Travellers and Magicians

Director: Khyentse Norbu
Starring: Tsewang Dandup, Sonam Lhamo, Sonam Kinga
Year: 2003

Dondup, a government officer sent to a small, remote village, yearns to go to America. Forced to hitchhike through the beautiful wild countryside of Bhutan to reach his goal, he shares the road with a monk, an apple seller, a papermaker and his beautiful young daughter, Sonam. Throughout the journey, the perceptive yet mischievous monk relates the story of Tashi -- a mystical fable of lust, jealousy and murder, that holds up a mirror to the restless Dondup, and his blossoming attraction to the innocent Sonam.

Comments: The movie is charming, funny, philosophical. Steve really liked it. In case your are interested, Bhutan is a tiny country nestled next to Nepal. This is the first feature film from Bhutan, and the second film by Norbu, who was born and raised in Bhutan. His first was The Cup, which was made in 1999.

Recommended.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Directors: Peter Yates
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Steven Keats, Alex Rocco
Year: 1973

Based on the novel by George V Higgins, revolves around the dilemma of Eddie 'Fingers' Coyle (Mitchum), a weary small-time mobster who faces pressure to become a police informant in the wake of a couple of murderous bank heists.

Comments: Set in Boston in the early 1970's, the film is a precursor to Scorsese' The Departed. Mitchum does a good job playing a character with obvious vulnerabilities, which is very different than the tough guy roles of many of his films.

Somewhat Recommended.

Ashes and Diamonds ("Popiól i diament")

Directors: Andrzej Wadja
Starring: Zbigniew Cybulski, Ewa Krzyzewska
Year: 1958

Maciek, a young Resistance fighter, is ordered to kill Szczuka, a Communist district leader, on the last day of World War II. Though killing has been easy for him in the past, Szczuka was a fellow soldier, and Maciek must decide whether to follow his orders. The film is the third in Wajda’s anti-war trilogy, preceded by A Generation (1955) and Kanal (1956), which also starred Cybulski

Comments: The film, which depicts the collapse of Poland’s resistance movement after WW2, is rich in symbolism and allusions to Polish history. Cybulski's performance is amazing as is his chemistry with Krzyzewska. The drama of the film is bit over the top at times, but this is more than compensated by the incredible visual imagery.

Highly Recommended.

Wonderful Town

Directors: Additya Assarat
Starring: Anchalee Saisoontom, Supphasit Kansen
Year: 2007

After the tsunami struck the coast town of Takua Pa in Thailand, young architect Ton (Kansen) moves in town to develop a construction project and settles in a small hotel run by Na (Saisoontom), a young sensitive local girl. They begin a secret love affair, but soon rumors spread and they meet with strong opposition from Na's brother and the town's residents.

Comments: Contemplative film that weaves the lush, overgrown, ruins of Southern Thailand with a Romeo and Juliet plot. Assarat's use of long takes recounts displays influences of director, Michaelangelo Antonin.

Recommended.

Woman on the Beach ("Haebyeonui yoin")

Directors: Sangsoo Hong
Starring: Seung-woo Kim, Hyun-Jung Go
Year: 2006

A film director with writer's block leaves the city of Seoul to finish his script at a Korean seaside resort. An entanglement with two women, however, reveals his inner confusion and forces him to confront his self-destructive behavior.

Comments: The film's tempo is plodding, but the acting of Kim and Go make this a captivating and revealing film.

Recommended.