Eastern European Cinema
Again this category lumps a lot of countries together where the Alice collection is not large enough to warrant separate shelf-space for each country represented. Eastern European films are often categorised by a healthy black humour, an ability to look hardship in the eye and laugh - if somewhat bitterly at times. Included here are films from Poland, Austria, Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. To look for films from a specific country refer to the 'By Country' link on the left.
The Double Life Of Veronique (1991)
7.8/10
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Starring: Halina Gryglaszewska, Irene Jacob, Kalina Jedrusik
Two women with identical looks, birthdates and names unknowingly have their lives inter-connected in this beautifully crafted thriller. When one of th... Read more
The Firemen's Ball (1967)
7.6/10
Director: Milos Forman
Starring: Vaclav Stockel, Josef Svet, Josef Kolb
A milestone of the Czech New Wave, Milos Forman's first colour film "The Firemen's Ball" is both a dazzling comedy and a provocative political satire.... Read more
The Forgiveness of Blood (2011)
6.9/10
Director: Joshua Marston
Starring: Tristan Halilaj, Sindi Lacej
American director Joshua Marston broke out in 2004 with his jolting, Oscar-nominated "Maria Full of Grace", about a young Colombian woman working as a... Read more
The Great Water (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Ivo Trajkov
Starring: Saso Kekenovski, Maja Stankovska, Mitko Apostolovski, Verica Nedeska, Risto Gogo...
A prominent Macedonian politician suffers a heart attack and drifting between life and death, his mind wanders to childhood. In a camp for children w... Read more
The Inheritors (1998)
7.3/10
Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky
Starring: Sophie Rois, Simon Schwarz, Lars Rudolph
Set in a small Austrian village at the turn of the 20th century, this compelling tale of loss, defiance and tragedy begins when a cruel and merciless... Read more
The Kieslowski Collection: The Scar / Camera Buff / Blind Chance / No End / I'm So So (2006)
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
An outstanding collection of Krzysztof Kieslowski's early works, each a masterpiece in its own right, most dealing with personal and philosophical dil... Read more
The Lure (Blu-ray) (2015)
6.3/10
Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska
In Warsaw, a pair of mermaid sisters are adopted into a cabaret. While one seeks love with humans the other hungers to dine on the human population of... Read more
The Mill and the Cross (2011)
6.9/10
Director: Lech Majewski
Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Michael York, Rutger Hauer
Mixing live actors with painted backdrops, this visually striking film from director Lech Majewski re-stages the action of "The Procession to Cavalry,... Read more
The Naked (2001)
7.6/10
Director: Witold Swietnicki
Starring: Anna Pudlowska, Barbara Gasior, Agnieszka Pasko, Irene Kolodziej, Waldemar Polte...
From Polish director Witold Swietnicki, and a cast of everyday people comes an unusual satire on the routine madnesses of everyday life. In an office... Read more
The Oak (1992)
8.2/10
Director: Lucian Pintilie
Starring: Maia Morgenstern, Razvan Vasilescu
A darkly humourous parable set in Romania 1988, just before the fall of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Young schoolteacher Nela (Maia Morgenstern) is abo... Read more