Three hidden treasures this week touching upon political themes in one form or another - specifically, communism. Their use and treatment of the theme varies between the three quite considerably, so I'd recommend that you check out each one of these excellent films, if you haven't already done so.
ROSA LUXEMBURG (1986) - MARGARETHE VON TROTTA
I'm normally not a fan of biopics, but there are surely few directors as good at making them as Margarethe von Trotta. The superb German director and her muse, the irreplaceable Barbara Sukowa, bring such vigour and dramatic depth to the story of one of socialism's most important figures. This is nuts-and-bolts filmmaking, for sure, with no pretensions nor affectations - just the way Rosa would have wanted it. An essential film for those with an interest in history or politics.
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES (2000) - AGNES HRANITZKY AND BELA TARR
You cannot quite understand what it's like to see a Bela Tarr film until you've seen one. Their content is easily described, but the experience of watching this content realised by one of the art form's supreme masters is indescribable. Tarr insists that Werckmeister Harmonies contains no political subtext - but art is not only what the artist makes of it, but what the consumer makes of it too. What I made of Werckmeister Harmonies is that it is one of the most striking films I've seen, and a landmark in the history of cinema.
THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY (1982) - PETER WEIR
There was nothing wrong with the Academy when they recognised the excellence of Linda Hunt's iconic performance in The Year of Living Dangerously. But there was plenty wrong with them when they failed to bestow upon it a single other nomination. This sensual, rich, beautiful film about journalists in Indonesia during the overthrow of socialist president Suharto, is one of film's all-time great romantic epics, a Casablanca for the '80s, and for today, of course. And with a soundtrack including Strauss' Four Last Songs? *hairs on back of neck*
Peter Weir. Still blows my mind that this great director hasn't won a single Oscar in 6 nominations.
ReplyDeleteI know! I haven't seen a single film he's made that I haven't liked. Although I haven't yet bothered to sit through Dead Poets Society. A part of me thinks he might get there some day, but then another part kinda expects that he'll die empty-handed, eventually. Or with an Honorary Oscar. Fucking Honorary Oscars.
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