Papirosen

Argentina 2011

Details pragda

Seen 5 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.6/10

My ratings 7.0/10

The life of a Jewish immigrant family in Argentina.

My impressions:

An escape from the past

Which is still ever present

Unknowingly, unconsciously in the background

Always there

As a reminder

Of a time

That is hard to forget

Especially for those

Witnesses during that period of their lives

The new generation

With their own concerns

Problems and struggles

Might be able to break free

From the past but

Certainly are rushing headlong

Into new territory

On their own terms

The past will always be there

As a reminder

For the present, and future

It's the earth not the moon (É na Terra não é na Lua)

Portugal 2011

Details Rotten Tomatoes

Seen 5 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 7.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 6.6/10

My ratings 7.0/10

A documentary of an isolated island and its inhabitants.

My impressions:

Pristine, that is the first impression

Idyllic, bucolic

A small island

A small population

Everyone knows each other

Outsiders come and

Some stay

For reasons of their own

Finding that peace and solace

They were searching

But others want to leave

As the island is not

Big enough, challenging enough

An island isolated

The presence of man, alas

Has changed its character

Fortunately, not too much

At the moment

But we are not sure of the future

You are all captains (Todos vós sodes capitáns)

Spain 2010

Details zeitunfilms

Seen 4 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 6.9/10

My ratings 6.5/10

A European film director and his experience in a film making project with children from a social center in Tangiers.

My impressions:

Children, what do they know?

Or do they know more than us, the adults

A child

Sees with a different outlook

Reacts differently

To assume, to expect

A child to be in your mould

To follow diligently

Might be putting too much hope

A burden on the child's shoulders

He will disagree

He has his own ways

He has his own mind

Thinking, wondering

It might not be pleasant

To adults who are used to

Rules and regulations

A child is different definitely

She, a Chinese

UK 2009

Details impawards

Seen 3 November 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 5.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 5.7/10

My ratings 6.0/10

The journey of a girl from China to the West.

My impressions:

How does one reconcile

Life experiences

With expectations

Such glaring differences

Ordinary lives

Are special in their own way

Tiny moments of joy

Tinges of colour, wind swept vistas

In contrast

Hardships, struggles

Another journey

Leading to another destination

Such a long hard road

It was a decision made in the past

The present has to be faced

What come may

Paradise: Hope

Austria 2013

Details cine-vue

Seen 31 October 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 7.2/10

 

My ratings 7.0/10

First love during the summer holidays.

My impressions:

Feelings for an older person

Quite common

Persistence in its pursuit

Is also acceptable

The consequences

The journey of discovery

Of who you are

Of where you're going

Of those you can depend on

Of those you love and care

At such a young age

Love has no equal

That feeling

Occurs again later in life

Perhaps repeatedly

But the first is always

The one that will remembered

Forever

Paradise: Faith

Austria 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 29 October 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 6.4/10

My ratings 6.5/10

A woman finds solace in her faith but someone from the past upsets the equilibrium.

My impressions:

Faith, an intangible entity

So soothing, calming, reassuring

Others should bask in its warm glow too

Thus a routine, an effort

Spreading the word to others

Is forged, followed

Diligent, persistent

Overcoming any obstacles

But the past catches up

Puts a dampener

So many tests

So many rejections

Is this all part of a bigger plan

As believers of a glorious end

Thorns, sharp and wily

Strewn along the path

Are they mere irritations

A divergence from the true direction

Tokyo Story

Japan 1953

Details IMDB

Seen 26 October 2013

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 8.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 9.7/10

My ratings 8.0/10

Parents and children, how they treat each other.

My impressions:

Parents, children, grandchildren

The scheme of family life

How it is developed, and where will it end

The love and care in bringing up your children

Do we expect returns

Would we just be glad

And thankful

That they have managed

To stand on their own

They might not be the success

We envisaged

But we are proud of their achievements nevertheless

Of course we should not make comparisons

As that would be a never ending

Regret