Battle for Haditha (Great Brittain, 2007)

Strong anti-war movie by director Nick Broomfield. Shot in a semi-documentary style we experience the killing of an US Marine at Haditha (Iraq) in November 2005. The aftermath shows the killing and execution of harmless villagers.

Haditha starts with the question we all (well I guess about 95 %) have in mind. Why are there Americans in Iraq?It's a portrayel of the war against terror and this film is not shy about the truth. I guess most American's won't like this movie too much because some US Marines are shown off like executioners instead of helping a country which is completely divided.

The storyline is well done, showing not only the US Marines, but also the story of the terrorists and the people which are being murdered.

To be honest, you have to like the style of filming a bit, it's sometimes a bit harrowing. You will definetely like it when you liked Bloody sunday and United 93.

Maybe it's a bit dangerous to say but after watching this movie you can understand why some people become terrorists. It seems like a visual circle. Terrorists kill an American, Americans take revenge on at least 15/20 Iraqi's and the surviving familymembers of such a slaughter can't think of anything else than take revenge on the Americans....

...ing (Korea, 2003)

...ing Is a beautiful melodramatic movie (director: Eon-hie Lee) about love, sorrow and pain. It's a pure one that shows the beauty of love together with the greatest pain it can bring. In general ít deals about a girl(Gang Mina-a, played by Su-jeong Lim known for her lates role in I'm a cyborg, but that's okay) that is very ill and that keeps her away from making friends easily. Her mother (Misuk, played by Mi-suk Lee) wants to see her have fun and asks her often if she doesn't want to have a boyfriend.

A young photographer (Yeong Jae played by Rae-won Kim) moves in the appartment below theirs and faals in love with her, Mina slowly becomes more open to him and begins to enjoy the beauty of life. She fiends a friend in Yeong Jae and a friendship blossoms. But remember, Mina is very ill so this film has its emotional parts too, it probably will hurt your heart as well.

It's also very funny with small word jokes that are one of the best I ever seen. For example: A woman talks about noodle models while she means nude models. Just hilarious.

Don't expect a very difficult story, it's a pure lovesong which is at the same time truelly heartbreaking. It's almost impossible to not feel touched by watching this movie. Another wonderful thing is the cinematography, it's beautifully done. How subtle Mina's illness is shown is remarkable and most shots are wonderful. For those who don't like Asian cinema because the fact that they often introduce to many characters (which for some westerns are difficult to distinguish) you can be relieved. This movie only deals about a handful of people.

Wanna try something different than Western commercial cinema? Watch ...ing!! And the title...well it explains itself.

A different kind of film (Fitna by Geert Wilders)

Well, this time I wanna talk about a different kind of film. A film that is responsible for a big commotion and haven't even been shown yet.

It's the anti-Koran film 'Fitna', made by Dutch politician Geert Wilders. All over the world people demonstrate to get this film forbidden but why exactly? Probably it will be an anti-Koran film but nobody knows really what it will be about.

More interesting is.... did Geert Wilders shoot the movie himself? How will he handle problems like shooting in the right light, background music (I guess it won't be quietfull traditional Islamic music, but who knows...), will the story be linear and exciting or will we just see still after still with an anti-Koran message. I'm curious about the camerawork, the artwork and will there be beautiful clothes in it? If it's really a film to be discussed about it can't be only about the contents, filmmaking is about so many different subjects.

The islamic world is upset and even the dutch government already apologized for this movie.... Do they really think Wilders will shoot a really disturbing or maybe a revolutionary movie? Or will it just be propaganda that will be forgotten the day after it's shown and maybe will be selected for the worst films ever made?

Why doesn't everybody relax and take it easy, all this fuss about something that never has been shown. We won't get rid of all young dogs because maybe in a few years one will get rabbies and hurt a child.

Kagrra - Utakata (Visual Kei)

Sometimes you hear some music that touches your heart, or maybe even your soul. Sometimes you don't even understand the lyrics of such a song but it feels complete and beautiful as it is. This is what I experienced while I was listening to 'Utakata' by 'Kagrra', a Japanese rockband from the Visual Kei movement. For those who never heard about Visual Kei: This is a musical subculture from Japan (Nippon). It can be identified by its flamboyant, excentric and often adrogyn looks from te people. It has it's founding in the 80's, maybe inspired by new romantic and glamrock acts like David Bowie and Kiss. Visual Kei wasn't very known in Europe but after 2000 it took a flight here. It's all thanks to immense popularity of the Japanese anime which found its heart to many viewers during this time. Germany especially seems to like the influences of Visual Kei due to the fact of the existence of the pop-rock band cinema bizarre and also Bill Kaulitz, the leadsinger of Tokyo Hotel, seems to be a real fan of Visual Kei. The music can differ: glam, cyberpunk, gothic or new romantic.

Utakata by Kagrra just has everything to make it a real memorable song. Together with the video it completes its uniqueness, some traditional instruments are added to the normal instruments which make it even more brilliant. Well...just listen to it and I guess you will float away for 5 minutes to another world where you are totally hypnotized by the musical sounds of this band. Just a fantastic song...

Together

Together (He ni zai yi qi) by Chen Kaige is a Chinese movie about music and growing up.

In short the story deals about a boy who wants to be a famous violin musician (well in fact, his dad wants him to be a famous musician).

This journey will lead to Beijing where his dad wants to find a great teacher for his son. The first teacher teaches the boy Liu Xiaochun (playeb by Yun Tang) how to play the music from his heart, the only problem is that he can teach him how to play but now how to make him famous. Liu Xiaochun had to be transferred to another teacher and this will show us the difference between playing music for yourself or for fame.

These are interesting subjects but maybe the most intereting part of this movie lies in the fact that it is about growing up, how a father have to let his son go a bit and about a first unreachable love.

I think this movie is really great. Don't expect any action but when you like music (it's maybe even better when you play an instrument yourself) and are willing to watch a movie about growing up and in fact a story between father (who is imperfect but doing his best he can) son it is able to touch your heart.

Together with the beautiful music it's a beautiful film!