Films We Talked About
by the KinoCritics

Departures
An emotionally moving story about a young couple, well acted with good character studies. The unusual and interesting subject of the burial ceremony deals realistically with an old Japanese tradition, often humorously, but with distant respect. The choice of cello music is beautifully enhancing the mood swings. (BS)  (See article Metaphors and Clichés aside, Death is Evolving))

Baghead
Young actors with an innovative idea get carried away. It is fun to watch - with some romance and thriller effect. (BS)  (See detailed review)

Cold Souls
This is a tragic-comic, absurd story - and well acted entertainment. (BS) (see also detailed review in section Prize Winning Films)

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
Mads Mikkelsen and Anna Mouglalis are perfect as “Coco and Igor,” two ambitious celebrities living in France’s bourgeois society of the 1920s. The décor of Coco’s sterile black and white Art Deco villa gives a fine backdrop to the steamy but brief love affair. It’s a film for sitting back and enjoying the visual and musical performance. I loved the ballet scenes (the original performance of the primitive “Rites”) and Stravinsky’s music played by the Berliner Philharmoniker. (BS) (See detailed review by JM)

Eyes Wide Open
The subject of homosexuality in an orthodox Jewish society is treated with feeling, filmed in warm sepia colours. This controversial issue is well acted by the entire cast and deserves to be highly praised. (BS) (See also article The Jewish Influence)

Nora’s Will
Nora is dead; the mourning and burial arrangements are taken seriously but manage to be funny at the same time. Amongst all turmoil not only the family secret is discovered but also the tender feeling and responsibility of never forgotten love. (BS) (See also article Metaphors and Clichés aside, Death is Evolving)

The Paranoids (Los Paranoicos)
Once an inseparable trio, when they meet again in Buenos Aries Luciano and Sherman entertain at children’s parties whereas Manuel, with girlfriend Sofia in tow, is back to produce his successful Spanish TV show “The Paranoids” locally. Luciano, a quirky loner toiling over his first screenplay, is saddled with Sofia staying at his place when Manuel takes a short business trip; her gustiness kindles a bond that tests the group. The story is good, the characters well defined, the film is technically sound and director Gabriel Medina uses animation brilliantly to take us inside a video game. (MH)

The Dark Harbor (Futoko)
Japanese writer/director Naito Takatsugu tells this story slowly, using strong images and minimal dialogue, yet it is formidable enough to elicit humor, empathy, and thought, especially at the ending. Approaching forty, fisherman Manzo is a lonely bachelor who, while presenting a self-made video at a party to meet a prospective wife, is stunned to see two faces inexplicably behind his image on the screen. He catches the intruders, a mysterious mother and son, drives them away, brings them back and, after a fashion this transitory arrangement brings them all timid harmony. Until the fish stop biting… (MH)

I Killed My Mother
French Canadian teenager Hubert lives with his divorced mother. She has her hands full with his swings from exuberance to petulance to childishness to vituperation. The film could very well derive from personal experiences of Xavier Dolan, the director, writer, and lead actor. Just 19 years old and already so much talent, besides being very good looking! For once the judges in 2009 Cannes film festival made a wise decision and gave him three prizes. (BT)