Category: Drama
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CET OBSCUR OBJET DU DESIR aka THAT OBSCURE OBJECT OF DESIRE
That Obscure Object of Desire (Cet obscur objet du désir) is a 1977 surreal, darkly comedic drama directed by the legendary Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel in his final film. The movie is an adaptation of Pierre Louÿs’ 1898 novel La Femme et le Pantin (The Woman and the Puppet), delving into themes of obsession, desire,…
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DO THE RIGHT THING
“Do the Right Thing” (1989), directed by Spike Lee, is a powerful exploration of race relations and urban tension set on a hot summer day in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The film examines the buildup of racial tensions over a single day, ultimately erupting into violence. As a side note, I was…
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LA DOLCE VITA aka THE SWEET LIFE
“La Dolce Vita” (1960) is an iconic Italian film directed by Federico Fellini. It is considered one of Fellini’s masterpieces and one of the greatest films in world cinema. The film is a sprawling, episodic exploration of the decadence and disillusionment of post-war Rome, capturing a society in moral decay. Blending drama, satire, and surrealism,…
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BADLANDS
“Badlands” is a 1973 crime drama directed by Terrence Malick in his feature film debut, and it stars Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek in leading roles. Loosely inspired by the real-life 1958 killing spree of Charles Starkweather and his teenage girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, the film is a haunting meditation on alienation, love, violence, and…
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GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE
“Girl on a Motorcycle” (1968) is a psychedelic romantic drama directed by Jack Cardiff and starring Marianne Faithfull as Rebecca and Alain Delon as Daniel. The film is based on André Pieyre de Mandiargues’s novel La Motocyclette and explores themes of sexual liberation, existential longing, and rebellion, all set against the backdrop of the late…
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NATURAL BORN KILLERS
“Natural Born Killers” (1994) is a controversial crime thriller directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson as Mickey Knox and Juliette Lewis as Mallory Knox, a young, violent couple who embark on a killing spree across America. The film is based on a story by Quentin Tarantino and explores themes of media sensationalism, violence,…
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LENNY
“Lenny” (1974) is a biographical drama directed by Bob Fosse. It chronicles the rise and fall of controversial stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce, known for his boundary-pushing humor and battles with the legal system over obscenity charges. The film is a poignant, gritty exploration of Bruce’s tumultuous life, his influence on comedy, and his tragic demise.…
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MADE IN U.S.A.
“Made in U.S.A.” is a 1966 French crime-political film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The film is a loose adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s novel The Jugger and combines elements of film noir, political intrigue, and Godard’s signature experimental style. It stars Anna Karina as a woman investigating the death of her lover in a labyrinthine…
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1900 (NOVECENTO)
“1900” (original title: Novecento, 1976) is an epic historical drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. The film spans several decades in 20th-century Italy, from the early 1900s to the rise of fascism (an occurring theme in Bertolucci’s earlier films), and it explores the lives of two men from different social classes whose fates are intertwined with…
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WANDA
“Wanda” (1970) is an independent film directed, written by, and starring Barbara Loden. The film, which has a stark, minimalist style, tells the story of a drifting, disaffected woman trying to navigate her bleak existence in working-class America. Loden’s film stands as a landmark of feminist cinema, capturing the aimless life of its central character…
The Other Cinema 