To help somebody one has to have a humanistic perspective.

Lili et le baobab (2006) directed by Chantal Richard

Before watching this hard to classify film, one must try to find out why this film failed on all fronts. "Lili and the baobab" was a box office failure. It failed to make an impression on viewers too. One probable reason for all these failures could be that it was released at a time when majority of viewers were going gaga over overtly commercial films like "Les Bronzés 3" directed by Patrice Leconte. As "Lili and the baobab" cannot fit in the auteur film category, it was summarily rejected by a small minority of auteur cinema admirers too. As far as this film is concerned, a large portion of its narrative structure is based on Chantal Richard's personal experiences. Her film addresses the universal concept of individual freedom, friendship and desire to understand different cultures. On the one hand there is Lili-a young photographer from Cherbourg. She is in Africa for a photo assignment. On the other hand there is a young African woman Aminata whose life is in danger. She is in deep trouble as she has given birth to an illegitimate child. Lili wants to do something more than a simple photo assignment for African people.After returning to Cherbourg, she decides to provide all kind of emotional, financial support to Aminata. She also experiences how illegal immigrants live. It is through these generous acts that Lili is able to know her compassionate,kind self. It is nice to learn that such a personal film is still being made in contemporary France. What could be the reason ? Most of the people would guess that as French ruled over Africans in the past, it is quite natural for them to believe that it is their prerogative to make films related to African issues. In some ways, this stance may be termed as their way of getting rid of their not so holy past.

Revelation of middle class hypocrisy.

Lawn Dogs (1997) directed by John Duigan

John Duigan is a great cinematographic author who has made many admirably charming films such as Wide Saragasso Sea,The year my voice broke etc.Most of his films are about some important issues related to human behavior in our fast changing society and its implications on mankind.Lawn Dogs is a nice tale of inhuman indifference based on class,status which affect the lives of two lonely people:a young drifter and a young girl.These two roles are nicely played by Sam Rockwell and Mischa Barton.Apart from the two main protagonists, remaining characters of this film are absolutely unusual as they are much too protective of their children.It is for this reason that this theme of this film is absolutely novel and not so much is heard about another film handling a theme of child molestation.As the film takes places in a small town full chance is given to viewers to make an assessment of its bored citizens who have some dark secrets hiding with them.There has been no film before Lawn Dogs which has so deftly handled a difficult subject of child molestation.

Everybody wants to taste power especially those who are unemployed.

Lacombe Lucien (1974) directed by Louis Malle

"Lacombe Lucien" is a good reminder for all of us to learn as to what kinds of havocs wars can wreak on ordinary human beings. The thing that must be noted in Louis Malle's film is that almost all of the characters have their inherent weaknesses. It is due to these actions based on weaknesses that their behavior is full of indecision, cowardice and strangeness.For example the young French boy Lacombe Lucien is highly vulnerable as he does not have a good job. It is due to this that he decides to join Gestapo. Once he is admitted into Gestapo he starts to taste power. The behavior of the Jewish girl played by Aurore Clement is also highly strange as she decides not only to fall in love but also elope with her enemy. This is also the case of her father and grand mother. So when you have so many people exhibiting strange behavior it is highly improbable that they would be able to make better decisions. This is the motto of the film.

Nostalgia for all the things of the past.

Kung-Fu master (1987) directed by Agnès Varda

I undertook a time machine type ride heavily imbued with nostalgia when I saw this film in 2005.Kung Fu master directed by the unofficial grand mother of French new wave cinema Agnes Varda is as relevant in our contemporary times as it was 20 years ago in a not so distant past of 1987.It was a time of ubiquitous video games and all the unending worries,fears and anxieties related to a mysterious disease called AIDS. In this film it was nice to see some young French actors who ever since have nicely grown up such as Lou Doillon,Charlotte Gainsbourg and Mathieu Demy.The mystical Agnes Varda touch is very much evident and she takes her viewers on a tour of two different countries where our leading lady Jane Birkin has resided :England and France.Kung Fu master also contains in itself a puppy tale of juvenile love.In the hands of a less versatile director this would have been an absolute catastrophe but due to Agnes Varda's experience in handling such a complex tale of human emotions, what we get is one of the most personal wonderful statements of 21th Century on love.This is the only plausible reason for viewers to watch this film.

Divorce,custody of the kid seen through Hoffman and Streep's acting talents

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) directed by Robert Benton

I have seen this film on 3 different occasions.On the first occasion,I was bowled over by this film.It appeared as a very kind film to me.I hated this film as a sentimental garbage on my second viewing.However my third viewing reasserted my belief that it is a good film.There is a lot of emotional power in this film especially scenes of emotional confrontation between Mr Kramer and Madam Kramer.There are some scenes in which Meryl Streep appears a cruel person despite the fact that she is a beauty in real life.Dustin Hoffman appears as a lost hero unable to grapple with the recent task of his child's custody.There was even a controversy on the sets of this film.According to the master cameraman Nestor Almendros there was a shot in which he just escaped getting hurt as the character of Mr.Kramer,in order to show the intensity of his anger,decides to break a glass hard.Luckily nothing happened to Nestor.Kramer versus Kramer shows the destruction of a family structure.It also tells how family must be maintained if there are kids involved.

Make sure an innocent person is not hurt anywhere, anytime under any circumstances.

Mang Zhong (2005) directed by Zhang Lu

Chinese-Korean filmmaker Zhang Lu shares his artistic destiny with the likes of Japanese filmmakers Yoichi Sai (Blood and bones) and Lee Sang Il (Borderline) who are ethnically Korean but have been creatively active for all their lives in their country of residence Japan. As they have personally been victims of indifference, they have decided to mitigate their sufferings by showing their anger,frustration,hurt, disappointment and misery in their films. Their films are about the problems faced by those people who form part of two cultures. The inherent message of these films is how difficult it is to live like a second class citizen in a land whose customs, traditions and are not at all different from one's homeland. On the contrary, "Grain in ear" directed by Zhang Lu tackles the essential question of cultural identity. The film speaks of the cultural clash faced by Cui Shunji, an unmarried woman of Korean origin. She does everything in order to keep her young boy happy. It is important to note that like Chinese filmmaker Wang Chao (Orphan of Anyang), Zhang Lu too started his artistic career as a writer. It is for this very reason that he has deliberately chosen to give a bookish feel to this film. Watching this film, we feel as if we are reading a filmed book. This film is surely not for viewers used to Hollywood style slick, quick action type films where something keeps on happening every now and than. "Grain in ear" portrays how ordinary people are driven to madness when they are provoked beyond the normal limit of endurance. For this film, Zhang Lu received full support as well as cooperation from an equally great writer turned filmmaker, the acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang Dong (Oasis) who also worked for a brief while as South Korean minister of culture.

Emotional conflicts of a French family.

Ma saison préférée (1993) directed by André Téchiné

Techine has made a beautiful film about lost childhood,the passing time and old age.Ma Saison preferee succeeds as it evokes situations which each one of us have experienced in our lives.It is primarily a film about the complex relationship a mother has with her children. Berthe does not want her children to worry about her as she is aware of the fact that no one cares about her.Her illness facilitates a true meeting between all family members.Berthe is resolute enough to realize that she has to get ahead in life on her own terms as no one is bothered about her welfare.Ma Saison preferee is a slice of life as witnessed in present day France.The film is divided into episodes each dealing with events related to the family.The film is about difficult life old people are forced to lead when their children start ignoring them.Ma Saison preferee is as simple and straightforward as flowing water.This has been Techine's most remarkable film about family life after Souvenirs d'en France.

How a young housewife is trapped into submission by her husband.

Martha (1974) directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

No one can deny the poise,finesse and grace with which Fassbinder has directed some of the most charming women characters. This quality is currently being imbibed by some of the most talented filmmakers like Todd Haynes in USA and François Ozon in France. In this particular melodramatic film,Fassbinder is at his best and there is strong belief in the minds of true cinema admirers that "Martha" would surely rank as one of his best films.Initially the setting in Italy helps the film to build its momentum but it reaches feverish pitch once the events start to unfold in Germany. The two main actors are captivating. Karl Heinz Boehm has given a chilling performance as a bizarre husband. Looking at him no one can make out whether he truly loves his wife or troubling his wife sadistically remains his past time. Margit Cartensen is great too as the wife suffering humiliation at the hands of a man she thought loved him. To my mind, Martha would be of higher interest to all those who are keen on learning more about the depiction of women in new German cinema.

Sometimes films bashing white people are also made by black filmmakers

Le Jardin de papa (2004) directed by Zeka Laplaine

A big shock is in store for all who are finding this film's title appealing. "Father's Garden". Well, all the nature lovers will be highly and mightily disappointed. There is no sight of any exotic African garden in this film. What can one presumably see in this film ? One can see how a white newly wed French couple is badly beaten by black (coloured) African hoodlums. There are scenes of a French woman who is feeling nostalgic about Africa as she was born there. What is the problem ? It is quite evident that two wrongs cannot make a right. So the basic idea of "white bashing" is wrong. It is absolutely true that, in a not so distant past, white people did all kinds of atrocities on their black brothers but that should not result,under any circumstances,in the same unfair treatment to white brothers and sisters in today's contemporary world. So from this valid point of view this movie fails to deliver any message. As far as an ideological yardstick is concerned, the white producers are to be blamed for having financed this project. Why did they do something as mischievous as this ? Well, it is quite easy to guess. Many films are made exclusively for black audiences. Since the black poor are generally people, it is the white people who finance such films.All in all, this film might set a bad precedent for our talented filmmakers from Africa.

Franco-American relations will surely get a boost if this film is shown to the concerned people.

I Want to Go Home (1989) directed by Alain Resnais

Before shooting "I want to go home", if Resnais had thought of keeping somebody in mind, it is quite possible that he must have had ruminated about both American and French public. "I want to go home" shows why French fascinate Americans so much. It is a fairly honest portrayal of why French have all the respect for Americans. It is so hard to believe that this comic film was made by Resnais. For the last five decades, he has remained a highly intelligent intellectual cinéaste who has excelled in making difficult films about memories. Watching his films can be likened to a concentrated reading of a "stream of consciousness" oeuvre. Not only will this film charm die-hard francophiles like Paul Auster, Johnny Depp, William Fiedkin, Jim Jarmusch, Hal Hartley and John Malkovich but also fans of comic strips as it is not so often that one comes across a feature film in which there is a happy marriage of cartoons and film. Through this quirky work, Resnais has advocated popular culture as in today's world Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Garfield are as relevant/necessary and useful for everybody as Flaubert, Stendhal and Sartre. "I want to go home" is a light film which provides a multiplicity of meanings for its viewers. On an elementary level it explores cultural differences between French and American people. On another level it is also a tale of an amicable reconciliation process which happens between a father meeting his daughter after many years. This emotional turmoil has been shown in a very dignified indeed subtle manner. Although it might seem odd, this film makes it absolutely clear that French have a penchant for admiring those American artists who have been ignominiously rejected/ignored back home in USA. One classical example is Samuel Fuller. He enjoys a bigger, dedicated fan following in France than in United States of America. "I want to go home" is a film which can be understood by all kinds of artists. It speaks of different arts like cinema, comics etc. This is why Resnais has collaborated with great artists like Enki Bilal, Jules Feiffer and John Kander. The highlight of this film is the fact that it shows how all arts are interrelated as well as mutually beneficial. In "I want to go home" the characters alternate between serious mood and comic mood. This is because people can't always remain funny or serious. Resnais makes us all imbibe a logical lesson that in our daily lives we have to react according to the situation in which we find ourselves. Lastly it is high time that it is said that although Americans might abhor French or vice versa, the truth is that both of them cannot live without each other.

No one is safe in USA. Why did Mr. Klutter have to talk so long ?

In Cold Blood (1967) directed by Richard Brooks

"In cold blood" proffers a multiplicity of interpretations. To those aware of black and white era, it will surely remain a perfect crime drama, humanist movie and a truthful statement about the American rural society which was very closely knit. All this might not be same for today's viewers whoever they might be, wherever they might live because they have only a brief inkling of that bygone era. This is not unusual as these folks are more used to today's films with explicit gore, mayhem, violence and bloodbath. So compared to all this the meaningless multiple homicide depicted in "In cold blood" might appear as childish or may be laughable to them. For its 134 minutes duration, "In cold blood" is a very gripping film. One genuine reason to watch it is its masterful original soundtrack by Quincy Jones. Apart from these factors there are many aspects of this film which have become old due to the passage of time. For example-an offhand viewer might get the idea that there is a lot of blood, gore and horrible violence in this film. However it is more of a psychological portrait of a senseless crime which was perpetuated by two highly irresponsible young criminals. In short it is a must for those people who appreciated Psycho by Mr A H. This film is in no way Psycho's poor cousin.

Excellent film from a Georgian master based in Paris : How can anyone ignore human suffering ?

Iko shashvi mgalobeli (1970) directed by Otar Iosseliani

There are many films which are made,were made and will be made.But the thing to remember is that a film that is a motion picture or a feature film is of no use at all if it just remain a plastic material (plastic film on which a film is shot).In the same manner there are many great filmmakers who don't make film.What they do is to make reality visible on a film.I am thrilled to say that the great Georgian master Otar Iosseliani is one such rare filmmaker who is a great painter of human sentiments on the plastic material.Iko Shashvi Mgalobeli is one of his best works.My personal opinion is that it has ample elements which are common to our daily existence. This is an ideal reason for admiring this film.The essence of this film lies in its championing the cause of simplicity as it is the best human virtue.Have you ever wondered whether a film can have therapeutic effect ? No.In that case please watch this film.Its sad disposition will surely transform you into a mature person.

An arrow full of mysterious power.

Hwal (2005) directed by Kim Ki Duk

Kim Ki Duk is the only filmmaker in the realm of world cinema who does not like to repeat himself. There is no story/idea/topic/theme worth human consideration which he has not directed. This is the reason why his films continue to hit us hard on our fragile brains. Hwal is one such film which captivates us for varied reasons. First of all most of the filmmakers have been rather circumspect while dealing with stories featuring an old person in love with a young person. This is not true of Kim Ki Duk. He has brought immense freshness to this theme as in Hwal there is an old man in a boat somewhere in the sea who loves his young girl friend with a view to marry her. His love is unique as it is more of a love based on dedication rather than lust. However in the course of time feelings change and a different reality emerges. This change of emotional events has been deftly handled by Kim Ki Duk as the film ends on a very abstruse note. The best lesson that can be learned from this film is to ruminate over the fact: why two people cannot love each other if they are not of the same age ?

Marcel Carné and the celebration of the greatness of French cinema.

Hôtel du Nord (1938) directed by Marcel Carné

Hotel Du Nord is a gripping drama of guilt in which Marcel Carne portrayed an entertaining tale of ill-fated love which also functions as a revolt against the cruel world.The film is based entirely on a pair of hapless lovers.Pierre and Renee were mistaken when they believed that suicide would put an end to their misery.Hotel Du Nord has its own inimitable charm as its inhabitants have become an essential part of the establishment.There is an element of togetherness as everyone flocks to Hotel Du Nord to eat,chat etc.Marcel Carne has remained true to the spirit of the films produced in 30s and 40s as Hotel Du Nord has a certain kind of nostalgic feel.Carne,while recreating the life of Parisian roads was able to create a sort of nostalgia for black and white giving a unique genre of poetic realism to his oeuvre.Hotel Du Nord can be termed as a quintessence of cinematographic populism.The 14th July ball scene on the banks of Saint Martin canal remains a magnificent sequence.The film's immense popularity can be judged from the fact that Hotel Du Nord has been declared as a national monument.

Common man's film with serious message and creative entertainment : you will find it all in this film.

O Homem Que Copiava (2003) directed by Jorge Furtado

In an age where our cinematographic vision and sensibilities are blurred beyond repair by senseless, worse than junk box office nonsense like Spiderman, Harry Potter etc, it is nice to learn that a film has been made in Brazil by Jorge Furtado which talks about a common man from a realistic point of view. This point of view gives us hope enabling us to lead our daily lives in positive stride.It is not as if films about common denizens have not been made in the past. Of course they have been made by numerous directors and shall continue to be made in the future too. However, the only thing that separates "The man who copied" from other films is its willingness to depict a protagonist with a noble cause. This is precisely why this film will be remembered for many years in the near future.As "The man who copied" is a brilliant film it invariably needs to be known far and wide.It is an eclectic mix of various genres including animation cinema. Lazaro Ramos, the rising star cum actor of Brazilian cinema is our rebel with a cause. He plays the role of a poor boy who wishes to triumph in life. Seeing him face countless adversities with a smile on his face,we the viewers get a smile too. Both the female leads are excellent joy to behold. One the one hand Leandra Leal is cute with girl next door appearance. On the other hand Luana Piovani is the ethereal femme fatale ready to wreck havoc.O Homem que copiava must be watched at all costs as it is film about family values which are slowly disappearing in a lame world living on the crutches of Internet, mobile and Ipods.

An extraordinary film about horrors of war

Hiroshima mon amour (1959) directed by Alain Resnais

Hiroshima Mon Amour is an extraordinary film about time,memory and horrors of war.Resnais has filmed one of the most innovative films in the history of cinema.The actress finds the sensation of her first love and identifies the Japanese architect as the person she loved in the past.Hiroshima Mon Amour was greeted by worldwide appaluse addressed,in particular,to Marguerite Duras who joined forces with Resnais.He asked her to write literature in a way as if she was writing a novel.As she was made to forget the camera,the script consequently had the character of an unending monologue which,at the same time,remained a dialogue with the past.The reality of Hiroshima remains continually marked as it has been shown as a pulsating metropolis where nothing can debilitate people's strength of mind.Sacha Vierny's stark visual images lend credibility to a love affair under difficult circumstances involving two distressed souls.Hiroshima Mon Amour,as a parable of ephemeral passion,will never age with the changing phase of time.

Young boy growing up : a charming "coming of age" film.

Héctor (2004) directed by Gracia Querejeta

It was after having watched this poignant film at a film festival in France that I found out that its director Gracia Querejeta is the daughter of a leading film producer in Spain. This should be taken as a good sign for Spanish cinema because a talented film maker is always looking for funds. If a director's father happens to be a famous producer than it is a good indicator that good films will continue to be made."Hector" is a very pleasant experience in cinema. It is one of those rare contemporary European films which highlight the importance of family life. In this film the principal focus is on a young boy making earnest efforts to get close to his father.He is helped in this pursuit by his kind aunt as she is also feeling the loss of the boy's mother.One particular good thing about Hector is that its pace is amazing which will never let the viewers to feel bored.The original soundtrack is very trendy and will surely soothe many ears.Watch it with your loved one. You are likely to realize the importance of one another.

Watching this film will enable you to know that it is not a typical Bergman film

Hamnstad (1948) directed by Ingmar Bergman

"Hamnstad" is one of the rare Swedish films focusing on family life.Its uniqueness is due to the fact that it has an eclectic mix of serious themes. These themes include bitter, harsh realities like abortion,broken home, correctional house etc. Bergman has deftly portrayed the dreary lives of its two lonely protagonists : Gosta and Berit. For this purpose, he has chosen a small provincial port town where nothing much happens. This film is a good record of how gloomy the life in Sweden (Europe) during 1940s was. Bergman has also shown us how all emotional problems are solved if lovers decide to remain true to each other. This is precisely the case of Gosta and Berit.Gosta has always led a hard life. He is a moody soul too. As a sailor, he has been out on sea for many years. For this reason he is unable to believe that some girl can enter his life in order to love him.There are doubts in Berit's mind too. As a loner, she tries hard to leave her past behind. As a young lass, Berit witnessed numerous fights involving her father and mother. This is one of the reasons why there is enormous distance between Berit and her mother. It is during one of these turbulent emotional phases that Berit meets Gosta. Even though Gosta is a tough nut to crack, his love for Berit is real. On one occasion, Gosta fights some young rascals to prove his intensity of emotional attachment for Berit. Gosta even proves that he is the ideal man for Berit as he solemnly ignores Berit's revelation that in the past, she was sent to a correction house. He urges Berit to make an earnest effort to leave her past behind. Berit has no hesitation at all in following this humble piece of advice. It is precisely in this manner that both Berit and Gosta embark on a successful journey to lead a happy, joyful life as companions for life. All of Bergman's film have a message to offer to audiences. Through "Hamnstad", he wishes to tell us all that being alone is a terrible feeling.

Good comic tandem :Rowan Atkinson and John Malkovich

Johnny English (2003) directed by Peter Howitt

In Johnny English nothing goes right for the character whose role is played by Rowan Atkinson.It is for the first time that I have seen Rowan Atkinson step out of his eternal "Mr Bean" mold and act.What an acting he has done.Just one word comes to mind :superb performance.As far as John Malkovich is concerned as he has strong European connections,he has played the malicious Frenchman's role with great dexterity.Watching him converse in Gallic accented English is an act of true pleasure.The leading ladies are good too especially the singer Nathalie Imbruglia. Although it has been a while that Anglo-French enmity has ended but this film has given it a new twist by depicting the wicked person determined to wreak havoc on England. It is a pity that no one has come forward to make a sequel to this film. When that happens it would definitely turn out to be a successful film.

Those boys were ahead of their times.

Der Junge Törless (1966) directed by Voker Schlondorff

It would be extremely difficult indeed impossible for the great master of New German Cinema Volker Schlondorff if he were to make Der Junge Toerless in current times as many would surely accuse him of spreading the message of anti Semitism.The truth is in reality this film does not harbor any such ideas.However that was not the case in 1950s when he directed this film based on a book by Robert Musil.Of course,it is not a layman's fun stuff film in the conventional sense of the word but one cannot remain indifferent to whatever that has been portrayed in the film. Many have praised the stand taken by Toerless in which he feels empathy for the victim but decides to ignore the events claiming to himself that as they are not affecting him why should he bother too much about them ? The real danger is that some of the viewers might perceive it as a thinking of the past and a very negative politically incorrect ideology. It is in the context of these thoughts that this torture drama behind the closed walls of a boarding school must be viewed.This is certainly not for the weak of the heart.