Tag: Personal Identity
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SALO, OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM (NSFW)
‘Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom,’ is a 1975 controversial and highly provocative film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Based loosely on the infamous novel “The 120 Days of Sodom” by the Marquis de Sade, the film is a brutal allegory about power, sadism, and the dehumanizing effects of totalitarianism. Set in Fascist Italy…
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SHADOWS
“Shadows” (1959) is an independent drama film directed by John Cassavetes. The film is celebrated for its improvisational style and unflinching exploration of race relations, identity, and personal relationships in late 1950s New York City. Set against the Beat Generation’s vibrant Manhattan scene backdrop, “Shadows” follows the lives of three African-American siblings: Ben, Hugh, and…
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UNCLE BUCK
“Uncle Buck” is a 1989 comedy directed by John Hughes. The film is a heartwarming and humorous look at family dynamics, centering around the unexpected role of a bumbling, fun-loving uncle who has to care for his brother’s children during a family emergency. The movie stars John Candy in one of his most beloved roles…
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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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AN UNMARRIED WOMAN
“An Unmarried Woman” is a 1978 American drama film directed by Paul Mazursky. It is an emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and personal growth centered around a woman’s journey of self-discovery after her marriage unexpectedly falls apart. The film stars Jill Clayburgh in a career-defining role and is supported by Alan Bates and Michael…
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LE MEPRIS aka CONTEMPT
“Contempt” (Le Mépris) is a complex and visually stunning film directed by Jean-Luc Godard in 1963. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and the nature of filmmaking. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Italy, the film delves into the disintegration of a marriage amid the pressures of the film industry. The story begins with Paul…
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SHORT FILM: THE ARGUMENT
“The Argument,” a short film directed by Donald Cammell and edited by Frank Mazzola, is an experimental piece that was filmed in 1971 but remained unfinished until 1999. The film centers on an intense and enigmatic dialogue between two characters, a man and a woman, whose identities and relationships remain deliberately ambiguous. Set within the…
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MADRES PARALELAS aka PARALLEL MOTHERS
“Parallel Mothers” (“Madres Paralelas”) is a Spanish drama film released in 2021, directed and written by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, and Rossy de Palma. The story revolves around two women, Janis (Penélope Cruz) and Ana (Milena Smit), who form a deep bond after meeting in a…
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SHORT FILM: DRIVING THERE
“Driving There” is a 2024 short film written and directed by Marlaina Smith. The film delves into the depths of grief, portraying a deeply personal and poignant journey as two strangers serendipitously intersect; they unearth a shared purpose, forging an unbreakable bond. The film opens at a remote and very windy gas station, where Daniel…
The Other Cinema 