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Director: Ursula Meier
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Olivier Gourmet, Adalaide Leroux
Year: 2008

Family who lives an isolated but happy existence beside an unfinished highway, falls apart when the road opens.

Comments: Somewhat stylized and surrealistic, but very riveting. Aptly described as a "road movie in reverse," reflects some existential questions about home and family. The highway which runs literally across the family's front door, serves as an effective metaphor.

Recommended.

Revanche

Director: Gotz Spielmann
Starring: Johannes Krisch, Irina Potopenko, Andreas Lust, Ursula Straus
Year: 2008

Ex-con Alex works as a odd-jobs guy at an Austrian brothel. He is compelled to put into action his dream of running away and liberating his prostitute girlfriend, only to find that his plan goes terribly awry. He is then obsessed with getting revenge.

Comments: Gritty and yet at times somewhat improbable, the film maintains a ominous and suspenseful pace. Excellent acting performances.

Recommended.