Pete's Foreign Flick-Picks

Det Sjunde inseglet (The Seventh Seal) Sweden:1957

Ingmar Bergman's stunning allegory on man's struggle for truth, set in the middle ages. A knight (Max von Sydow) and his squire return from the Crusades through the plague-ridden countryside, and on the way the knight learns that he is to die. To forestall this from happening, giving him more time to learn the meaning of life, he challenges Death to a chess match. As their game draws out, the people struggle to deal in their own way with the turmoil and destruction of the plague. The symbolism, allusion, and visual style are what Bergman is known for, and this film does not disappoint.
Scene to watch for: the "dance of death" upon the hill

Otto e Mezzo (8 1/2) Italy:1963

Fellini's most famous film, and the one most associated with his style. Very autobiographical in nature, it tells the story of a film director named Guido (played by Marcello Mastroianni) who is struggling to make his next film. While recovering at a health spa, he is pestered by producers, agents, stars, and relatives, each putting pressure on him. It is through dreams and fantasy that Guido escapes from life's problems, and it is there that he discovers the meaning in life.
Scene to watch for: Guido in the house of the women in his life

Das Boot (The Boat) West Germany:1981

One of the most powerful and well crafted war movies that I have ever seen, this is Wolfgang Peterson ("In the Line of Fire", "Outbreak", "Air Force One") at his best. Originally filmed for German television, six hours of footage was shot, but only four hours made its way into international release, in the director's cut version. The story centers on the young men and experienced captain of a German U-Boat during the latter half of World War II. Pioneering use of the Steadicam, as it is hurled through the close confines of the boat, force the audience into the middle of the claustrophobic arena. The sharp contrast between how German propaganda portrays the war and the brutal reality of it all is dealt with very well, and the characters are shown doing both terrible and horrible deeds. This movie is realistic in that regard, I can't think of many war movies that include both sides of the story and are not nationalistic. It is a triumph that a movie about this war told from a German point of view can be so successful, winning the Oscar for best foreign film and routinely appearing on "top ten of all time" lists.
Scene to watch for: the unforgettable ending.

Cinema Paradiso Italy: 1988

Giuseppe Tornatore's homage to a time when movies were the most popular entertainment, and movie theaters were the only places to see them. The film follows Salvatore from a young child through his teenage years, and finally middle age. He grows up in a small Italian town, unremarkable in every way except for one thing: a movie theater. The theater, Cinema Paradiso, draws crowds of people from surrounding villages. It unites the rich and poor, young and old, foolish and wise. The aging projectionist, Alfredo (Philippe Noiret), shows Salvatore the tricks of the trade, and soon an inseparable bond forms between the two. It's difficult to use merely words to describe this film. The range of emotions it portrays, oftentimes humorous and oftentimes full of nostalgia, the characters, and the difficulties of life are all handled with remarkable skill. It's movies like this that remind you just what movies can be, if they try.
Scene to watch for: the public screening

Strictly Ballroom Australia:1992

An entertaining movie about the lives of ballroom dancers, which (strange as it might sound), reflect our own lives in many ways. Scott (Paul Mercurio) is a non-conformist, one who improvises freely and dances his own steps during the competitions. His overbearing mother cannot tolerate this, and tries to force him to dance "strictly ballroom". In addition, a love develops between Scott and an unlikely dance partner, people from two different walks of life. The strength of this movie is its characters, some of the most original, unusual, and entertaining that I have seen in a long time. This film is fun to watch, the cinematography and direction by Baz Luhrman are distinctive, and the statements that are raised are thoughtful.
Scene to watch for: the rooftop dance

Il Postino (The Postman) Italy: 1994

Set during the 1950's, Mario (played by Massimo Troisi) is a man looking for answers in his life. Living in a rural village on an island off the coast of mainland Italy, he yearns for something to enrich his life. Because he does not want to be a fisherman, he agrees to earn some money by delivering mail. His route is simple -- only one address, the home of Pablo Neruda (played by the versatile Philippe Noiret), a Chilean poet. Knowing nothing further, Mario begins to deliver the mail each day, and soon becomes friends with Neruda. When Mario falls in love, he seeks the help and advice of his friend. Neruda takes the young postman under his wing, encouraging him to find his own metaphors in life. This movie is filled with the beautiful scenery of Italy, features wonderful acting, and involves the timeless poetry of Pablo Neruda. Who could ask for anything more?
Scene to watch for: the foosball game
Note: Massimo Troisi suffered from a heart condition during the filming of Il Postino, and was encouraged by doctors to take time off and rest. He refused, wanting to finish the film which had been started, and continued working until the end. Two days after filming ended, he died.

Shine Australia: 1996

The true story of David Helfgott, the Australian pianist. The film follows his life, from young child to the present. At an early age, it is evident that he is a child prodigy, able to flawlessly perform complex pieces at the piano. Driven by his father, he wins competition after competition around the country. When he is offered a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in Europe, however, his father, Peter, refuses to let David leave. Armin Mueller-Stahl gives a tremendous performance as Peter Helfgott , portraying the many facets of this complex man. David ultimately suffers a mental breakdown after playing the Rachmaninoff 3rd piano concerto, and must recover in a world without music. With the help of his new wife (Venessa Redgrave), he slowly begins to recover, and find peace. The thunderous sounds of Rachmaninoff echo throughout the film, and lovers of classical music should be especially entertained. However, it is so well done that it should appeal to anybody interested in fine film.
Scene to watch for: the unlikely perfomance of "Flight of the Bumblebee"