3. Tuvalu (1999)
Germany
Directed by Veit Helmer
R, 86 min
This beautifully shot experimental film is a bit of a throwback to silent era cinema and evokes similar motifs found in German Expressionism. Sounds weird? To be honest it is, but not completely inaccessible. Tuvalu follows the story of a young man whose family owns a deteriorating bathhouse. Now that the town is being newly developed he must find a way to save the building from being condemned, all while trying to impress Eva, a lovely patron of the bathhouse which he falls for instantly. Sparse on dialog, this film is an inspiration on how a story can be shared across the planet, using the international language of cinema.
Directed by Veit Helmer
R, 86 min
This beautifully shot experimental film is a bit of a throwback to silent era cinema and evokes similar motifs found in German Expressionism. Sounds weird? To be honest it is, but not completely inaccessible. Tuvalu follows the story of a young man whose family owns a deteriorating bathhouse. Now that the town is being newly developed he must find a way to save the building from being condemned, all while trying to impress Eva, a lovely patron of the bathhouse which he falls for instantly. Sparse on dialog, this film is an inspiration on how a story can be shared across the planet, using the international language of cinema.
I found this movie inspirational on many levels. The cinematography was carefully executed, although quite experimental. Shot primarily in Black & White, color hues are used to separate locations giving each background a life of it's own. Also, the mix of humor, drama and romance flow together seamlessly. Tuvalu is a beautifully executed story told in an original voice fit for any culture.
Memorable Scene: A nude Eva takes a midnight dip with her pet fish, complete with fish bowl. This beautifully captured moment, complimented by the blue tones, not only gives a sense of playfulness, but also freedom from the pending doom looming above.
Memorable Quote: "TECHNOLOGY... SYSTEM... PROFIT!"
R, 105 min
In this follow up to the critically acclaimed Gondry/Kaufman collaboration Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gondry takes the reins as both writer/director. In short, this is a tale of rejection set against the ever-expanding backdrop of the human subconscious. Stephan (Gael García Bernal) is a lucid dreamer who travels back to France after the death of his father. After a chance encounter with the awkward, yet beautiful Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), Stephan begins his downward spiral as he becomes unable to separate reality from the dreamscapes he paints for himself.
Any fan of Monsieur Gondry knows this is among his best works. Surreal as it is heartwarming, Gondry embraces his finest in-camera techniques to test the viewer. Forced perspective and stop-motion, along with clever gadgets and quirky dialog, help Gondry tell the tale of his failed attempts at love. Although sometimes seemingly nonsensically, every scene was carefully crafted to perfection, making sense of how sometimes our dreams and hopes can turn against us.
On a personal note, this film spends weeks in my bedroom DVD player at a time. Overkill? Perhaps, but the subtle narrative behind Stephan's dreamscapes drift me off to sleep in ways any great bedtime story would. Also, taking examples from his real life, Gondry helps explain we are not alone in our venture for the seemingly never-executable perfect relationship.
Random Trivia: There are several references in this movie to Michel Gondry's various music videos. Carrying the piano up the stairs is a reference to his video for the artist Lucas's song "Lucas With the Lid Off" which features a very similar sequence. The dolls that Gael García Bernal pulls out of the desk during one of the Stephane TV sequences are from his video for Oui Oui's song "Les Cailloux". The White Stripes song in the soundtrack is a reference to the many videos Gondry has done for them. The giant hands in an early dream sequence are from the Foo Fighters' "Everlong" video. Stéphane's bed and porch are similar to those from Chemical Brothers' "Let Forever Be" video.
Memorable Scene: Stephan gives a TV interview about his upcoming new novel; complete with a band performance and, of course, cat ears.
Memorable Quote: "In dreams emotions are overwhelming"
France
Written & Directed by Luc Besson
R, 91 min
Directing his first Milla J free movie since the The Fifth Element, Luc Besson tells the story of Andre (Jamel Debbouze), a petty criminal whose bad decision making has finally caught up with him. Pissing off basically every hi-profile gangster in town, Andre is at the end of his rope. With only a few days to pay off all existing debts, Andre decides suicide is the only escape. He might have done it too, if it wasn't for the mysterious appearance of the beautiful Angela (Rie Rasmussen) who gives Andre a new lease on life and offers to help him solve more then just his money troubles.
Although I had preconceived notions going into this (being that The Fifth Element and The Professional are 2 of my favorite movies of the 90s) nothing could prepare me for the personal nature of this film. Besson is known for juggling romance, action and humor seamlessly, but this simple little Black & White film has a powerful punch. As sexy as it is funny, Angel-A also evokes a sense of film noir, yet stylistically keeps things modern enough to keep Besson on the top of my list of favorite writer/directors.
Memorable Scene: Angela gives Andre a lesson in love in front of the mirror.
Memorable Quote: "Do you know the game Simon Says?"
In the end: I suppose the common theme between these movies is that they are romantic stories told in the least common way. All 3 are set against a fantasy backdrop, which makes the viewer question the reality of what they are watching. This offers a great escape from the restraints of every day routine and also helps breathe life into the imagination. All three films are also visually stunning, but not in the oh-so-common-Transformers-type way. They all utilize in-camera tricks which are then lightly sprinkled with CG flourishes.
