MY FAVORITES

Why film?
A film can reach a broad public with a strong message, in a discrete way. That is why I consider film as one of the most powerful media of today. Without moralizing, simply by showing a piece of reality and truth, can a film give us an experience of the life of other people. Lilja 4-ever by Lukas Moodysson is a great example of this.

A good film stays in your mind a while after you have seen it. It tells a story that opens new perspectives. I still remember the powerful effect of the tragic Breaking the Waves by Lars von Trier.

I love earthbound films that bring you close to people, like the ones of Mike Leigh, e.g. All or Nothing and Secret and Lies. I like when films dare to be personal, like The Tango Lesson by Sally Potter.

I admire film that dare approach touchy subject matters, like Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore. I am fascinated with the serious content in some of the Danish Dogme films, like Festen, by Thomas Vinterberg, at the same time as I enjoy the humorous Italian for Beginners by Lone Scherfig and the romantic Mifunes Last Song by Søren Kragh Jacobsen.

I look up to Vittorio De Sica for his simple and visual way of telling stories, e.g. The Bicycle Thieves. I see and enjoy similar use of visually simple and effective storytelling in The Rat Race by Lynne Ramsey, and in Billy Elliot by Stephen Daldry.

I love the colorfulness and seductive style in Pedro Almodovar's films, that makes excellent use of cinematography, music and dance. Worth mentioning is Talk to Her. I admire the symbolism and the conscious art direction in Stanley Kubrick's films, like Eyes Wide Shot. I find similar excellent use of symbolism in the Hollywood production Fight Club.

I have an extra preference for films that are esthetically beautiful, combined with an interesting and clear content, like Red by Kislowsky and Chunking Express, by Won Kar-wai.

Other admirable films (this list continues to grow):

The Son, The Pianist, A Beautiful Mind, Pane e Tulipane, Øyenstikker, Dancer in the Dark, Jalla Jalla, Central Station, Burnt by the Sun, Baraka, Trainspotting, The Hate.