Could watch two films only recently (thanks to Youtube) and felt I have to share with all film enthusiasts. Z by Costa Gavras is an edge of the seat political thriller. What matters is that it’s a Director’s Film. It is slick and stylish and conveys a stark mood of corruption, depravity, cold-blooded harshness and falsehood. Amidst the layers of narrative significance that the movie portrays, one can identify unmissable parallels to incidents, situations and people in all forms of Government in the world. A must see for all those interested in the art of cinematic craft and also the metaphysical nature of a story which hinges on things real, imaginary, known and the unknown.
Roberto Rossellini’s film Rome – Open City is about the time during the second world war when Rome was under the occupation of the Nazis. A neo- realist film with a powerful portrayal by the actors, it is beautifully picturized and brings out the valiant struggle of the nameless men, women and children who gave up their life to liberate Rome from the clutches of the Fascist powers.
” It is easy to die a good death but it is not easy to live a good life” Also “ You wanted to take his soul, you have only taken his body” are the words of the priest who is a sympathiser for the cause. The film is totally grounded in the city . Having been filmed immediately after the liberation of Rome by the allies, the film captures the devastation of Rome caused by the occupying forces. Against the backdrop of the mighty and ruthless war machine of the Nazis, the courage of the foot soldiers is enthralling. Some of the scenes in the film are very powerful and recreate the atmosphere of the time. The shooting of the mother ( Pina) when she runs for her man (Francesco) who is arrested by the SS, and her lifeless body held by the priest. The power of a war machine can be physical but it cannot cow down the spirit of a city seems to be the message. A film which cannot be missed and is far superior to many Hollywood war films.