An East German Stasi agent becomes obsessed with the lives of a young couple he has been assigned to surveil. [ The Lives of Others credits: Dir: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck/ 137 min/ Drama, Thriller, Foreign/ Anti-socialism, Search & Seizure/ German] External Reviews "The Lives of Others is that rare thing: a best foreign language Oscar-winner that fully … [Read more...]
Sophie Scholl the Final Days (2005)
A dramatized account of the capture, trial and last days of Sophie Scholl, who together with her brother Hans and a few friends, operated within Hitler's Germany an anti-Nazi movement called The White Rose. [ Sophie Scholl the Final Days credits: Dir: Marc Rothemund/ 120 min/ Biography, Drama, Foreign/ Resistance to tyranny] External Reviews of Sophie Scholl the Final … [Read more...]
The Tunnel (2001)
After successfully escaping from East Germany, a young man constructing a tunnel to help his sister to get out finds that many more want to bolt to freedom as well. Based on a true story. [ The Tunnel credits: Dir: Roland Suso Richter/ Heino Ferch, Nicolette Krebitz, Sebastian Koch/ 150min/ Thriller, Action-Adventure, Foreign/ Escape from socialism] How to See It Amazon … [Read more...]
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Indian villagers take on British colonial troops in a high stakes game of cricket, the outcome of which will determine whether their village taxes (lagaan) will be raised to crushing levels or eliminated altogether. [ Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India credits: Dir: Ashutosh Gowariker/ Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley/ 224min/ Musical/ Anti-Taxation/ Indian/ Hindi with … [Read more...]
Das Experiment (2001)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN FILMS A psychological experiment in which test subjects are divided into "prisoners" and "guards" spins out of control when the "guards" take their authority a little too seriously. [ Das Experiment credits: Dir: Oliver Hirschbiegel / Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Berkel, Justus von Dohnanyi / 120min/ Drama, Thriller, Foreign Language/ In German with … [Read more...]
East-West (1999)
A naive Russian émigré and his family repatriate to post-WWII Soviet Union, only to discover, too late, the full truth about life under socialism. [ East-West credits: Dir: Regis Wargnier/ Sandrine Bonnaire, Oleg Menchikov, Catherine Deneuve/ 120min/ Drama, Foreign Language/ France/ In French with English subtitles/ Escape from Socialism, Democide/ a.k.a. Est - … [Read more...]
Bitter Sugar (1996)
A Cuban family is torn apart by socialist lies and repression. Story inspired by actual events. [ Bitter Sugar credits: Dir: Leon Ichaso/ Rene Lavan, Mayte Vilan, Miguel Gutierrez/ 102 min/ Romance, Drama, Foreign Language/ Cuba, USA/ In Spanish with English subtitles/ Escape from Socialism, Anti-Socialism] At this time of worldwide retreat from socialism, it’s easy to … [Read more...]
The Promise (1994)
The lives of two people are destroyed by the Berlin Wall and by their own weakness in the face of it. [ The Promise credits: Dir: Margarethe Von Trotta/ Meret Becker, Corinna Harfouch, Anian Zollner, August Zirner/ 115 min/ Drama, Foreign Language/ Germany/ In German with English subtitles/ Escape from Socialism] This German-made story about the Berlin Wall reflects the … [Read more...]
L.627 (1992)
A dedicated French drug enforcement agent fights a hopeless battle to win the “War on Drugs.” [ L.627 credits: Dir: Bertrand Tavernier/ Didier Bezace, Jean-Paul Comart, Charlotte Kady/ 145 min/ Drama, Foreign Language/ France/ In French with English subtitles/ Legalize Drugs, Working for Government] Apparently the futile and counterproductive nature of the “War on Drugs” … [Read more...]
Luna Park (1992)
An anti-Semitic Russian gang member learns that his father may have been Jewish. [ Luna Park credits: Dir: Pavel Lounguine/ Oleg Borisov, Andrei Goutine, Natalia Egorova/ 105 min/ Drama, Foreign Language/ Russia/ In Russian with English subtitles/ Social Tolerance] For many blue-collar Russians, the demise of the Soviet empire brought not tangible benefits, but simply … [Read more...]