's It for this weeks Indie roundup, I'll try and bring you a new one in a few weeks!
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