Bridport Film Society
World cinema on your doorstepFilm Archive from the 2016-2017 Season
The 2016-17 Season of the Bridport Film Society featured 12 films from around the globe.
Victoria
closeThe film’s unique claim is that 138 minutes are shot in one fluid, continuous take, without a single cut. But beyond that technical brilliance Victoria pulls the audience into a gripping drama that builds to reckless criminality. At the end of the film it is hard to decide how much of the actors’ utter exhaustion is performance and how much is genuine.
Certificate 15
Directed by Sebastian Schipper
Germany 2015
138 mins / English and German with English subtitles
The Look of Silence
closeUndoubtedly a harrowing documentary, but beautiful and philosophical compared to Oppenheimer’s previous, brutal exposé of state-sanctioned genocide of ethnic Chinese in 1965 Indonesia. It explores issues of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation in the face of official cover-up. His interviewing technique is particularly striking and effective.
Certificate 15 (Graphic descriptions of killing and torture)
Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer
Indonesia 2014
98 mins / Indonesian with English subtitles
Tangerines
closeSet in 1992, during the growing conflict between Georgia and Abkhazian separatists, two Estonian immigrant farmers decide to remain in Georgia long enough to harvest their tangerine crop. When the war comes to their doorsteps, Ivo takes in two wounded soldiers from opposite sides. The fighters vow to kill each other when they recover. But their extended period of recovery has a humanising effect that might transcend ethnic divides.
Certificate 15 (Strong language, some violence)
Directed by Zaza Urushadze
Ukraine 2015
97 mins / Georgian, Russian, & Estonian with English subtitles
The Edge of Heaven
closeThe film, switching back and forth between Germany and Turkey, is a drama about redemption. It explores topics as varied as the tensions that accompany multiculturalism and globalization to the simpler human drama of how individuals cope with losses for which they bear a portion of the responsibility. By focusing on believable characters and not making the storyline too convoluted Fatih Akin weaves a compelling tale.
Certificate 15
Directed by Fatih Akin
Germany 2015
116 mins / Turkish and German with English subtitles
The Connection
closeThis stylish, 70’s-period crime thriller is the European flipside to The French Connection. A dedicated magistrate, Michel, crusades to dismantle the most notorious drug smuggling operation in history. “Le French” always seems one step ahead and Michel is forced to make the most difficult decision of his life.
Certificate 15 (Some strong violence, drug content and language)
Directed by Cedrid Jimenez
France 2014
135 mins (Note length of film) / French with English subtitles
Palio
closeA new champion jockey emerges. To the uninitiated, Siena’s Palio is just a mad horse race in fancy dress for tourism. But if you liked “Being A.P.” you’ll also love this documentary for its intrigue, frenzied passion and the spectacular close-up footage of the famous bareback horse race, particularly thrilling viewed on the big screen.
Certificate 12 (Moderate violence & injuries)
Directed by Cosima Spender
Italy 2015
88 mins / Italian with English subtitles
The Brand New Testament
closeGod lives in a drab flat in modern-day Brussels. Petty and vindictive, He lives with his docile wife and their children, perceptive 10-year-old daughter Ea and son “JC”, who together form a plan to acquire six new disciples and create a brand new testament. Their random disciples’ stories range from the silly to the genuinely touching. An entertaining religious satire, with room for humanity and optimism.
Certificate 15
Directed by Jaco Van Dormaell
Belgium 2015
113 mins / French with English subtitles
My Nazi Legacy
closeAn outstanding depiction of history and resulting guilt from human rights lawyer Philip Sands, who confronts two elderly sons of prominent officials in Nazi Germany in face-to-face interviews. One has come to terms with his father’s actions; the other is unreservedly supportive of his father’s innocence, despite glaring evidence to the contrary.
Certificate PG
Directed by David Evans
UK 2015
96 mins / English
Loreak/Flowers
closeAne’s life turns around when, week after week, she receives a bunch of flowers at home. Always at the same time and always without a senders note. The camerawork’s spare visuals are complemented by the production design’s earth tones, adding to a sense of interiority, the kind associated with rainy days that go on for weeks. First Basque film to be submitted by Spain to Oscars
Certificate 15
Directed by Jon Garano & Jose Mari Goenaga
Spain 2014
99 mins / Basque with English subtitles
The Dance of Reality
closeAn adaptation of this 80-year-old director’s quasi-autobiographical novel. The story of his youth and coming of age in 1930’s Chile is portrayed in a surreal way with Freudian nuances. He struggles with suffering isolation, and from the hypocrisy of politics and religion while revelling in the sublime circus of his imagined environment.
Certificate 18 (Some nudity & scenes of disgusting nature & torture)
Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky
Chile / France 2014
131 mins / Spanish with English subtitles
Difret
close14 year old Ethiopian Hirut is abducted in her rural village’s tradition of kidnapping women for marriage. She fights back with shattering consequences, resulting in a courtroom battle. Doggedly fighting for her is her emancipated lawyer. Scenes of the stunning countryside are interspersed with the multi-layered showcasing of the clash between deep-seated cultural traditions and women’s rights.
Certificate 12 (Contains some violent and sexual scenes)
Directed by Zerensenay Berhane Mehari
Ethiopia 2014
96 mins / Amharic with English subtitles
Tehran Taxi
closeA documentary-like film set in a Tehran taxi driven inexpertly by Panahi, the acclaimed film director. His eclectic mix of passengers confide candidly in him. Banned from filmmaking for 20 years, Panahi says, ”nothing can prevent me from making films - despite limitations, the necessity to create becomes even more of an urge”.
Certificate 12
Directed by Safar Panahi
Iran 2015
82 mins / Farsi with English subtitles
Seasons Ratings for 2016 / 2017
Following every film screening our audience are asked for their reaction to each film, helping us with our selection process for the following year.
Listed here are the audience reactions for our 2016 / 2017 film season.
Research our films
We recommend the following resources:
IMDb
For cast lists, production details and further background.
Rotten Tomatoes
For critical reviews and comment.