Pope Joan/ Die Papstin (2009)

Director : Sonke Wortmann

I'm always be a big fan of the historical movies. My favourites are The other boleynn girls, King Arthur and The Davince codes. When "Pope Joan" was in cinema, I was intend to watch it, but unfortunately i missed.

There wasn't many suggestions from other people about this movie, unlike other huge production movie (as i thought that this movie was very interesting and must have a very good production) , so my willing to see was slowly faded.

I've just watched the DVD a week ago. And I have to say that it's really worth it.

The story is about a little girl, Joanna, who was a daughter of a local priest. She was talented and truly had faith in the Catholicism. She at last ascended to the most powerful position in Vaticans, a pope. Among her tough life, there're many obstracts to get through, of course, to conceal the secret that she was a girl was one of it.

Joanna Wokalek as Pope Joan have done a really great acting, from a bright clever young Joan to the powerful caring pope to the beloved miserable pope at the end. Her character was really impressed and inspired me.

Another admiration is the costume design. They were nominated in many awards. The set is also incredibly outstanding. My favourite scene was the meeting hall in St.Peter which decorated by color marble coloumns bordering each niches. They greatly added the sense of Catholic power into the space.


Although, this movie didn't grow by word of mouth, but I found that the movie was touched. The great production could obviously raise the goodness of the movie.

You may find a joy of watching this movie is just like you are walking in the chic Hitorical art gallery!!!

f a h 20.10.10

Seven Years In Tibet (1997)

Seven years in Tibet based on the true story of an Austrian mountaineer, Harrer, who went to climb the Himalayas but failed and been caught by the English military. He at last could escaped and ran away across the mountain to Tibet territory where he met and began intimately close to Dalai-Lama.

This movie obviously makes me get to know Tibet and Dalai-Lama better. The very beautiful mountainscape, the spiritual buddhism believe of tibetans and the simple living made me fall in love with this country. Moreover, the movie shows the honorableness and cleverness of Dalai-Lama, which in the movie only about 12 years old.In the movie, the moments when Harrer and Dalai-Lama are together and having a conversation about the question of everything outside Tibet is the most memorable scene of the movie. It's a friendly informal conversation between two diferrent traditional structure people.

Anyway, in my opinion, Seven years in Tibet is not one of the perfect real-life movie, but the deep value of the understanding Buddhism in Tibet is worth to see, in addition, of course, the faithful Dalai-Lama.


f a h .
11.10.10

DOGVILLE (2003)

Written & Directed by Lars von Trier

The movie starts with the plan of the very small Colorado town the called "Dogville" which is divided by the lines on the stage floor emerging each house territory. That's what movie surprised me at the beginning of it. The absence of walls make everyone see everyone's business in the house or on the street.


The movie divided into 9 chapters which the name of each chapters, appearing through the movie, help audiences easily catch up with the story.The story quite hard to watch (like some other indie movies) and need a sharp focus to understand the screenplay. That's the reason why the director decide to make this to be a minimalist movie with only necessary props. on the set.

Anyway, "DOGVILLE" had succeeded the idea of the experimental movie. For me, it's very interesting and creative movie making. "Do less, cost less ,think much and effect much" is not often to be a good point of other movies i've recently watched.

So, this's one of my recommended "less is more" movie!!!

fah.
10.10.2010