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Foreign Film Discussion Group?

post #1 of 68
3/15/09 at 12:12pm
Thread Starter 
Kind of stealing this idea from the "Films in Release..." forum, but I think this place could use a little injection of conversation, as it's kind of sad just seeing one or two posts about movies I haven't seen yet.

I think something like a monthly discussion of one scheduled foreign film would be sufficient, not to mention possibly enlightening. Also, this would be a good chance for us to steer each other towards good foreign cinema. And hell, we can have some fun with this, too. It doesn't have to be all Kurosawa and Antonioni.

Unless this has already been tried and failed miserably.

Thoughts?
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post #2 of 68
3/15/09 at 9:29pm
Obviously count me in, but I'd like to see some other people who know their stuff get in on this.
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post #3 of 68
3/15/09 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Well, since you seem to be the CHUD foreign cinema guru, I'd think it would only be fair if you pick the first film that would be considered for discussion. I am just beginning to dabble in foreign cinema myself, so I have no idea where to begin with something like this.

How many people even click on the Foreign Films link, anyway? It might be hard to really drum up sufficient interest. If all else fails, it can always be a two man show at first, and we could hope for an 'if you build it, they will come" kind of thing...

But yeah, I think we have a chance to dig deep into some of the stuff out there, especially on these boards. I'd love to go for it.

Is anyone else interested?
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post #4 of 68
3/16/09 at 1:13am
I'm up for it.
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post #5 of 68
3/16/09 at 1:21am
This may be an odd, or great, suggestion, but you may have more luck with the thread if you pick a country for the month, as opposed to a certain film. It might sound silly, but similar threads have died horrible deaths for American flicks, so I don't see it working too well otherwise.

But yeah, I'm in as much as a man without Netflix can be.
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post #6 of 68
3/16/09 at 2:04am
I'm up for a country, what does everyone prefer? I was thinking maybe Brazil or Argentina, and choose something rather well known to begin with. I was already planning on re-watching El Aura tomorrow, and that is a fairly well known/appealing film from Argentina. Check it on IMDB if you want. I just want to have whatever it is we decide on be I guess well known enough that I'm not the only one making an opinion on it.
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post #7 of 68
3/16/09 at 5:39am
This sounds like an intriguing idea. Especially with people like Tarkovsky et al that know their shit on board. I guess you can count me in on this as well. Though it could get problematic to get the logistics straight on this mission. I reckon as long as we can agree on a movie that one can hunt down this could work. Or not judging by the number of responses to foreign film threads.
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post #8 of 68
3/16/09 at 10:18am
I was thinking we could go with either Italy or France. I think they have enough well known classic films that should generate some good discussion.
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post #9 of 68
3/16/09 at 4:44pm
Italy would be good with me. Anyone else, opinions?
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post #10 of 68
3/16/09 at 10:57pm
Thread Starter 
France or Italy are fine with me. I've started to try and bone up on my French recently (I have lost a LOT of it), so watching a French film could be like multitasking for me...

The only truly Italian films I've seen are The Bicycle Thief and L'Aventurra. I don't think that Blow Up or Spaghetti Westerns really count. That being the case, I don't know that I can really offer a sound opinion on whether or not we should start with Italy. All I know is that Antonioni is alright with me.

I guess the question is whether we go art house (my inclination) or not. Lord knows that both countries have lots of worthy contenders in both the arty and popular fronts.
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post #11 of 68
3/16/09 at 11:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarkovsky View Post
I'm up for a country, what does everyone prefer? I was thinking maybe Brazil or Argentina, and choose something rather well known to begin with. I was already planning on re-watching El Aura tomorrow, and that is a fairly well known/appealing film from Argentina. Check it on IMDB if you want. I just want to have whatever it is we decide on be I guess well known enough that I'm not the only one making an opinion on it.
IF i ever get to pick on the chud film of the month club, i was going to go with El Aura.
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post #12 of 68
3/16/09 at 11:20pm
Let me know what comes of this. I'm interested.
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post #13 of 68
3/17/09 at 12:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FutekiNa, Irate Pirate View Post
France or Italy are fine with me. I've started to try and bone up on my French recently (I have lost a LOT of it), so watching a French film could be like multitasking for me...

The only truly Italian films I've seen are The Bicycle Thief and L'Aventurra. I don't think that Blow Up or Spaghetti Westerns really count. That being the case, I don't know that I can really offer a sound opinion on whether or not we should start with Italy. All I know is that Antonioni is alright with me.

I guess the question is whether we go art house (my inclination) or not. Lord knows that both countries have lots of worthy contenders in both the arty and popular fronts.
I know my way around Italian cinema, more or less. I'd be willing to pick something that would be easy to find and enjoyable for just about everyone. French is a different story. I know Godard, Tati, Chabrol and Truffaut to an extent, but outside of the new wave and a couple Malle and Renoir films I'm basically useless.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tati View Post
IF i ever get to pick on the chud film of the month club, i was going to go with El Aura.
I was going to make a topic about it in here, but after three viewings I am still trying to get my head around it, and have questions. I would not discourage you from making a discussion on it...
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post #14 of 68
3/17/09 at 12:15am
I have to watch it again before being able to do so! I only saw it once and never had the chance again.
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post #15 of 68
3/17/09 at 12:25am
So, when are we going to decide on flicks? Does someone need to post some possible titles to spring off of?
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post #16 of 68
3/17/09 at 1:01am
If Italy is decided, then anyone can basically post potential titles. I want to know if everyone here is interested in earlier Italian cinema, beginning with neo-realism, going through Fellini, Visconti, etc, or if they're interested in something more modern. Opinions, please...
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post #17 of 68
3/17/09 at 1:26am
Europa '51.


I've got a real hair up my ass about revisiting that film.
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post #18 of 68
3/17/09 at 6:05am
I've been meaning to see that too, so that would be okay with me, just depends on what everyone else thinks. Might want to start with something a little bit more known so that more people can participate easily.
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post #19 of 68
3/17/09 at 6:14am
If I can hunt it down I would definitely be intrigued to go with Europa 51. But I think availability will be an issue here. Maybe even more for others than me.

To kick this off I would propose a more recent movie: Gomorra. I heard great things about it though I missed it in it´s initial run.

ETA: Scrap that idea. Though I think it is a movie that would be definitely worthy to discuss it just happens that IMDB tells me that it hasn´t even been released in the states yet. Bummer.
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post #20 of 68
3/17/09 at 7:12am
I agree with you about availability. I've seen Gomorra, and I know it's opening at a theater near to me at my university on March 20, so that would work for me. Once again availability issue. We'll have to wait to see what the others say.

Quote:
I have to watch it again before being able to do so! I only saw it once and never had the chance again.
Well once you do, I would love to hear your thoughts on it, especially since you're actually from Argentina. Fucking fantastic movie to say the least.
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post #21 of 68
3/17/09 at 10:27am
Thread Starter 
I think we should stick to stuff that can be easily procured. I can't find Europa '51 (Not even under other titles) on Netflix, and a search for Roberto Rosselini turned out equally fruitless. At least that film is now on my radar.

Accesibility should be rule number one around here, I think.

I'd be interested in checking out Umberto D, to throw that one out there.
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post #22 of 68
3/17/09 at 5:08pm
Umberto D. works for me also, anyone else in favor/disagree?
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post #23 of 68
3/17/09 at 11:45pm
Umberto D. works for me.
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post #24 of 68
3/18/09 at 7:13pm
Well if that works for the three of us, I don't think we'll get more than this, at least not at first, so let's go ahead and say Umberto D. will be the first film for the foreign film discussion group. Any objections?
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post #25 of 68
3/18/09 at 7:14pm
Umberto D works for me, if I can join in this little group.
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post #26 of 68
3/18/09 at 7:16pm
I´ll try and hunt it down though I am quite busy in this real world stuff for the next few weeks.

What kind of time frame are we talking about actually? Is this supposed to work somewhat like the other film-club? Meaning a movie per month?

I am trying to be game because that particular matter is very tempting but don´t nail me if I have to bail.
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post #27 of 68
3/18/09 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Umberto D works for me, if I can join in this little group.
Absolutely.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jan View Post
I´ll try and hunt it down though I am quite busy in this real world stuff for the next few weeks.

What kind of time frame are we talking about actually? Is this supposed to work somewhat like the other film-club? Meaning a movie per month?

I am trying to be game because that particular matter is very tempting but don´t nail me if I have to bail.
A film a month would work for me, though I could also do one every two weeks or so, or even weekly, though that may be a bit hard to manage for a foreign film discussion. So it's up to the general consensus. I'll probably watch Umberto D. tomorrow, and create the first thread whenever everyone is ready.
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post #28 of 68
3/19/09 at 2:42am
Jan, Imdb is wrong about Gomorrah. It's been playing at one of my theatres for the past week. I will have to schedule a viewing for it this weekend. And I would like to join this group if I may. Tho my time if limited with my two jobs and various volunteer comittments. Let me know when the deadline to see Umberto D is.
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post #29 of 68
3/19/09 at 9:16am
I'm fine with Umberto D.
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post #30 of 68
3/19/09 at 10:18am
Alright so seeing as we have five or so, I think that's a good start. Obviously anyone is allowed to "join" this group, just be prepared to actually give a genuine opinion. I rented Umberto D. today, and I'll probably watch it tomorrow (or I guess later today, as it's 6:00 a.m. now). So unless anyone has objections, we can say the first official day is Friday, the 20th. Time zone doesn't matter.

As for time frame as to how long you have to watch it, shall we say two weeks, or would a month work better for everyone?
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post #31 of 68
3/19/09 at 11:27am
You should start a thread with the official selection(s) of the month, like the other chud film club.
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post #32 of 68
3/19/09 at 11:31am
I will, on Friday.
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post #33 of 68
3/19/09 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
As far as time frame goes, I think that we should stick to a month so that. We can see how that works out, and then maybe decrease the time frame for the next film. I think a month works best in general, though. It gives people plenty of time to revisit the movie in order to form a better understanding or more complete opinion before they feel they have to contribute.
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post #34 of 68
3/25/09 at 7:50pm
I have to hang out in this section more often.

I have to admit to being too much of a pussy to watch Umberto D. I've seen enough to know I'm just going to end up bawling like a baby by the end of it. Even clips, dog/train, get me worked up.

Maybe the next one.
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post #35 of 68
3/25/09 at 10:11pm
If things don't get more active, there won't be another one, so hopefully it gets busier.
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post #36 of 68
3/26/09 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
I just got Umberto D. in the mail today, and have been avoiding the thread for it due to spoilers. I'll see if I can squeeze a viewing in today.
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post #37 of 68
3/29/09 at 2:20pm
Umberto D. had to wait while I got over being sick all week. Now that I'm feeling better it's back on the menu. I will have to get a copy from my friend who works in a video store. In the meantime I have the option of seeing Gomorrah or Amarcord at my theatre tonight. Sometimes I really love working at a movie theatre.
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post #38 of 68
3/29/09 at 11:14pm
Okay who's renting out Umberto D. from the video store my friend works at? Hurry up and watch it so I can get it next. In the meantime I saw Fellin's Amarcord today and wanted to start a thread about it. Then I realized how lame my computer skills are. I don't know how to start a thread. My very computer savvy friend is coming over on Mon. to update my computer. I can ask her but I thought I would ask chewers for some tips. I don't think I will understand how to do it --but I thought I would ask. Thanks in advance.
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post #39 of 68
3/29/09 at 11:52pm
Just go to the forum section you want to start a new thread in, and there's a "new thread" button upper left of the screen.
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post #40 of 68
3/30/09 at 12:37am
Thanks Nexus! Now I feel like a real chewer.
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post #41 of 68
3/31/09 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarkovsky View Post
If things don't get more active, there won't be another one, so hopefully it gets busier.
I'm always happy to take recommendations for films from you old boy, but the premise to this sounds like it'll cripple me emotionally for days.

Not to say I wouldn't want a film that wants to make me feel that way, but certainly something i'm avoiding at the moment. What did you have in mind for a followup?
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post #42 of 68
3/31/09 at 11:53pm
No I understand man it's a tough film to watch, certain parts of that movie really remind me of some situations back in Slovakia. I'm thinking a Fellini is a must for any club focusing on Italian. So I'll take recommendations on to what Fellini everyone wants to watch, I've seen quite a few.
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post #43 of 68
4/1/09 at 12:34am
Something like 'La Strada" would be a nice change after having seen Amarcord.
But I will need a lift after Umberto D and Fellini will fill the bill
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post #44 of 68
4/1/09 at 2:01pm
I'm up for an excuse to finally watch La Dolce Vita.
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post #45 of 68
4/2/09 at 3:04am
I vote for 8 1/2. I don't know if this makes any sense but whenever these discussion groups come along, it sort of helps people stop procrastinating and watch a movie that they might not normally go.

The greatness and all the baggage of 8 1/2 might intimidate some people (I'll admit to a little of that) and I think this might be a good chance to really get into it.

But now that I think of it I Vitelloni might be a good bridge from the neorealism to the more surreal stuff he did later on. Gah, now I can't choose. I'm down with any Fellini.
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post #46 of 68
4/2/09 at 9:19am
La Dolce Vita is a film I've been dying to re-explore so I'm down for some classic Fellini.
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post #47 of 68
4/2/09 at 10:28am
I'm sorry i haven't participated in the discussion, I've been busy but I will make an effort to see Umberto D this weekend.

I like the suggestion of La Strada, it's probably Fellini's most accessible film.
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post #48 of 68
4/2/09 at 6:52pm
I'm game for Dolce Vita. Adding it to my lovefilm queue.
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post #49 of 68
4/4/09 at 7:53pm
La Dolce Vita is my least favorite of Fellini's that I've seen. It's a huge achievement, and I respect it as a great film, it just doesn't affect me in nearly the same way as Fellini. But I'll leave it up to the general consensus.
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post #50 of 68
4/4/09 at 9:43pm
My vote goes to La Strada.
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