Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward," a far-reaching program of forced modernization intended to transform China into a socialist paradise, instead results in the greatest holocaust in human history — with a death toll of 45 million. Also listed as La grande famine de Mao. [ Mao's Great Famine credits: Dir: Patrick Cabouat, Philippe Grangereau/ 52 min/ Documentary, History/ … [Read more...]
Herod’s Law (1999)
An innocent janitor appointed mayor of a small Mexican town gradually succumbs to the temptations of power and is transformed into a small-time despot. Also listed as La ley de Herodes. [ Herod's Law credits: Dir: Luis Estrada/ 120 min/ Comedy/ Corrupt government, Power corrupts/ Mexico] External Reviews "The title of Herod's Law refers to a governing principle of … [Read more...]
Leviathan (2014)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM When the mayor of a Russian coastal town uses eminent domain to seize a home, the owner fights back--but he can't win against the corrupt and all-powerful Leviathan state. [ Leviathan credits: Dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev/ Aleksey Serebryakov, Elena Lyadova, Roman Madyanov/ 140 min/ Drama/ Eminent Domain, Corrupt … [Read more...]
Court (2014)
When an Indian folk singer is accused of singing lyrics that encouraged a young man to commit suicide, he is held for trial indefinitely in India's meandering court system. [ Court credits: Dir: Chaitanya Tamhane/ Usha Bane, Vivek Gomber, Pradeep Joshi/ 116 min/ Drama/ Law & Liberty, Incompetent Government] External Reviews "There are courtroom dramas, and then … [Read more...]
Dancing With Style (2012)
A fourteen-year-old boy pursues his love of ballroom dancing and classical music, despite bullying and peer pressure. [ Dancing With Style credits: Dir: Xander de Boer/ 17 min/ Documentary Short/ Individualism/ Netherlands] Note: the full film, "Dancing With Style," may be viewed online here. Dancing With Style is just a short 17-minute film, but it sums up in its few … [Read more...]
Going by the Book (2007)
A strictly honest by-the-book cop is told to act the role of bank robber in a public drill intended to enhance the prestige of a new police chief, but the publicity stunt backfires when the cop commits his "crime" with more effectiveness than anyone expected. [ Going by the Book credits: Dir: Hee-chan Ra/ Su-Jeong Eom, Jae-yeong Jeong, Jin-Mo Joo/ 102 min/ Comedy/ Corrupt … [Read more...]
The Lives of Others (2006)
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 "Compelling in its depiction … [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...]