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.
Goodnight Mommy (2014)
6.7/10
Director: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
Starring: Susanne Wuest, Lukas Schwarz, Elias Schwarz, Hans Escher
In a lonesome house in the countryside in the heat of mid-summer, nine-year-old twin brothers await their mother's return from the hospital. When she... 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
East West East (2009)
7.3/10
Director: Gjergj Xhuvani
Starring: Noricim Xhepa, Gentian Hazizi, Helidon Fino
Albania, 1990: A former cycling champion is assigned by the government to assemble a team of five young cyclists to represent the country in an amateu... Read more
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (Blu-ray) (1975)
7.8/10
Director: Chantal Akerman
Starring: Delphine Seyrig
A lonely widowed housewife does her daily chores, takes care of her apartment where she lives with her teenage son, and turns the occasional trick to... Read more
Roman Polanski Collection: Knife in the Water / Repulsion / Cul-de-Sac (1962)
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Donald Pleasence, Francoise Dorleac, Ian Hendry, Jolanta Umec...
'Knife in the Water' (90 mins): An absorbing drama that grows out of the tensions created when a couple off for a sailing weekend pick up a student hi... Read more
Question in Details (2010)
7.3/10
Director: Zsombor Dyga
Starring: Ferenc Elek, Katya Tompos, Roland Raba
Eszti is in a park waiting for a date, where Zoli turns up to snatch a few quiet minutes for himself. It's all a misunderstanding, and the girl wants... Read more
A Short Film About Killing (1988)
8.1/10
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Starring: Jan Tesarz, Krzysztof Globisz, Miroslaw Baka
Kieslowski's title is accurate: a hideous murder is followed by a hideous execution. Expanded to feature-length by Kieslowski from his hour long "Deka... Read more
Dogs Don't Wear Pants (2019)
7.1/10
Director: Jukka-Pekka Valkeapaa
Starring: Krista Kosonen, Pekka Strang
Juha has lost his wife in a drowning accident. Years after he still feels numb and unable to connect with people. Meeting Mona, a dominatrix, changes... Read more
Underground (1995)
8.1/10
Director: Emir Kusturica
Starring: Miki Manojlovic, Lazar Ristovski, Mirjana Jokovic
This Palme d'Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival centres on Marko (Miki Manojlovic) and Blacky's (Lazar Ristovski) exploits through the war years to... Read more
Rembetiko (1983)
8.2/10
Director: Costas Ferris
Starring: Sotiria Leonardou, Nikos Kalogeropoulos, Michalis Maniatis, Themis Bazaka
A fictionalized biopic that uniquely chronicles the story of Greece from 1917 to 1956, as it overlaps it with the tragic personal story of Marika Nino... Read more