The winner of the top prize, the
coveted Palme d'Or (Best Picture) award, at the 2002 Cannes
International Film Festival, The Pianist is the latest film
from one of the world's true visionary filmmakers: Roman Polanski.
The film is Polanski's most personal statement, the one he has waited
four decades to make, a testament to the belief that the triumph of
the human spirit is wedded to the transforming power of art.
Spring,
Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring is
a 2003 South
Koreanfilm about
aBuddhistmonastery that
floats on a lake in a pristine forest. The story is about the life of
a Buddhist monk as
he passes through the seasons of his life, from childhood to old age.
The
movie was directed by Kim
Ki-duk,
and stars Su
Oh-yeong, Kim
Young-min, Seo
Jae-kyung,
and Kim
Jong-ho.
The director himself appears as the man in the last stage of life.
The quiet, contemplative film marked a significant change from his
previous
works, which were often criticized for excessive violence and
misogyny.
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Working
miracles with only a single set and a handful of characters, Korean
director Kim Ki-Duk creates a wise little gem of a movie. As the
title suggests, the action takes place in five distinct episodes, but
sometimes many years separate the seasons. The setting is a floating
monastery in a pristine mountain lake, where an elderly monk teaches
a boy the lessons of life--although when the boy grows to manhood, he
inevitably must learn a few hard lessons for himself. By the time the
story reaches its final sections, you realize you have witnessed the
arc of existence--not one person's life, but everyone's. It's as
enchanting as a Buddhist fable, but it's not precious; Kim (maker of
the notorious The
Isle)
consistently surprises you with a sex scene or an explosion of black
comedy; he also vividly acts in the Winter segment, when the lake
around the monastery eerily freezes. --Robert
Horton
Set against Paris' oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf, while it was closed for repairs, this film is a love story between two young vagrants: Alex, a would be circus performer addicted to alcohol and sedatives and Michele, a painter driven to a life on the streets because of a failed relationship and an affliction which is slowly turning her blind. The film portrays the harsh existence of the homeless as Alex, Michele and Hans, an older vagrant survive on the streets with their wits. As they both slowly get their lives back together, Michele becomes increasingly dependent on Alex as her vision deteriorates further. Fearing that Michele will leave him if she receives a new medical treatment Alex attempts to keep Michele practically a prisoner. The streets, skies and waterways of Paris are used as a backdrop to the story in a series of stunning visuals which dominate the film.
The winner of the top prize, the
coveted Palme d'Or (Best Picture) award, at the 2002 Cannes
International Film Festival, The Pianist is the latest film
from one of the world's true visionary filmmakers: Roman Polanski.
The film is Polanski's most personal statement, the one he has waited
four decades to make, a testament to the belief that the triumph of
the human spirit is wedded to the transforming power of art.
The winner of the top prize, the
coveted Palme d'Or (Best Picture) award, at the 2002 Cannes
International Film Festival, The Pianist is the latest film
from one of the world's true visionary filmmakers: Roman Polanski.
The film is Polanski's most personal statement, the one he has waited
four decades to make, a testament to the belief that the triumph of
the human spirit is wedded to the transforming power of art.
