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.
Ashes and Diamonds (1958)
7.9/10
Director: Andrzej Wajda
Starring: Zbigniew Cybulski, Ewa Krzyzanowska
This brilliant statement illustrates the conflict of idealism and instinct in the story of a young resistance fighter who assassinates the wrong man a... Read more
Autumn Spring (2002)
7.6/10
Director: Vladimir Michalek
Starring: Vlastimil Brodsky, Stella Zazvorkova, Stanislav Zindulka, Ondrej Vetchy, Zita Ka...
Fanda (Vlastimil Brodsky) is an incurable prankster, even when faced with his own imminent death and a bemused and ungrateful family, Fanda wants to c... Read more
Mephisto (1981)
7.9/10
Director: Istvan Szabo
Starring: Klaus Maria Brandauer, Krystyna Janda
Istvan Szabo's powerful, Academy-Award winning film stars Klaus Maria Brandauer as an actor in pre-war Germany whose quest for success leads him to su... 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
Vodka Lemon (2003)
6.8/10
Director: Hiner Saleem
Starring: Romen Avinian, Lala Sarkissian
Kurdish filmmaker Hiner Saleem earned critical comparisons to Fellini, Kusturica, Iosseliani, and Kaurismaki with this breakout comedy. A whimsical, f... Read more
Hukkle (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Gyorgy Palfi
Starring: Ferenc Bandi, Jozsef Forkas, Jozsefne Racz, Ferenc Nagy, Ferencne Virag
In a world where everything exists to be eaten by something else, a small Hungarian village is the setting for this most original and genre-defying fi... Read more
Life is a Miracle (2004)
7.6/10
Director: Emir Kusturica
Starring: Slavko Stimac, Vesna Trivalic, Vuk Kostic, Natasa Solak, Stribor Kusturica
In 1992, war is brewing in Bosnia, but the city fathers in the town of Golobuci are going ahead with their plans to build a railroad they hope will br... Read more
The Turin Horse (2011)
7.8/10
Director: Bela Tarr
Starring: Janos Derzsi, Erika Bok, Mihaly Kormos, Ricsi
A film of long takes and few words, "The Turin Horse" is a mesmerising distillation of Tarr's cinema. It takes its cue from Nietzsche's famous encount... Read more
Lourdes (2009)
6.9/10
Director: Jessica Hausner
Starring: Elina Lowensohn, Bruno Todeschini, Lea Seydoux, Sylvie Testud
This subtly satiric, yet sometimes touching, examination of faith, desire, and religion stars Sylvie Testud as Christine, a woman suffering from multi... Read more
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