Brothers.

THE DANISH FILM MAKER, SUSANNE BIER'S psychological drama, "BRODRE",(BROTHERS) 2005, examines a contemporary tragedy. Imaginative and engrossing screenwriting incorporates violence in Afghanistan with an intimate study of domestic relationships. Fine performances of power and ferocity portray emotional truths both at home and at war.
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Jannik, played by the peerless Nicolaj Lie Kaas is the aimless younger brother of Michael, (Ulrich Thomsen). He has just been released from prison for having committed a petty crime. Michael, the"good" brother, loving husband and father, and a doctor, is sent temporarily to Afghanistan with his reserve military unit. His helicopter is shot down, and his wife Sarah, ( Connie Nielsen), is notified that he has been killed.
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The movie is basically about consequences. Michael is rescued, but his life is shattered because of a fateful event, an atrocity. When he returns to his wife and family, he is a broken man, full of rage. His jealousy and suspicion of Jannik and Sarah become increasingly irrational. The brother roles are exchanged; the good and the troublesome personas switch.
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The movie was the winner in 2005 of the Sundance Film Festival's Audience Award for Drama. There is great narrative drive, and as in other Dogme films, locations are real and actors are given the freedom of movement and improvisation.
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Dogme/Dogma is an avant-garde film movement started in 1995 by Danish directors, Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier, who wanted to make films not dependent on huge budgets. The goal was to cause a stir, to rethink the essence of film making. Dogme has roots in the '60's New Wave.
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A Hollywood movie, "Brothers", was made in 2009 and is being released on DVD. I hope that they don't miss the point of "Brodre", that we don't necessarily know who we are, will be, in terms of right and wrong, when our lives are turned upside down.

The Seasons

"SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER...and SPRING"
2004
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This beautiful drama, directed by Kim Ki-Duk,
is set in an idyllic valley in Korea. A tiny
Buddhist monastery floats dreamlike on a
lake, surrounded by trees, where an
Old Monk and a Young Disciple live.
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The five seasons represent the chapters
in the Young Monk's life. Each section
begins with the opening of an ornamental
wooden gate on the shore, a timeless
ceremony, as is a doorway within the
monastery, a symbol of constraint.
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They never go beyond the surrounding
forest. One day in Summer, an adolescent
girl is delivered to them to be healed by
Old Monk. The tranquility is interrupted by
the awakened desire between Young Monk
and the girl. The beginning of conflict, of
violence, of lessons to sustain Young Monk
for his entire life. Ceremonial doors are
disregarded, the craving of attraction has
a persistent impact. Young Monk carries
another burden as a reminder of his
childhood cruelty.
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This is a film that is visually timeless,
full of breathtaking poetic images.
The path to redemption is approached with
the most stunning beauty. A fable of the
seasons of life.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxThe Floating Monastery
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Cracker.

ALTHOUGH THIS IS A TRIBUTE

TO THE GREAT ROBBIE COLTRANE,

OTHER ACTORS WHOM I ADMIRE,

WHO ARE RADIANT AND RIOTOUS IN

both comedy and drama, will pop up

to receive accolades.

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What brings this up is an article in the Times
about the series, "Crackers", starring Robbie Coltrane,
which is now being issued on DVD. Hurray for that!
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For those of you not as fanatical about British Police
Procedurals as I, let me explain. Fitz, Eddie Fitzgerald,
Coltrane's character, is a plump, arrogant, masterful,
penetrating, harsh, sharp, forensic police psychologist.
Solves them all, of course, and receives spiritual as
well as physical bruises.
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I place this series just slightly below "Prime Suspect",
Helen Mirren's masterwork. On the level with
"Inspector Morse", with the late, great John Thaw.
And almost side by side with the esoteric,"Wire In the Blood",
with the riveting Robson Green.
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Coltrane's been Hagrid in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers
Stone", in recent years. But started and was trained In
Glasgow. Was a partner to Emma Thompson with a
comedy troupe, appeared in Kenneth Branagh's "Henry V",
added to the mayhem of Black Adder, as did the original
Bertie Wooster, Hugh Laurie, (opposite the inimitable
Stephen Fry as Jeeves), who is presently wasting
his time as the dissipated and misogynistic "House", when
he should just shave, wash his face and do a bit of song,
a bit of dance, a bit of seltzer down his pants.
But I digress.
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What put Robbie Coltrane's name above the title was "Nuns
on the Run", with the "wacky" Eric Idle, who needs no
introduction here. I admit, I'm a complete sucker for
ridiculous drag and silly Nuns. Quite a transition then to
"Cracker", but my deep preference for comedy doesn't
erase Coltrane's personification of the super sleuth,
Eddie Fitzgerald. Ready for another round of that.