Saturday, April 12, 2014

"The Past" (2013)


I love good cinema.  And I'm willing to go overseas to find it.

Today, I saw a foreign film that's one of the best I've encountered.  I was drawn to it because the filmmaker (Asghar Farhadi) is a talented artist who made an excellent movie I enjoyed ("A Separation" in 2011).  This current film, made last year, is even better.

"The Past" is skilled filmmaking of the highest order.  Farhadi insisted on spending two months in rehearsals with his actors before breaking out a camera.  That devotion shows in the depth and reality of the acting.  You believe you're watching real life, not a movie.  The subject is family and personal relationships, which have a reality that transcends the usual fare at the multiplex.

Plus, the film stars Bérénice Bejo, who you may remember as the adorable Peppy Miller in "The Artist."  Bejo is a superb actress who shines in this role.

The film won many awards at Cannes and was nominated this year for a Golden Globe.  Nicole Kidman sat as a judge at Cannes and admitted to crying after watching this film.

The film was made in France and is spoken in French with subtitles.  The filmmaker is Iranian, as is the main actor; Bejo is Argentinian.

Not everyone likes foreign films or subtitles, but this movie is exceptional and worth the effort.



16 comments:

  1. I have a pet peeve. It's my attitude toward's peoples' reactions to subtitled films. I shouldn't be so judgemental and I hate being like that but I secretly classify people into "subtitle-people" and "people with no patience for foreign films". I will definitely have this film on my "watch list" Ally, thank you for sharing. xoxoox

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    1. You won't regret it. And I also don't know why people are unwilling to watch subtitled films. Some of the best cinematic art is made abroad; why cut yourself off from that?

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  2. There are so many foreign film that just kick ass compared to the big budget movies. I have so many friends who cant stand subtitles I forget all about it after the first couple of minutes as I am so drawn into the movie.

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    1. Absolutely right. And I have the same experience.

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  3. Since there is only a limited amount of German films coming out every year, I watch films from other countries all the time and love it!

    Have a great day,
    -Kati

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  4. Oh I need to mention this to Kyle! Seems like something we would like to watch!

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  5. I want to watch this now! I adore foreign films. Have you seen "The Hunt"? It is Danish I believe. Great, but difficult film to watch. I also want to see The Great Beauty the Italian film. Is this on Netflix? I need to look for it.


    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I did see "The Hunt," mostly because I enjoy Mads Mikkelsen's acting. Fine film. I saw "The Past" on DVD from Netflix.

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  6. I wanna watch this movie, now ! I go to the movies once or twice a week and I couldn't seriously live without, I missed this one, must catch up ! I often watch movies without dubbing, in original languaged with subs, it's even better ! Hugs

    Fashion and Cookies

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  7. Personally, I like subtitles, whether I can understand the spoke language or not. It allows me to focus better on what I'm watching.

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  8. Subtitles don't bother me at all and I much prefer them to dubbing. Some of the best films come with subtitles so that's too much film goodness to miss out on. I agree with Megan, I think perhaps the subtitles cause an increase in focus which is worthwhile. Thanks for the recommendation of this film. I hope I get to see it eventually.

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  9. I love good movies too! The last one I watched was "the girl Wadjya" (thats my translation of the German name "das Mädchen Wadjya" and it was so good! The story of a small girl in Kabul and her greatest dream to own a bicycle (which is not allowed for girls...) I loved it!
    By the way, I missed you at my brunch Saturday!
    Have good start in the week!

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    1. I saw that movie -- it's called simply "Wadjya" here.

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  10. I am a sucker for foreign films. I was lucky to be exposed to many amazing artists when I was in film school and used to be a regular at TIFF. You would probably love it!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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  11. I love foreign films primarily because I feel our stateside ones shy away from cerebral topics and character development. This is definitely one I'll have to give a try!

    XxMO
    madame-ostrich.com

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  12. I wonder if this is on Netflix.
    Here we get only US Hollywood movies, its really hard to find any Spanish, French or any foreign movie...

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