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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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SHORT FILM: SCORPIO RISING
“Scorpio Rising” is a groundbreaking 1963 experimental short film directed by Kenneth Anger. The film explores themes of rebellion, sexuality, and the intersection of popular culture and subversive iconography. “Scorpio Rising” is a non-narrative film that conveys its themes through visual symbolism, pop music, and a provocative editing style. The film is divided into several…
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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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A HARD DAYS NIGHT
“A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) is a musical comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring the Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The film is a semi-fictionalized account of a day in the band’s life at the height of Beatlemania. It’s widely praised for its innovative style, sharp humor,…
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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…
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SUPER FLY (72)
Super Fly (1972) is a landmark Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. and starring Ron O’Neal as the iconic lead character, Youngblood Priest. The film is notable for its gritty depiction of the urban drug trade, its stylish direction, and its groundbreaking funk-soul soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield, which became a classic in its own…
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HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) is a Japanese animated fantasy film directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. Based on the 1986 novel by Diana Wynne Jones, the film is a visually stunning and emotionally rich story that explores themes of love, war, personal identity, and the power of compassion. The English-language…
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MANON DES SOURCES
Manon des Sources (1986), directed by Claude Berri, is the powerful sequel to Jean de Florette and continues the story of greed, betrayal, and redemption set in rural Provence. Based on Marcel Pagnol’s novel, the film delves into the consequences of the tragic events from the first installment, with themes of revenge, justice, and the…
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JEAN DE FLORETTE
“Jean de Florette,” a 1986 film directed by Claude Berri, is a profoundly emotional and tragic drama set in the picturesque countryside of Provence, France, during the 1920s. Based on Marcel Pagnol’s novel, the film explores themes of human greed, ambition, and the harsh realities of rural life. It stars Gérard Depardieu as the titular…
The Other Cinema 