Category: Drama

Drama, Film, Neo Realism, Review, Women in Film

Jafar Panahi’s “The Mirror” (1997)

mirror.jpg

Director: Jafar Panahi

Writer: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Mina Mohammad Khani, Aida Mohammadkhani, Kazem Mojdehi

As I conclude my Italian Cinema series, I want to celebrate 2 films that are a direct result of Italian Neo Realism. Both of which come from the Iranian New Wave (a form of neo realism).

“The Mirror” is a story of a little girl trying to get home. If you haven’t seen it, it is one of the most charming films I’ve seen. It’s important to watch the entire movie.

The director, Jafar Panahi, said that the film was meant to show how “reality and the imagination are intertwined, they are very similar”. -Wiki page

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Drama, Film, Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review

Fellini’s “Nights of Cabiria” (1957)

Nights of Cabiria_.jpg

 

Director: Federico Fellini

Writers: Federico Fellini (story), Ennio Flaiano (story)

Married to Federico Fellini (perhaps why we have a feminist piece)? Who directed this.

Beautiful story about a woman seeking to just be loved for who she is.

 

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Drama, Film, Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review, Women in Film

Rossellini’s “Rome, Open City” (1945)

romeopencity1

Director: Roberto Rossellini

Writers: Sergio Amidei (screenplay) (as A. Amidei), Federico Fellini (collaboration on screenplay) (as F. Fellini)

 

Anna Magnani portrays Pina with one of the most powerful scenes in cinematic history.

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Crime, Drama, Review, Television, Thriller

Netflix’s “Bodyguard” (2018)

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Created by: Jed Mercurio

Starring: Richard Madden, Sophie Rundle, Vincent Franklin

 

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 4

3) Strength of the directing: 4

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 4

10) Would I recommend it? 4

Score: 46/50