Good Films
These are some films that I have watched are thought were very good.
The Song of Bernadette
Based on the story of Bernadette Soubirous who had a vision of the Virgin Mary near the French town of Lourdes.
"In 1858, a French peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous had an experience that forever changed her life and the town of Lourdes where she lived. While gathering firewood with her sister and a friend, she saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in a grotto. She claimed that the "beautiful lady" asked her to return to the grotto every day for fifteen days. Bernadette's story caused a sensation with the townspeople, who were divided in their opinions on whether or not Bernadette was telling the truth. She soon had a large number of people following her on her daily journey, some out of curiosity and others who firmly believed that they were witnessing a miracle. Bernadette's credibility was increased when her "lady" instructed her to dig in the ground with her hands which resulted in the discovery of an underground spring. The water was soon found to have healing powers and the grotto at Lourdes became a haven for the sick and afflicted from all over the world. Bernadette, who really wanted nothing more out of life than a husband and a family, eventually bows to the pressure of her priest and becomes a nun. Her last few remaining years are spent in a convent where she is comforted only by the memory of her beautiful lady. She was declared a Saint by the Catholic Church in 1933. " Review
The film is very well done. The acting of Jennifer Jones is remarkable, you feel like you are watching a saint, which must be one of the most difficult acting performances. The film won 4 Oscars in 1943
Three Seasons
Vietnamese. (1999) - subtitles
I really enjoyed this film. It was very well made with beautiful photography and superb acting. Very little actually happens in terms of action and dialogue but it offers much through merely capturing the emotians and expressions of the disparate collection of people in the story. There are 4 or 5 different threads which run throughout the film, seemingly unconnected but come together at the end. Definitely different to your average Hollywood drivel.
Three Seasons at BBC excellent review by Josh Hillman
Jean De Florette + Masons De Source
Powerful film exploring the meaner side of human existence. Particularly resonant set against the hopefully optimism of the newly arrived family. Jean De Florette. Don't expect a feel good movie though. After the first film I was left feeling wretched. The second film is even better. Its very clever and unassuming. Definitely recommended
The Sky is Falling
Based on the autobiographical novel by Lorena Mazzetti, this is the story of a girl called Penny set in Tuscany against the backdrop of the end of World War II in 1944. Italian dialogue with subtitles.
