THE TREASURE *****
“Problems don’t descend from heaven; men make their own.”
Ring it in the New Year with this delightful Romanian comedy, about two neighbors engaged to find a treasure, supposedly buried on a remote island where many battles of war had taken place. A hit at last year’s Cannes and NY Film Festival, Corneliu Porumboiu’s heart-warming tale of solidarity is a 5-star modern take on the ‘Robin Hood-type’. A devoted father, Costa is challenged by his neighbor, when he knocks soliciting help. Desperate to pay his mortgage debts, he’s seeking a loan, but Costa is in a tight situation and cannot provide. He persuades him to raise money and hire a technician to help them dig a treasure a family member had spoken about it. Risking everything, they will go ahead and give the circumstances a chance to change their financial status. Filled with irreverent dialogs that examine the cruel rules of capitalism in our society, Porumboiu’s masterpiece is a compassionate story of valuable men who defy their economical crisis to preserve the importance of loyalty, friendship and family standards. Now, that’s a way to start 2016: spreading the joy. Don’t miss it!
LAMB ***
Two lonely souls are gathered by destiny’s force in Ross Partridge’s ambiguous drama. Oona Laurence delivers a moving performance as the rebellious 10-year-old girl suffering with her family’s lack of supportive love. Playing with her friends, she approaches a stranger inquiring for a smoke, which leads them to a subtle connection. Lamb (played by Partridge) is a man torn by the grieving of his father’s death and his recent breakup. As they increasingly become deeply involved as a mutual process of healing, they go on a road trip that will risk their present conditions and challenge their future. Patridge conducts the material with tenderness and efficient immediacy on the issues and troubles of identity. It’s a comprehensive and melancholic look on the gap between generations. (Opens Friday in NYC and LA)
NEW LATIN FILMS IN NEW YORK
The Latin Film showcase “Neighboring Scenes” takes place January 7-10 at Film Society of Lincoln Center, co-presented by Cinema Tropical, presenting some great and vibrant examples of the new Latin-American cinematic voices. Brazilian drama “HOPEFULS” portraits the anxieties and aspirations of three teens, “The Club” is the polemic Chilean film about sexual abuse, the sunny and poetic atmosphere of Dominga Sotomayor’s “Mar”, the surrealistic structure of the military journey “El Movimiento” and the inspiring process of solo-creativity “Alexfilm” by Mexican Biologist-turned-filmmaker Pablo Chavarria Gutiérrez, are among the selection of fine and enthusiastic films. Directors in Attendance!
THIS WEEK’S DVD
“SICARIO” brings phenomenal performances by Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro, as two agents battling the drug cartel in Mexico. They both provide exciting and explosive moments in this action-packed and smart look on terrorism and political corruption. Oscar worthy!
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