My top 10 films seen/made in 2016
My best 10 films are based on the evaluation of direction, screenplay, acting, cinematography, and editing. The films that narrowly missed out being included here are Paul Verhoeven's "Elle" (2016) (France/Germany); the lovely Egyptian film "Clash" (2016), which opened Cannes' Un Certain Regarde section; Alex Garland's "Ex Machina" (2015)(UK); Andrzej Wajda's swansong "Afterimage" (2016); Cristi Puiu's "Sieranevada"(2016) (Romania); Thomas Vinterberg's "The Commune" (2016) (Denmark); and Kim Ki Duk's "The Net" (2016) (South Korea).
The list is in order of quality as perceived by me. Five of the top 10 films are from European countries. Two are from Iran.
The list is in order of quality as perceived by me. Five of the top 10 films are from European countries. Two are from Iran.
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1.
I, Daniel Blake
(2016)
A middle aged carpenter who requires state welfare after injuring himself, is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario. (100 mins.)
Director: Ken Loach
“ A brilliant outcome of the long-term collaboration of director Ken Loach and screenplay-writer Peter Laverty. It deservedly won the Cannes' top honour--the Golden Palm. and audience awards at Locarno, San Sebastian, Stockholm and Vancouver film festivals. My full review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.in/2017/01/200-british-director-ken-loachs-film-i.html ” - JuguAbraham
2.
Paradise
(2016)
Follows three people whose paths cross during a terrible time of war: Olga, a Russian aristocratic emigrant and member of the French Resistance; Jules, a French collaborator; and Helmut, a high-ranking German SS officer. (130 mins.)
Director: Andrey Konchalovskiy
“ There have been many films on the Nazi concentration camp horrors but this film is the most sophisticated take on the subject. Konchalovsky never ceases to surprise the viewer with new cinematic flourishes. Deservedly won the Best Director award at the Venice film festival. My full review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.in/2016/12/199-russian-director-andrei.html ” - JuguAbraham
3.
Daughter
(2016)
A young girl leaves her hometown in south of Iran for a half day trip without permission of his strict father to attend a close friend's goodbye party. In her way back home hazy weather changes all she planned. (103 mins.)
Director: Reza Mirkarimi
“ An amazing film from Iran on how a well-meaning father is protective of his daughter in a male-dominated world. Winner of the Golden Peacock at the International Film Festival of India at Goa, and Best Actor award at the Moscow International Film Festival. ” - JuguAbraham
4.
On the Milky Road
(2016)
A story that stretches across war, blossoming love and living as a recluse. (125 mins.)
Director: Emir Kusturica
“ When comedy, surrealism, fantasy, and real events combine you get such marvelous entertainment. Winner of the Little Golden Lion at the Venice Film festival. With the beautiful Monica Bellucci looking as gorgeous at ever. ” - JuguAbraham
5.
Glory
(2016)
A reclusive railway worker in Bulgaria finds millions in cash spilled on the tracks and turns them in to the police... (101 mins.)
Director: Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov
“ Every chord rings true in this brilliant Bulgarian film. The end might not arguably appeal to some. Winner of the highest honor at Kolkatta International Film Festival and Hamptons Film Festival (USA) ” - JuguAbraham
6.
Graduation
(2016)
A film about compromises and the implications of the parent's role. (128 mins.)
Director: Cristian Mungiu
“ Like Iran's "Daughter" mentioned earlier on this list, this is Romania's take on the protective father and his daughter relationship. Here the daughter is more emancipated. Yet another brilliant work of director Cristian Mungiu, who gave us "Beyond the Hills" (2012). "Graduation" won the Best Director award at the Cannes film festival, the awards for Best Screenplay and Actor at the Chicago Film festival, and the critics' award at the Hamburg film festival ” - JuguAbraham
7.
It's Only the End of the World
(2016)
Louis (Gaspard Ulliel), a terminally ill writer, returns home after a long absence to tell his family that he is dying. (97 mins.)
Director: Xavier Dolan
“ 27 year old Xavier Dolan, the director, is amazing. This is my first Dolan film. Absolutely stunning. Winner of the Grand Jury and the Ecumenical Jury prizes at the Cannes film festival. A great screenplay and great acting ensemble. And what an unforgettable end-sequence! ” - JuguAbraham
8.
The Salesman
(2016)
Forushande (The Salesman) is the story of a couple whose relationship begins to turn sour during their performance of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. (125 mins.)
Director: Asghar Farhadi
“ The last four Farhadi films have been stunning. Iran proves it can make entertaining cinema without on-screen sex and nudity yet again. It won the Best Actor and Best Screenplay awards at the Cannes film festival, the Special Jury Prize at the Chicago film festival, the audience award at the Mumbai international film festival, and the best film award at the Munich and the Valladolid film festivals. ” - JuguAbraham
9.
Knight of Cups
(2015)
A writer indulging in all that Los Angeles and Las Vegas has to offer undertakes a search for love and self via a series of adventures with six different women. (118 mins.)
Director: Terrence Malick
“ A personal and intense theological statement pushing the envelope of theism. Malick ought to have won the best director award at the Berlin film festival, 2015. My detailed review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.in/2016/10/197-us-director-terrence-malicks-knight.html ” - JuguAbraham
10.
Neruda
(2016)
An inspector hunts down Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, who becomes a fugitive in his home country in the late 1940s for joining the Communist Party. (107 mins.)
Director: Pablo Larraín
“ Director Pablo Larrain is on a roll--"The Club," "Jackie," and "Neruda." "Neruda" is wonderful as it combines history, literature and comedy in a unique manner. ” - JuguAbraham
company.