Tag: Self-Destruction
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WARNUNG VOR EINER HEILIGEN HURE aka BEWARE OF A HOLY WHORE
“Beware of a Holy Whore” (Warnung vor einer heiligen Hure) is a 1971 film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, renowned for its exploration of complex psychological and social dynamics, as well as its subversion of traditional cinematic forms. This avant-garde film, while brimming with Fassbinder’s trademark themes of existential struggle, interpersonal alienation, and self-destruction, offers…
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CONTROL
Control (2007) is a British biographical drama directed by Anton Corbijn, depicting the life and tragic demise of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division. The film stars Sam Riley as Ian Curtis, Samantha Morton as his wife, Deborah Curtis, Alexandra Maria Lara as Annik Honoré, and Joe Anderson as Joy Division’s bassist Peter…
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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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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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WITHNAIL AND I
“Withnail and I” is a 1987 British black comedy film written and directed by Bruce Robinson. It is a darkly comedic portrayal of two struggling actors who embark on a chaotic, booze-fueled holiday in the English countryside. Starring Richard E. Grant as the flamboyant Withnail and Paul McGann as the more reserved “I” (whose name…
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37˚2 LE MATIN aka BETTY BLUE
“Betty Blue” (original title: “37°2 le matin”) is a 1986 French romantic drama directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix. The film is based on Philippe Djian’s novel of the same name and is known for its intense, passionate portrayal of love, mental illness, and artistic aspiration. It stars Béatrice Dalle as Betty and Jean-Hugues Anglade as Zorg.…
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TRAINSPOTTING
“Trainspotting” is a 1996 British black comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle and based on Irvine Welsh’s novel of the same name. The film offers a gritty and darkly humorous exploration of the lives of a group of heroin addicts living in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the late 1980s. The film follows Mark Renton (played by…
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BAD LIEUTENANT
“Bad Lieutenant” (1992) is a provocative crime drama directed by Abel Ferrara and cowritten by Ferrara and actress-model Zoë Lund. The film features a standout performance by Harvey Keitel as the eponymous Lieutenant. The film paints a stark, unflinching portrait of a man on the edge, grappling with his own vices and inner demons. Harvey…
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ヘルタースケルター) aka HELTER SKELTER
“Helter Skelter” is a 2012 Japanese psychological thriller directed by Mika Ninagawa. It is based on the manga by the same name, Kyoko Okazaki. The story revolves around Liliko Kinoshita (Erika Sawajiri), a beautiful and successful but deeply troubled model and actress who undergoes extreme cosmetic surgery to maintain her youthful appearance and fame. Liliko…
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ALL THAT JAZZ
“All That Jazz” is an introspective musical drama directed by Bob Fosse in 1979 that follows the turbulent life of Joe Gideon (played by Roy Schneider), a brilliant yet self-destructive Broadway choreographer and director. As he faces his mortality and battles his inner demons, Joe takes audiences on a wild journey through his tumultuous career,…
The Other Cinema 