Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by TAFKA Steve on January 29, 2000 at 16:26:41:

In Reply to: Few more posted by Victor Khomenko on January 29, 2000 at 15:42:34:

I just finished cleaning about 200 LPs on my VPI-17F and boy do I need a break. So, here's a few "art film" recommendations from the Far East or Southeast.

India: "The Apu Trilogy"

Taiwan: "Eat Drink Man Woman"

Vietnam: "Scent of Green Papaya"

Hong Kong: "Chungking Express"

China: "To Live" and "Farewell My Concubine"

Korea: "Why Has Bodhi Dharma Left To The East?"

Japan: "Kwaidan"

I see that Victor has played his Pasolini trump card in recommending "Salo". I'd add Pasolini's "Arabian Nights" to complete his "Trilogy of Life" and remark that all three are pretty good looking on DVD. I just got Kiarostami's "Taste of Cherry" and am now looking forward to seeing his Koker Trilogy. Finally, I should point out that in Oklahoma City it is illegal to rent or possess a copy of Schlondorf's Oscar-winning "The Tin Drum" because it has been judged as obscene under their local child pornography laws. Local police have used strong arm tactics to obtain rental lists from video stores and have raided private residences to issue arrests and obtain the film copies for evidence. I'm hiding my laserdisc copy just in case Central Ohio goes fascist-conservative under our new mayor.

As David Byrne sang: "This is not my beautiful house. This is not my beautiful wife. How did I get here?"