Went to an avant-premiere showing of Jean Valjean organised by the Lions Club. It goes on general release on the 19th.
It was a very faithful rendition of the first chapters of Les Miserables, and perhaps a bit too faithful as no surprises at all. But the cinematographer obviously had a ball in the Luberon and there were several no expense spared theatrical sequences which were fun to watch.
It sort of reminded me of the French equivalent of a Merchant Ivory production (for those who remember those). Solid cast, good costumes and make up, locations chosen with precision, and carefully put together to have just enough pace. The main actor really put effort into expressing emotion with his face, the others also well casted. Apart from the urchins who looked as if they had come straight from a parisian stage school.
So nothing wrong with it at all. Had it not been a charity event we wouldn’t have bothered, but it was a pleasant way to spend 98 minutes. So good if you have time to spare or fill and like Les Mis. But it won’t blow your socks off.
Le gâteau du Président, an Iraqi film based during time of Saddam Hussein when, on his birthday, one chosen pupil from each school had to make him a cake. Hard when dirt poor and in a country under international sanctions.
The plot is about the 9 yo girl who was chosen and her efforts to get the ingredients and bake this cake - so a slightly fantastical comedy of errors as she, her pet cock Hanni and a schoolfriend try to do this.
But the part that was fascinating is that it was filmed entirely in Iraq, some in a city (probably Baghdad?) and much in the Mesopotamian marshes and her marsh village. I only had a vague notion of marsh arabs and was gripped by this depiction of a way of life that continues despite everything. Very beautiful landscape too.
Apparently Hasan Hadi the filmmaker turned down funding that required him to make the film in Jordan or Morocco and insisted it be filmed in real places in Iraq.
A lot of the filming was done from the little girl’s perspective (height), which gave it an added drama. Plus the depiction of Iraq in time of Saddam Hussein was also powerful in cinematic terms.
So these things overcame the wobbly plot and largely amateur wooden actors to make a very interesting and absorbing film that is worth seeing. And one hopes that it indicates a good future for this Iraqi filmmaker and the Iraqi film industry - which is virtually non existant.
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Yojimbo - Kurosawa’s 1961 film
It was like watching a mash-up between classic Japanese Edo wood blocks and a full on Western. And very funny. With some remarkable caricatures among the actors, with amazing faces.
I don’t think I have knowingly been to see a Western, but strangely recognised so many of the ideas and clips. I had to look it up but this film was plagiarised in a Fistful of Dollars, to the extent that the US producers were taken to court.
Also curiously Japanese in the fluidity of the moral compass, as the main Samurai was not entirely the good guy or the bad guy. But of course came out on top at the end. My understanding is that Westerns are normally clear cut between good and bad,
It was also hugely curious as to why this was shown. A very strange choice as not part of a Japanese week, or 1960’s classics and doesn’t seem to link to anything else on the programme this month. A lucky dip perhaps? I will have to find out how programming happens in Art& Essai cinemas.
However easy to watch, made us laugh and worth the time.
Saw it many years ago, and it’s fun spotting the influences on Sergio Leone/ Clint while nevertheless thinking of them as two very separate genres. Driving through the southern Spain of Leone’s movies a few years ago, I felt a similar sense of similar but not the same. However once one starts playing that game of associations, you can construct all sorts of weird Venn diagrams - I’d toss this one into the mix. :-
https://www.youtube.c - om/watch?v=38zRx9AYDHQ
Your link got me to Miles Davies sketches of Spain which I don’t think was the intention?
The Seven Samurai was basically ripped off wholesale for The Magnificent Seven and The Hidden Fortess was a major inspiration for George Lucas’ Star Wars.
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