I'm supposed to be writing on The Saragossa Manuscript today but I got sidetracked looking at photos of Polish actress Iga Cembrzyńska.
Eastern European cinema is a diverse subject that has been scarcely regarded, especially compared to other world cinemas. From screen analysis to personal accounts, this blog is a meditation on Eastern European cultural values with emphasis on totalitarian iconography and other clandestine ciphers that have become motifs across the films of Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic and East Germany.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Fashion in Film: Iga Cembrzyńska
By Olivia Maria Hărşan
I'm supposed to be writing on The Saragossa Manuscript today but I got sidetracked looking at photos of Polish actress Iga Cembrzyńska.
I'm supposed to be writing on The Saragossa Manuscript today but I got sidetracked looking at photos of Polish actress Iga Cembrzyńska.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Women in Film: Kalina Jędrusik
By Olivia Maria Hărşan
Polish actress Kalina Jędrusik was a sex symbol throughout the 1960's and 1970's contributing her acting and singing talents to over thirty films. Her performance in Andrzej Wajda's The Promised Land (1975) has been hot topic for many film feminists interested in exploring ideas pertaining to the 'other Other'. Kalina plays a Polish Jewish woman involved in an affair with a nobleman but her role extends to the temptress stereotype through the 'exotic-ness' of her Jewish identity. Kalina was not conventionally beautiful but she acquired a type of forbidden desire within her accentuated physical features.
Polish actress Kalina Jędrusik was a sex symbol throughout the 1960's and 1970's contributing her acting and singing talents to over thirty films. Her performance in Andrzej Wajda's The Promised Land (1975) has been hot topic for many film feminists interested in exploring ideas pertaining to the 'other Other'. Kalina plays a Polish Jewish woman involved in an affair with a nobleman but her role extends to the temptress stereotype through the 'exotic-ness' of her Jewish identity. Kalina was not conventionally beautiful but she acquired a type of forbidden desire within her accentuated physical features.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Film Review: The curse of the land, the curse of love/ Blestemul pământului, blestemul iubirii (1981) Mircea Mureșan
By Olivia Maria Hărşan
The curse of the land, the curse of love is Romanian filmmaker Mircea Mureșan's adaptation of a powerful story written by renowned author Liviu Rebreanu depicting Transylvanian rural life prior to WWII and the social politics between the peasants and the intellectuals. The story centres upon the protagonist Ion (Șerban Ionescu) and his obsession with becoming a rich. His scheme is to impregnate Ana (Ioana Crăciunescu), the naive daughter of a wealthy boyar (landowner) in his village so that he can marry her and steal her dowry. Although Ana is a suitable wife, warm-hearted and hard working, Ion remains infatuated with Florica (Sorina Stănculescu), a stunning young woman however lacking of any form of wit. In his plight to succeed with his plans, Ion mentally degrades Ana, whom up to this point has suffered physical abuse and verbal insults by the hand of her father. Ion effectively ruins Ana from the point he takes her virginity and the beginning of a string of tragic consequences begin to manifest. I've seen quite a number of Romanian films from the 60's, 70's and 80's - many historical epics and literary adaptations - and I must say this is one of the best because it illustrates a type of human psychology that is timeless while providing insight into a culture and part of the world rarely explored in film theory.
Filmed in the ethereal Transylvanian countryside - my birthplace and a place where I will always be spiritually linked to no matter where I am in the world. "Transylvania... ", my grandfather insists in declaring time and again, "...is the most beautiful and peaceful part of Romania."
The curse of the land, the curse of love is Romanian filmmaker Mircea Mureșan's adaptation of a powerful story written by renowned author Liviu Rebreanu depicting Transylvanian rural life prior to WWII and the social politics between the peasants and the intellectuals. The story centres upon the protagonist Ion (Șerban Ionescu) and his obsession with becoming a rich. His scheme is to impregnate Ana (Ioana Crăciunescu), the naive daughter of a wealthy boyar (landowner) in his village so that he can marry her and steal her dowry. Although Ana is a suitable wife, warm-hearted and hard working, Ion remains infatuated with Florica (Sorina Stănculescu), a stunning young woman however lacking of any form of wit. In his plight to succeed with his plans, Ion mentally degrades Ana, whom up to this point has suffered physical abuse and verbal insults by the hand of her father. Ion effectively ruins Ana from the point he takes her virginity and the beginning of a string of tragic consequences begin to manifest. I've seen quite a number of Romanian films from the 60's, 70's and 80's - many historical epics and literary adaptations - and I must say this is one of the best because it illustrates a type of human psychology that is timeless while providing insight into a culture and part of the world rarely explored in film theory.
Filmed in the ethereal Transylvanian countryside - my birthplace and a place where I will always be spiritually linked to no matter where I am in the world. "Transylvania... ", my grandfather insists in declaring time and again, "...is the most beautiful and peaceful part of Romania."
Traditional dancing in beautiful costumes typical of the Transylvanian region.
The family of intellectuals.
Ion.
Florica.
Ana.
Ana and her father.
Ana crying on her wedding day.
Ana giving birth while Ion works in the field ignoring her.
Ion standing outside Florica's home desperate to hold her.
Florica in her kitchen - included this picture to show the exquisite handiwork on the collar.
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FILM
SPOILER ALERT SPOLER ALERT!!
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FILM
SPOILER ALERT SPOLER ALERT!!
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FILM
SPOILER ALERT SPOLER ALERT!!
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FILM
SPOILER ALERT SPOLER ALERT!!
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FILM
SPOILER ALERT SPOLER ALERT!!
WARNING: DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FILM
SPOILER ALERT SPOLER ALERT!!
Ana lying dead in her coffin while Ion's alcoholic mother wails over her.
Ion and Florica in a field soon after Ana's death.
Florica and her suspicious husband.
Ion lying dead as the town's so-called 'lunatic' examines his wounds.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)