Film Festivals 2005
Once again the wide world of cinema offers a cache of captivating films. From France the delightful 'Look at Me', Tony Gatlif's 'Exils' and horror/slasher 'The Ordeal'. 'Hotel Rwanda' and documentary 'Darwin's Nightmare' unlock some of Africa's darkest secrets while from Hong Kong came the diverse '2046' and Stephen Chow's comic tour de force 'Kung Fu Hustle'. From the US, Gregg Araki's disturbing 'Mysterious Skin', 'Birth' with Nicole Kidman and understated Southern pot-boiler 'Undertow'. Stand-out documentaries also included 'Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price', the incredible 'DiG!' and from North Korea a fascinating insight with 'A State of Mind'.
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
8.2/10
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring: Voices Of, Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Jean Simmons, Blythe Danner, Billy Cr...
With its otherworldly beauty and charm Miyazaki's magical tale of adventure and self-discovery is testament to his limiltiless imagination. 18-year-ol... Read more
La Strada ( The Road ) (1954)
8.1/10
Director: Federico Fellini
Starring: Giulietta Masina, Anthony Quinn, Richard Basehart
AKA 'The Road'. Fellini's Oscar-winning study of a brutish carnival strongman (Anthony Quinn) who uses a simple minded girl (Giulietta Masina) to serv... Read more
The General (1927)
8.2/10
Director: Buster Keaton
Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender
One of the greatest films from the silent period, a true classic. Buster Keaton is an engineer on 'The General', a Confederate train during the Civil... Read more
My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
From legendary Manga director Hayao Miyazaki comes that rare delight - a family film that really appeals to all ages. While their mother is in hospit... Read more
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
8.1/10
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
This classic Miyazaki film in many ways foreshadows his later, more widely recognised hit, 'Princess Mononoke'. In the far future, man has destroyed t... Read more
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2004)
7.3/10
Director: Miranda July
Starring: John Hawkes, Miranda July, Miles Thompson, Brandon Ratcliff, Carlie Westerman
Successfully cross-pollinating quirky rom-com with ensemble drama, performance artist Miranda July's debut feature navigates the tricky waters of inti... Read more
Mon Oncle (1958)
7.9/10
Director: Jacques Tati
Starring: Jacques Tati, Jean-Pierre Zola, Adrienne Servantie
A masterpiece by the great French comic Jacques Tati which concentrates on young Gerard Arpel and his Uncle Hulot (Jacques Tati) in a house where gadg... Read more
Mysterious Skin (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Gregg Araki
Starring: Bill Sage, Elisabeth Shue, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michelle Trachtenberg, Brady Co...
Based on Scott Heim's novel, Gregg Araki's powerful drama sees two young men uncover a shared secret from their past. Brian (Brady Corbet) was just e... Read more
Mr Hulot's Holiday ( Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot ) (1952)
Director: Jacques Tati
Starring: Jacques Tati, Nathalie Pascaud, Michelle Rolla
This wonderfully comic plotless movie about Monsieur Hulot's vacation trip to the seashore features hilarious situations and a brilliant performance b... Read more
Machuca (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Andres Wood
Starring: Matias Quer, Ariel Mataluna, Manuela Martelli, Aline Kuppenheim, Federico Luppi
In 1973 Chile's democratically-elected socialist government was overthrown by a US-led coup that initiated the ruthless dictatorship of Augusto Pinoch... Read more