Well, it's pretty difficult to say what is my favourite movie, because there are a lot that could perfectly be the special one. But, as the instructions command, I must choose, but it's not gonna be just one, only two: Last life in the universe (2003) by thai filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanaruang, and Trust (1990) by american Hal Hartley.
I must say that I like Hartley's filmography more than Ratanaruang's, and I can say that almost the whole filmography of Hartley is full of masterpieces, but these two films I chose for the post are absolutely beautiful and made me feel like the most lucky guy in the world, because the emotions in each one are real and you can almost touch them, breath them and feel them in your interior. If there's a feeling that rest in your spirit after watching these films, that would be desolation and, even if it sounds crazy, happiness.
Both films, one set in Bangkok and the other one in some city of USA, to say it quickly and easy, deals with lonely characters, people totally abandoned from others, wondering around the world with no one that can understand them: the most absolutely solitude: not only physical but also spiritual. But these loners meet one another and start an atypical relationship where doesn't really matters if it gets carnal, because the most important to them is not being completely alone again.
I like these films because they're both a pleasure, a joy, a delight for mind and spirit. And I completely agree with the pessimistic vision of Hartley, wich says that everything is horrible, just like the real world: your desires won't become real and, eventually, everything is destroyed. Ratanaruang is a little more optimistic, but his film also deals with the violence of others getting in the middle of honest and pure relationships. Both says the same thing: only a few people can live in the reality, cruel and honest as it is, and the rest of the world is an illusion.
Martin Donovan, Adrienne Shelly, Tadanobu Asano and Sinitta Boonyasak are perfect. Great films both of them.
Here is a video of the thai film. And here is a tribute to Hartley.
Here is a video of the thai film. And here is a tribute to Hartley.
Wow - what amazing taste you have in films - these are my exact SAME two favorite films. Both are absolute masterpieces.
ReplyDeleteTrust is perfect - it's simple yet incredibly effective in every frame. The performances are stunning throughout the cast but headed by a brilliantly odd couple in Martin Donovan and the late Adrienne Shelly.
Last Life is easily the most beautiful film ever shot. Every moment is a joy to behold.
I ranked them top two in my list of 60 greatest films:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46-fuBvFPEo