I tend to get behind in my film reporting. These are not designed to be reviews, but rather reminders to myself of what we have watched in the past. They can also serve as recommendations (or not) to casual readers, who might have access to a weird film collection and availability. Our usual source for films is Criterion channel, but we also watch a few on Roku and Prime. It's hard to describe the pleasure we get from having access to Criterion movies. It's like a dream come true. We can interrupt the stream at any time, and continue watching at any time. There are no commercials.
I have five films to report on this time, the first one being Deb's film festival choice, the next two being my regular weekly choices, and the last two being Deb's regular selections. Usually during the monthly film festival weekend, whoever gets their turn can choose up to three films, with extras if available. Or one very long film. Deb choice a Japanese film from 2015 called Happy Hour, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Its running time is five hours and 17 minutes, and is a rather slowly paced film that centers itself around four women in their thirties who are friends and like to hang out together. Two of them have friends since junior high school. We gradually get to know each of the women quite well, as well as becoming involved in their family and love lives. It's difficult to describe what the film is about, though lack of communication is a big part of it, especially between men and women. It is a truly wonderful film, and well worth watching. Be warned, however, that there are some very slow parts, such as the strange workshop the women attend, and the book reading. But both of these parts have major roles in how the women are affected by these inclusions. Sit back with a pot of green tea and get comfortable. Most enjoyable.
I continued with a woman's theme (Viridiana, Veronika Voss, Danzon, The Wonders, and The Second Mother) that seems so popular at the Homestead lately. My main choice was The Perfect Candidate, a Saudi film from 2019 directed by Haifaa al-Mansour (WADJDA). This is a fascinating film about a female doctor working in a small ER clinic, having to deal with poor road conditions leading to the hospital. She wants to get the road paved, but to no avail. She ends up running for city council in order to get the job done, which leads to all kinds of conflicts, especially with men. There is a sub story that is nearly as interesting, about her late mother who was a singer at weddings, and her father, who still sings and performs traditional music. The film reminds western viewers how much they have to learn about other cultures and places before any kind of understanding can take place. Another highly watchable film, and recommended.
My going away choice this week was an odd little film from India, in 1973. Called Duvidha, it is a simple film telling a story or legend from Rajasthan. A ghost comes down from a tree, after falling in love with a passing bride. When her husband leaves her at home alone while he goes off to trade for 5 years, the ghost takes his form and moves in with her. They fall in love, but when the husband returns, all does not go well for them. There is some lovely photography, and freeze frame is used quite a bit. The story is very much like something one would read from The Arabian Nights tales. I don't know where else a viewer might find this film, which leaves Criterion at the end of the month. Perhaps on line, in a grainy version.
Back to Deb's choices, and finally leaving women out of it, came Forbidden Dream, a Korean film from 2019. It takes place in the 15th C, and loosely based on actual characters and what befell them. One of the two main characters is a slave, an older man who has a genius for inventing. the other character is the Emperor of the province in Korea, which is subject to Ming, China. Through their shared love of astronomy, they become fast friends, and the inventions come non stop from the slave, now elevated to scientist 5th class. Though the movie is filled with intrigue, it is slowly paced and a wonderful achievement in film making in this day. Costumes, interiors, and the scientific instruments themselves are rendered to perfection, and the two lead actors easily carry the film despite not much happening. These slowly paced films are such gems to find. This is a great one, and well worth seeking. (*Footnote: Polaris (the North Star), is not the brightest star in the sky. Not even close).
Lastly comes Margin, a short film from 2007 about taking a passenger boat (2 days, 3 nights) up the Amazon, from the border with Brazil and Columbia as far as Iquitos, Peru. We stay on board the boat all times, and meet some of the travelers, including two Japanese men who seem to be in love with Columbia and the river. Directed by Maya Da-rin, it runs just 55'. Along the way, very old historical b & w footage is used, from earlier voyages along the same path. Easy to watch, and quite fascinating. The title refers to the land area closest to the river, where most of the people dwell. It could also refer to the fact that this is not a deep film, but a simple journey undertaken and filmed.
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