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Reviews
Amadeo (2023)
A masterpiece of filmmaking
I am not usually impressed by film portrayals of artists. I found extremely disappointing the way geniuses such as Frida Kahlo, Turner and Van Gogh have been crudely portrayed in cinema. Films usually portray them as being mentally ill or shallow - when in fact they were the bleeding edge of human thinking.
Amadeo lies somewhere between these extremes. Although the film glamorised Amadeo's rich background, it did it with class. The sets, choices of clothes by Joana Cardoso, and props are incredible. The photography by Rui Poças is one of the best you'll see in any film, at any time in history. The direction by Vicente Alves do Ó is flawless.
I would like to stress that this film was under the attack of several "critics" in Portugal. These so called critics never produced anything even remotely remarkable. This film is a thing of beauty and should've been better lauded.
Slunce, seno a pár facek (1989)
Hilarious and surrealist at times
Czech films are incredibly unknown outside Czech Republic. I have been lucky to have seen several classics. I found the comedies particularly hilarious, quite different to British humor yet equally effective. The main actor is particularly expressive, with her quick reactions and energetic persona.
It's quite amazing that everything was filmed in a very small house, apparently. I cannot wait to visit the place if I go again to Czech Republic. These films are all masterpieces and the public needs to enjoy again good acting, no special effects, real people, real settings, simple photography and a great story.
O Labirinto da Saudade (2018)
Beautiful cinematography by Leandro Fuzeta
The film itself is quite interesting, as Eduardo Lourenço is a world-class philosopher. His depiction of himself by himself is an interesting biography. The settings are stunning, especially the scenes filmed in Buçaco.
Yet it was the cinematography and photography by Leandro Fuzeta that took my breath away. I consider him to be a young master, an emerging talent. This film shows what can be done with enough creativity and aesthetic sensitivity. I will be waiting for his upcoming films, painfully aware that the current industry does not reward sophisticated poetic vision. Alas! That's why we need the likes of Lee Fuzeta even more.
Os Verdes Anos (1963)
Visual splendor + Carlos Paredes soundtrack
You mustn't miss "Verdes Anos" performed by legendary Portuguese guitarist Carlos Paredes. The sounds will express way better the intent of this film than my words could. There is a mystery that needs to be fully accepted if you are going to enjoy this film.
I quite like the vague, blurred sense of the characters. I disagree with some of the other reviewers, as I think that we don't always need clear psychological traits and intentions: after all, life is just as hard to pin as the people in this film. There will be a lot of melancholy and time warps. Lisbon is delightfully colourful, but in this film it is austere.
Tini zabutykh predkiv (1965)
A masterpiece - unmatched by anything done nowadays
Since I'm a teenager that I quickly became aware of the decay in contemporary film, as well as in many other arts. It's no surprise: materialistic cultures value more expensive special effects than they value poetic genius. This filmmaker is the latter.
At least one of his films should have been compulsory at uni, so we all wake up to what great art really is. Don't expect celebrities, expensive props, glittery ambiance, predictable storytelling. What you will face is a time warp, where things seems to blur into a spiritual realm. It contains some of the most haunting scenes in the whole history of cinema. The photography is unmatched. Just sit down and let yourself be hypnotised.