romantic epic from director Ondrej Trojan, Zelary, Oscar nominated
(Best Foreign Language Film, 2003), is well worth adding to your
queue. The script is based on the autobiographical novella, Jozova
Hanule (Joe's Annie), by Květa Legátová. Set in Nazi occupied
Prague, in 1943, a sophisticated medical student, who is a member
of the Czech resistance, is betrayed to the Gestapo and is forced to
to marry a simple rural peasant, who agrees to hide her in the rustic
village of Zelary.
Posing as his wife, she is at first angry and defiant, but eventually
falls in love and becomes attached to the tranquil community. This
film was beautifully shot in rural Slovakia and set to a gorgeous
musical score. It's a quietly powerful film, full of charm and engaging
actors. It's definitely worth a watch. I give it a willowy two thumbs
up. This is a romantic epic, but by no means a chick flick. You'll like it.
I think this sounds like it would be something I could watch. Thanks for the mini review.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Willow, that was a wonderful movie. I do so love having Netflix, mainly for the foreign films which I love. That way, if I miss something on a subtitle, I can rewind away at my leisure and play it again, sam. Some of the foreign films are so incredible.
ReplyDeleteRN, I totally agree. Most of the stuff Hollywood cranks out is trash. There are some amazing international gems out there and it's so easy to rent them from Netflix.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. Any film recommended by you must possess a degree of charm :)
ReplyDeleteI have four foreign film recommendations for you -
'The Cup' (Tibetan)
'The Scent of Green Papaya' (Vietnamese)
'Lagaan' (Indian)
'The Road Home' (Chinese)
All absolutely enchanting!
Shaista, if you like them, I know I will, too! Thanks for the recommendations. I'm adding them to my queue right now!
ReplyDeleteOh one more, 'The Story of the Weeping Camel' (Mongolian) - so brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteBut, I like chick flicks!
ReplyDeleteTwo willowy thumbs up? Are you sure? That's funny.
Love foreign films...think Netflix is a must for me, especially for the foreign films I can't find here in Ioway...this is the sticks you know!!!
ReplyDeleteGonna have to check out Shaista's pics too...thanks guys!
it's on my list! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. It sounds just like the kind of movie I like. Someone recommended Badlands and I watched it today, but did not care for it. Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacik (That may not be the right spelling). There was some good acting, but not my favorite type of movie. That is why I like Netflix also. I hit the jackpot from Shasta's comment.
ReplyDeleteQMM
We have owned this on dvd for a number of years and it is one of our very favourites.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great tip! Looks good, Willow!
ReplyDeleteForeign films are becoming better than Hollywood because Hollywood films are being made for the video market. The good old days of hollywood epics have been ruined by the dvd player.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Willow, pretty sure I'd like to get into this too.
ReplyDeleteI like it when you bring us these gifts, films and music we might never see and hear otherwise. And because of your good taste, I know I too will like them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI will likely watch this. I enjoy your movie reviews. You have some good picks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great suggestion Willow - I'll add it to my (ever growing longer) list.
ReplyDeleteI have friends who also love Netflix, but the idea of watching whatever shows up next seems a little odd to me. Sometimes your in a certain kind of movie mood, and other times your not. How does that work out?
I will Netflix this one, Willow. I was in Prague a few years ago, and my husband's family are from Slovakia, so I look forward to the cinematography. I love foreign films, anyway. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteHilary, you choose your film and order it online. It comes within two days, then you have as long as you like to view it, before you mail it back. It actually works out very well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Another one for the When I Get Control of the Remote list (you are very, very good at finding those!). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Willow, thanks for the recommendation.. I have actually started a notebook where I write down books & movies recommended by blog friends, now. (No such luxury as Netflix where I live - just buy them online and wait for them to arrive!!)
ReplyDeleteHi Willow, I agree with you, the film is beautiful. Květa Legátová is the pen name of an author born in 1911(!). She worked as a teacher at various schools in the Czech countryside. Her stories are inspired by life in the mountain areas where she worked.
ReplyDeleteLegátová made her entry onto the literary scene in 2001(!) with the collection Zelary.
Ciao Willow, so we're connect you speak about Zelary, and I cook czech food! :D Nice film, ciao have a funny week end.
ReplyDeletehi willow - i love improbable romance and unlikely love. it restores my faith in the possibility of it happening whenever and wherever which is what i always thought when i was a kid. have a lovely day at the manor. steven
ReplyDeleteThis does look like the sort of film that we would enjoy. The last recommendation of yours that we watched was 'Sunshine' - it was tremendous.
ReplyDeletegood morning willow! will add this one to our list. sounds great and looks like quite a few agree! have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am always looking for good films, and so I'll check this one out. I have learned to trust your take on books, music, etc. You seem to have a similar vibe to what I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. I saw this film several months ago(Bless Netflix!)and found it beautiful to look at, steeped in human truths..thanks for bringing it up..
ReplyDeleteHello Willow,
ReplyDeleteI always feel rather like a country bumpkin myself; you see 100s of Netflix films, which so many of your friends also use. Although we have similar services in UK, I know I'd never get through pile!
...just added it to my Netflix...and all of Shaista's...What would I do with out Netflix?
ReplyDeletePablo brought home"No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" and "Zelary". We added Zelary after your suggestion...looking forward to a movie weekend!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an excellent movie. Definitely added to my Netflix queue.
ReplyDeletecool! I have added to my queue...thanks for the review! So sorry I missed the annual ball--it was quite a night from all I read!!
ReplyDeletebest-c
Sounds fantastic! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is is so going into my queue.
ReplyDeleteAnother one I haven't seen and want to...
ReplyDeleteRight up my alley. Headed to Blockbuster queue right now!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a chick flick. One that S would move to the top of the queue. But I'll watch it. I have no reason not to trust your artistic judgment. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteSlovakia? I'm on my way there right now! Honest! I land in Bratislava in the morning!
ReplyDeleteI love to read all of your movie reviews. They are so much better than any of those TV reviewers.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for another great one.
God bless.
Maalie, your're kidding?! That's too exciting! I'll be looking forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the little review which comes at a good time as I just joined Netflix last week and am enjoying my membership. Had no idea they had so many on-demand movies I could watch right on my computer. Loving it!
ReplyDeleteI watched "Badlands", which you said would be good, and it was!
ReplyDeleteSissy Spacek was incredible. I'll add this one too. Thanks!
I enjoyed, "The Dutchess" recently.
Sounds like a very nice movie indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! THat sounds really good and I was wondering what to stick on my Netflix list!
ReplyDeleteoh, thanks so much for this reco - i'm headed to amazon now - sounds like just my cuppa tea! have a lovely day, ladywillow~
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I HAVE to see this one. Thanks!
ReplyDelete