Mal Dia Para Pescar (Bad Day To Go Fishing) - Alvaro Brechner (2009 Spain)

Jacob van Oppen, the former strongest man on earth, and his manager Orsini, who calls himself "the Prince", make a good living by traveling around small South American towns and organizing wrestling exhibitions. Arriving in Santa Maria, they are met with uncommon enthusiasm, the local newspaper wants to sponsor the fight, helping hands placard the town with posters, and an open call is made for a worthy adversary. Ever so resourceful, Orsini knows how to find the right combatant, but fishing in Santa Maria could lead to a bigger catch than he'd hoped for.


Most likely Spain's entry into the next Academy awards. This is a really well-crafted, designed and beautifully shot tale of an aging former wresting champion and his sleazy manager on the hustle through small country towns. It's also the fable about biting off more than you can chew. A little bit Cohen Bros, with a slightly darker, heavier heart. Different enough from 'the wrestler' to avoid comparisons.

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La Doppia Ora (The Double Hour) - Giuseppe Capotondi (2009 Italy)

A spark between a newly-met couple is snuffed out tragically


Excellent new Italian Psychological/mystery/crime thriller with a dash of the paranormal. For a first feature this film is staggeringly impressive. Stunning lead actress Kseniya Rappoport took out the Volpi Cup for best actress at Venice last year and you can see why. Best mystery I've seen in a long while. Sound design is superb with music from Godspeed and A Silver Mt Zion.

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Kynodontas (Dogtooth) - Giorgos Lanthimos (2009 Greece)

Three teenagers are confined to an isolated country estate that could very well be on another planet. The trio spend their days listening to endless homemade tapes that teach them a whole new vocabulary. Any word that comes from beyond their family abode is instantly assigned a new meaning. Hence 'the sea' refers to a large armchair and 'zombies' are little yellow flowers.

Beautifully demented social commentary here. Dark as the night in places too. Lanthimos coming from a commercials background really knows how to hone his storytelling and the visual imagery is mesmerising. More un-simulated sex here too.

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Die Fremde (When We Leave) - Feo Aladag (2010 Germany)

Umay is a young woman of Turkish descent, fighting for an independent and self-determined life in Germany against the resistance of her family. Her struggle initiates a dynamic, which results in a life-threatening situation.


HEAVY drama centering on a young Turkish woman who flees her abusive husband and heads to Germany where her family is unwilling to shelter her for the shame she has brought the family name by leaving. Some really tricky territory here and the Turkish male stereotype gets a heavy examination. Bleak, Heavy, Depressing, perfectly shot and with an excellent piano based score.

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Kak ya provyol etim letom (How I Ended This Summer) - Aleksei Popogrebsky (2010 Russia)

A polar station on a desolate island in the Arctic Ocean. Sergei, a seasoned meteorologist, and Pavel, a recent college graduate, are spending months in complete isolation on the once strategic research base. Pavel receives an important radio message and is still trying to find the right moment to tell Sergei, when fear, lies and suspicions start poisoning the atmosphere..


Quite a good, slow-paced, psychological thriller; a kind of Russian 'Moon' set on a meteorological station in the bleak and desolate Arctic circle. The story focuses on two men alone for months and the madness constantly on the creep. Impeccable cinematography. Location, location, location.

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Kiskanmak (Envy) - Zeki Demirkubuz (2009 Turkey)

Seniha lives the life of a recluse with her brother Halit and his beautiful wife Mükerrem. When Nüzhet, the handsome son of the richest family in town, sets his eyes on the married Mükerrem, she is at first disgusted with Nüzhet's overt sexual innuendo. However, it isn't long before Mükerrem yields to her lust and thus they embark on an affair. Torn between a fantasy life she could never live and the honour of her brother, Seniha must decide which side to take. Seniha has no idea what the consequences will be and how cruelly her destiny will change.

Extremely dark and claustrophobic tale from Turkish Auteur Zeki Demirkubuz. This one deals with pride, jealousy, desire and honour. A period piece that highlights the inequality between the sexes, rich and poor, those blessed with good looks and those less fortunate. It does all this without a heavy hand. Shot on HD and finished on 35mm the cinematography is of the same high calibre we've come to expect from Turkish cinema.
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Alle Anderen (Everyone Else) - Maren Ade (2009 Germany)

While on a Mediterranean vacation, a seemingly happy husband and wife find their connection to one another tested as they bond with another couple.


Here we have an interesting little window into the very private struggles of a budding architect, his music-industry wife and the lengths to which he is willing to push her aside to further his career. I found the characters believable and often painful at times to watch; their behaviour towards one another at times appalling. Set against the stunning backdrop of Sardinia, every frame breaths carefree summer and wild birds dominate the soundscape.

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