Film Junkie XIII

Persepolis
Director: Vicent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi
Writer: Marjane Satrapi
Year: 2007
Country: France | US

Based on the real story of Marjane Satrapi as told in her graphic novel of the same name, Persepolis portrays the life of Satrapi since she was a child growing amidst the chaos of the Iranian Revolution until her move to France as a young adult. The film's animation is visually striking and very aesthetically pleasing.

I have watched Persepolis a few more times since the first time I saw it, and each time, I grow to love it more and consider it one of my favorites. Satrapi's complex story, as well as the complicated situation in Iran, are beautifully intertwined in this film, and it becomes clear from the beginning that much of what Satrapi is and becomes, is irrefutably a result of what goes on in her homeland. Coming from a leftist family of revolutionaries, Satrapi reacts very strongly against the ultra-conservative and fundamentalist ways of the Islamic revolution, escaping to Europe in her teenage years, to come back later and live almost as a foreigner in her own home. One of the greatest aspects of this film is its delicately changing tone; which at times is serious, dramatic and sad, and at others funny and self-depreciating from the perspective of Satrapi. The script I find almost flawless, as well as the stunning animation, and the flow of events. This is one I would recommend again and again to every person.
My rating: 10/10
IMDb rating: 8.0/10

Camila
Director: María Luisa Bemberg
Writer: María Luisa Bember et al.
Year: 1984
Country: Argentina | Spain

Camila is based on the real love story between 19th century Argentinean socialite Camila O’Gorman and Jesuit priest Ladislao Gutiérrez. It was written and directed by María Luisa Bemberg.

Camila (Susú Pecoraro) is a young woman who belongs to a family of high ranking in Buenos Aires that enthusiastically supports the conservative dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas, whom Camila openly opposes. After listening to one of the new priest Ladislao Gutiérrez’s sermons, in which he condemns the recent violent actions of the government against a bookseller, an occurrence which Camila despises, she becomes instantly attracted to him due to their similar ideas of justice and the boldly effective and brave way in which he voiced out his thoughts. From this moment Camila and Ladislao’s attraction for one another grows immensely and uncontrollably, until they eventually flee Buenos Aires and assume new lives under new identities in a small town where they run a school. The authorities accuse them of sacrilege, a punishable crime, and set out to capture and kill them.

Bemberg has taken these historical facts and has created an interesting drama that conveys this real story beautifully, but not in an unnecessarily tearjerker way. The subjects of love and religion are explored in the film, but special attention is dedicated mostly to the role of values in a society and in each individual person. For example, while government officials who unjustly assassinate those who disagree with their policies go unpunished, a priest who has escaped with the love of his life must suffer the worst of sentences, capital punishment, along with her. Bemberg uses this situation to criticize the hypocritical conservatism of dictatorial governments that claim to be guided by high moral standards, but that turn a blind eye when it is the people working for them and supporting them who are guilty of corruption and scandal.

The photography and the soundtrack are effective in emphasizing the social, religious, and historical themes of the story, though some qualities of the film may seem slightly antiquated for modern standards, including the melodramatic performances of some characters. However, the film remains a strong piece that illustrates in the most straightforward and simple of manners the great passions, scandals, injustices, and corruptions of humanity.
My rating: 6/10
IMDb rating: 7.1/10

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Director: Mark Herman
Writer: Mark Herman [based on the novel by John Boyne]
Year: 2008
Country: UK | US

Little Bruno (Asa Butterfield), is an eight-year-old boy whose father is a high-ranking Schutzstaffel officer during the Second World War. Oblivious to the atrocities committed by the Nazis during the war, Bruno sets out to explore about the new country house to where he and his family have just moved, and discovers a strange "farm" (a concentration camp) where people wear curious "striped pyjamas" (the infamous striped uniforms worn by the imprisoned Jews).

Avoiding being discovered by his family, Bruno sets out to the "farm" almost every day after he befriends a little boy named Schmuel (Jack Scanlon) who, little by little, corrects Bruno's mistaken ideas, and teaches him what truly goes on inside the concentration camp and why he and his family are there.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a heart-breaking film. A poignant story, made even more so through the goodhearted naïveté of a child conflicted upon discovering that his father is the bad guy of the story. The direction and photography of this film are breath-taking, and the story very beautiful in itself.
My rating: 8/10
IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Notes on a Scandal
Director: Richard Eyre
Writer: Patrick Marber [based on the novel by Zoe Heller]
Year: 2006
Country: UK

Not much time to review this one, but since I am so late with my Film Junkie posts, I want to get as many movies out of the way as I can. In sum, top-notch acting (Cate Blanchet is one of my favorites), a perfectly told story, with great pace, building a good amount of suspense and anticipation, but not to the point of despair and exasperation. A very interesting topic (sexual relations between teacher and student), and very surprising twists. A great film.
My rating: 9/10
IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Related Posts:

• Things that Happen (briefly discusses Camila)
  

On the next Film Junkie: The Mirror, Milk, Funny Face, and Lucía y el Sexo.