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Reviews
Xia nü (1971)
Not just action
"A touch of Zen", the English title is perhaps the only thing about this film that isn't beautifully and subtly conceived... This is a film about about ambition, perception, personality and what evil might be... it isn't really a standard action movie.
The storyline is highly compelling, but not rushed; the pacing is wonderfully handled, moving from the slow, almost lazy quotidian existence of the unambitious, scholarly protagonist to the fast paced, highly dynamic camera work of the action scenes. The shape of the film, perhaps the most amazing aspect of this 'masterpiece', starts with the small (even petty) and slowly ramps through the heroic to the iconic and finally to the divine. Each stage is a brief, often profound meditation on the nature of life and humanity of that state.
The cinematography is always lavish and startling, and, as with many of the Japanese films of the time, not afraid of a screen beautifully composed mostly of shades of darkness.
The martial arts displayed are never exhibitionary nor obviously proficient. This understated quality to the skills is sometimes disappointing (if that is why you are watching the film), but ends up being the best way to capture the the unknowable skills of some of the characters. As a matter of interest, a young Sammo Hung makes an appearance as a bodyguard and there are some other kung fu faces amongst the stunt men.
All in all, this film is profound and compelling. Well worth a watch
Dom za vesanje (1988)
A top ten film...
This film is truly excellent; not only does it provide a poetic, intense and personal journey of a story, but it is also amazing film making. The long shots with perfectly timed focus pulls constantly pull off some visual and filmic magical spells so effortlessly that you can miss them the first and second time through
in fact the film just keeps on revealing new details and subtlety on every level.
Time of Gypsies sets up and develops many of Kusturica's visual symbols like the bride, wedding and bridal veil floating or flying while remaining completely unpretentious and gritty, like it's characters.
I couldn't recommend this film more, and I place it alongside Tarkovsky's Stalker and Solaris in terms of beauty and esteem.