A T-Dog Tale...

Just when I was about to take my blanket and go hide until some good films decided to come along in 2007, Sunshine decided to come along and rescue me. For a brief while, I was happy. Things looked brighter. But - I could not have foreseen what was to come. In one week. 2 great films. Neither relied on CGI, neither had big fights, or a single popcorn moment. These films wont do very at the box office. But one is an Oscar winner - and the other currently sits atop of Chris Curtis's films of the year. Big praise indeed.

So in one excellent week of film, I had the pleasure of viewing 'The Lives of Others' and 'Ghosts.' I won't bore you of my review of 'Ghosts' - you can find that on Chris's blog here.

But - I will give a few brief thoughts on the 'Lives of Others' Winner of best Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the German movie

"The Lives of Others" begins in 1984 (five years before the Berlin Wall came down) when the secret police, or Stasi, rule the roost, and control freedom of speech.

To watch "Lives of Others" is not just to enjoy a fabulously constructed timepiece; it's to appreciate a deft cautionary tale. Writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's (and what a name!) extraordinary feature debut offers lessons about the danger of societies in which governments are given free rein to monitor their citizens and Internet users voluntarily post their most intimate details on the Web. Hmmm, although set before the fall of the Berlin wall, I would say that his film is downright contemporary.

It's so good to actually watch a film with the story as the driving force behind it, and one where the audience finds themselves swept away into a story of fragile, real and human characters. The 'Lives of Others' is a jarring, creepy, often funny and frightening portrait of life in a country where "government informer" was one of the only dependable career options. Emotionally moving, beautifully acted and written, this is film making how it should be done. (Sorry Mr Achilleas)

See this if you liked: Downfall, The Conversation
Highlight: Beethoven has the power to change peoples views on society...
Lowlight: Does it have to end?
Your film companion should be: Someone who likes film, who likes a good story. Or your Mother
Waderiffic Stars: 5/5

Posted by Tom Wade at 2:03 PM