Now the children are all back at school, The Rex cinema in Berkhamsted has given up on the summer blockbusters and we are being treated to some classic foreign movies. Starting with L'immensita. was only released in this country in May after launching at the film festivals last year. Although an Italian film, it stars my favourite Spanish actress Penelope Cruz. It is a family drama set in Rome in the 1970's, a time when the eldest child Adriana (played sensitively by Luana Guiliani) wants to be called Andrew. She has gender issues which do not sit well in Italian society of that time. But her mother Clara (Cruz) is sympathetic and their relationship is the main thread of the film. In fact Clara acts more like a child in many ways, possibly a reaction to her cold hearted and maybe abusive husband.
The film is superbly directed and beautifully filmed by Emanuele Crialese. The family gatherings could have come straight from The Godfather. When Adri meets Sara at a traveller's camp, the pictures there at dusk are a marvel. There are the odd black and white fantasy sequences, especially that last big production number of the song "L'immensita". Earlier there is another more familiar song, "Where do I begin (Love Story)" which sounds so similar, or is that just me?
But is Penelope Cruz who holds our attention. She has what one critic calls "a haunting beauty" and another "different, tender and unforgettable". I have probably seen her in as many films as most actresses. I have all those DVD's from Pedro Almodovar in which she appears in many. The film itself was nominated for many awards including best film at the Venice Film Festival. "Immensity" is not a literal translation of the title as it misses the point. But the film is immense.
I don't think I have ever seen a film like Wild Tales. (Why could they not keep the Spanish title as did L'immensita ?) This is an Argentine/Spanish production with six separate stories written and directed by Argentinian Damian Szifron. All the stories are set and filmed in his home country and it is the most successful movie ever from that country. Outstanding cinematography is by Javier Julia, bright and clever. I would guess they are what you would call black comedies, although in some there is nothing at all to laugh about. They could be called Dark Stories. The film was nominated for an Oscar and Palme d'Or, and won best film in a foreign language at the BAFTA's. Here they are:
Pasternak
This opening story has all the passengers on an aircraft finding out they have one thing in common. What is happening?
The Rats
A deserted diner at night. The waitress recognises a customer from her childhood. He is a gangster. Her female boss, the cook, has an idea. My second favourite piece.
The Strongest
A road rage story that does not end well. You will never insult another driver after seeing this piece.
Bombita
When a demolition expert leaves his last beautifully realised explosion, and runs into a series of setbacks, you can guess what happens at the end. Or not quite the end.
The Proposal
The aftermath of a hit and run ends up with a negotiation with the prosecutor. It was never going to end well.
Till Death Do Us Part
The best story is saved for last. A big wedding reception goes downhill after the bride (the brilliant Erica Rivas) becomes suspicious of her husband.
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