Sorry it's been a while since my last post... it's been crazy busy. I will try to get back to my posting at least once a week.
I have SO much to comment on... Wall-E... Wanted... some AMAZING music I've discovered... today's release of the film soundtrack to "Mamma Mia"...
However, this post I'm sticking to sharing my obsession with FOREIGN movies.... in particular 2 recent DVD releases.
Both of these movies were Oscar nominees, and both are adaptations of autobiographical books.
The first is the very inspiring "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly."
In 1995 Jean-Dominique Bauby (editor for French Elle magazine) suffered a stroke and awoke from a coma completely paralyzed except for some movement in his head and left eye. Not able to speak, he and his therapist eventually come up with a way for him to communicate... for him to blink his left eye. He eventually decides to write his memoir with the help of a transcriber. She will read the letters of the alphabet and he blinks when she says the correct one.
In 1995 Jean-Dominique Bauby (editor for French Elle magazine) suffered a stroke and awoke from a coma completely paralyzed except for some movement in his head and left eye. Not able to speak, he and his therapist eventually come up with a way for him to communicate... for him to blink his left eye. He eventually decides to write his memoir with the help of a transcriber. She will read the letters of the alphabet and he blinks when she says the correct one.
The film is truly a piece of art. It starts out showing life from his perspective from the moment he opens his eye from a coma. The cinematography eventually opens up as he allows his mind to be free and find a passion for life. This is a beautiful film and is based on his very moving memoir.
Here's the trailer...
The other film is also autobiographical but is based on a graphic novel. It is the stunning PERSEPOLIS.
This movie is the coming of age story of Marjane Satrapi a very outspoken girl in Iran during the Islamic revolution. I LOVED this movie!! This is true art animation. Not some cheap comedy relying on celebrity voices.
This movie is the coming of age story of Marjane Satrapi a very outspoken girl in Iran during the Islamic revolution. I LOVED this movie!! This is true art animation. Not some cheap comedy relying on celebrity voices.
Check out both of these wonderful films... and while I'm on the subject...
Here is my list of favorite FOREIGN FILMS
Amelie
Triplets of Bellville
Y Tu Mama Tambien
A Very Long Engagement
The Motorcycle Diaries
Pan's Labyrinth
All About My Mother
Bad Education
City Of God
La Vie En Rose
Ma Vie En Rose (very different from La Vie!)
8 Women
The Science of Sleep (part French, part Spanish, part English)
What are yours?
