Iranian Lepers

The House Is Black (1962)

Directed by Forough Farrokhzad this documentary looks at like in an Iranian leper colony. Film of lepers living their day to day life is combined with narration from religious texts and poetry.

One has to wonder if this film could be made in a modern Iran because to me the juxtaposition of the terrible lives of those in the film and the religious text implies an uncaring god at best. However you interpret the film it is certainly an interesting insight into a way of life we would rather not think about and really more should have been done to prevent. Certainly unique and at times challenging to watch this is one of the more interesting short films I have seen.

4/5

In Soviet Russia Love Triangle Less Important than Patriotic Duty

By the Bluest of Seas (1936)

Directed by Boris Barnet this film stars Yelena Kuzmina, Nikolai Kryuchkov and Lev Sverdlin. Two men are sent to work on a small island in the Caspian sea and both fall in love with the head of the collective.

You could say that this film is pretty rudimentary at times with a very basic plot that is pretty much Soviet propaganda in parts. Given the short run time it is no surprise the story is so simple but there was still time for a bit more depth. There are some nice shots of the sea but other times the image quality is not great and you can see the film maker still getting to grips with the transition between silent and sound films.

2/5

History and cliche

Belle (2013)

Directed by Amma Asante this film stars Gug Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Miranada Richardson and Emily Watson. The mixed race daughter of an aristocrat is raised in England by the Lord Chief Justice and his wife during the last 1700s.

Taking a true historical story this film explores ideas of racism and sexism of the period it is set in and while the basis is a truly fascinating story the usual genre clichés jammed in all over the place. Despite being a decent watch it is some what disappointing that historical accuracy has been sidelined in such a unique story for what we so often get anyway from films set in this period. The film is well made and a good period effort but falls short of what it could have been.

3/5

36 > 8

The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1983)

Directed by Lau Kar-leung this film stars Gordon Liu, Alexander Fu, Kara Hui and Ko Fei. One son of a general survives the death of his fathers and brothers and the hands of treacherous fighters.

This film shares the same director with 36^th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) and unsurprisingly the basic plot is largely the same. I found this to be a weaker version of the earlier film but still an enjoyable watch even if there is not a lot of originality here. Some of the special effects are a step further from with more crazy magic on show here but the story lacks some heart in my opinion.

3/5

Deliver us from unoriginality

Deliver Us from Evil (2014)

Directed by Scott Derrickson this film allegedly inspired by real events stars Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez and Olivia Munn. A veteran New York police officer with a radar for trouble finds himself investigating what looks like demonic possession.

There is nothing new here and while the film skirts round the ideas of the route of evil it never goes anywhere with them. At some points the characters are really annoying, refusing to talk to each other for no good reason other than to drag out the story. The direction is pretty good but the content is so generic this ends up being just another horror film in a sea of many.

3/5

An idea is not enough

Sex Tape (2014)

Directed by Jake Kasdan this film stars Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry and Ellie Kemper. Seeking to spice up their sex life a married couple with kids make a sex tape only for it to get out into the wild.

It takes a while for this film to get to it's premise and once it does it never really goes anywhere with the idea. There is a kernel of a good idea for a comedy here but the film makers seem to think that is enough to carry the film and it really is not. Jack Black provides a few laughs in his cameo but otherwise there is not really enough humour in this film.

2/5

Nudity, art and no money

Hold Me While I'm Naked (1966)

Directed by George Kuchar this short film stars Donna Kerness, Stella Kuchar and the film's director. An independent film maker struggles to make his art which involves various sex scenes.

The aesthetic of this film is described as “low-fi” which means cheap and highly rough which will put some people off. As a parody of independent film making and those with an inflated opinion of themselves this is not bad but the short run time does not allow for a huge amount of depth. If you can look past some of the flaws of the film this is not too bad of a watch.

2/5