THE NATION OF DRAMA

Iran is one harsh country and such harshness gives birth to some strong existential real life dramas.

„Life+1 day” is basically a filmed stage play, revolving around one family and its inner courtyard. Three brothers and two sisters will form the backbone of this thorough digging inside the Persian social system and norms, as well as the problems that each and every single family like this one has. True epicenter will be the Mohsan’s (phenomenal Navid Mohammadzadeh) drug addiction and young Somayeh’s arranged marriage to an Afghan.

There won’t be much action, but you won’t lack talking. And talking. And talking. Just like the old Hollywood, based on a strong backbone of every successful drama.

The SCRIPT.

And Saeed Roustayi’s script will make you think, laugh and cry, just so as the real life does. The real life, not imaginary and politically correct problems forced into the movie industry by wealthy producers. „Just” real life.

„Life+1day” is a great drama from a country that redefined drama genre outside Europe.

LIFE+1DAY – 8/10

FOTO: img.movietimes.com

ENTERTAINING

Felix von Groeningen established his position in the world of indie productions by claustrophobic „Broken circle breakdown”, so it was really interesting to see how he will take on the much more positive subject.

Rise of „Belgica”, a club run by two brothers (Jo and Frank) from the margin of society to the fancy discotheque everybody wants to visit will take you on a rollercoaster of hilarious and twisted drug, liquor and sex driven episodes. Along the way, you will be able to see all the Felix's directing talent and listen to some really, really good music.

On the other hand, the story doesn't offer any solutions nor life lessons as some might expect.

„Belgica” will make you laugh and dance, without any false pretensions.

BELGICA - 6/10

FOTO: belgicadefilm.be

REMAKE WAS BETTER

FOTO: outnow.ch

Susanne Bier is one of the greatest European directors/screenwriters and her flick ”Brothers” had all the ingredients for a great drama. Plot about the wife that falls in love for the brother of a husband pronounced dead in Afghanistan is very interesting, but the acting and the development fall short of the expected.

Casting is superb in theory (Connie Nielsen, Nikolaj Lie Kass, Ulrich Thomssen), but actors are somehow tampered by partially predictable lines of the script as well as some weak motivations along the way.

This is one of the rare opportunities that the American remake (”Brothers” with Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire) had succeeded in surpassing the European original.

BRODRE – 5/10