maciejczubak Reviews

Land of Plenty (2004)

Beautiful sadness

[21 September 2004]

This film brings me to mind the music of Sade. Sad-sounding songs telling about beautiful films. This film is the opposite. Extremely beautiful film about sad things. A film about how America changed, not only after the 9/11 but more on how America changed since Wim Wenders first went to US. It seems as if Wim was trying to recall himself why he went to America and, more important, why he left there, in the country we people in Europe probably do not understand. I think Lana (Michelle Williams, who whose role automatically brings to my mind Amelie Poulain) is, in my opinion, actually Wim Wenders and Paul (Lana's uncle) is a metaphor of today's America. A country that Wim loves (and this love is based on historical picture) but that he can neither understand nor agree with. And when Lana says to Paul: '...but I still love you as you are', I know this is probably the most important, most touching and most true film related to sept 9/11.

That is why I give it a 10/10.

see you around <maciej>

Painted Fire (2002)

Very beautiful film about an even more 'beautiful' person

[8/10 · 29 November 2002]

That's right. Ohwon (the painter and the main character) is an exceptional person. What strikes me most is the message this film might address to all of you people there. And the message is sad. It says that, it's very difficult to do anything that's amazing or maybe even genius without having to obey the governments, establishment and other VIPs of this world. And even if you try, you might not be able to bear it. It is about the battle of a single person with a system. With many systems.

A great film of this wonderful Korean director. Please see it if you do have an opportunity.

The Man Without a Past (2002)

A simple, minimalistic, sad and somehow very positive film.

[7/10 · 13 November 2002]

As the film developes most might feel a bit sad or depressed. I mean not only because of the action (a man who starts his life from a scratch after being beaten by some hooligans), but because of the way the film is done as well. The film is so simple in its form. Short and straight dialogs, some natural views of the city's suburbs, people who live a simple life in the lowest parts of the society and simple human relations. The need of someone, the escape from lonliness. And what strucked me the most: a human's struggle to get back to society, to start things from zero and to succeed.

A quite touching and motivating film. A film that won't let you give up even if you lose everything you had in your life.

Try to see it.