Natalia Pelayo & Alejandra Baldoni in "Aniceto" [2008 Argentina]

Now here's something different - a film musical..!

Veteran actor-filmmaker Leonardo Favio revisits a film he made forty years earlier (El romance del Aniceto y la Francisca) - this time, as a musical, "Aniceto". Favio produced this popular story as a modern ballet, with a unique blend of Latin American rhythms like Tango and Cumbia.

It was refreshing to see a film with minimalist set design, allowing us to follow the characters more intimately, and without too many distracting elements. Aided by excellent art direction and great choice of music, Favio had done a fine musical version of the story using his exceptionally talented cast.

Aniceto, a happy-go-lucky lad makes a living by organising cock-fights using his prized rooster. One day, he sees gypsy girl La Francisca, newly arrived in town and looking for work, and charms her. The naive Francisca also falls in love and goes to live with him. But when mysterious and attractive Lucía moves into the neighbourhood, it is Aniceto's turn to fall under her spell - he showers her with gifts and falls in love with her. When Francisca learns of the affair and realises that he doesn't love her as much as she does, she leaves, from which point Aniceto's fortunes take a turn for the worse.

Even if it is a simple story, the film narrates it with charm and grace. However - it left me wondering whether Sr. Favio, in making this film ballet, had fully exploited the medium to his advantage. Granted, the actors in the film are predominantly professional dancers, and facial expressions expected in close-ups may not be their particular strength, but I felt some other film making tools were also under-utilised, particularly the editing, and camera angles. Perhaps I've been spoilt watching too many musicals by Spanish auteur Carlos Saura - he wouldn't shy away from using cinematic techniques that would help his storytelling. The sound engineering could also be better, as could the choreography restrained, focusing more on the story than angles and movement, which are great on their own, but perhaps more appropriate for theatre than cinema. Never mind - I am just nit picking - it's a great film with awesome performances by the three main characters, and therefore, Recommended Viewing.




Scene 1: Natalia Pelayo
The talented and cute Natalia Pelayo plays La Francisca. Alas, there is only brief nudity from her, towards the end.








Scene 2: Alejandra Baldoni
The irresistible Lucía winning over Aniceto. Lucía is played by sultry Alejandra Baldoni.








Bonus Scene: Natalia Pelayo
No nudity - this is only for those eager to sample Natalia Pelayo's performance skills. This early scene where Aniceto first lays eyes on La Francisca is very well directed - I so wish Sr. Favio had fashioned the rest of the film similarly.





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Luisa Ranieri, Tiziana Buldini & Giulia Michelini in "Immaturi" [2011 Italy]

Paolo Genovese's latest box-office hit "Immaturi" [Eng. Title: Immature] is a breezy feel-good comedy about a group of friends getting together after twenty years. The premise is however interesting - the batch they belonged to have to re-sit an examination from twenty years ago - the board had just managed to audit the results and discovered some irregularities in the grading. This gives them the perfect excuse to reconnect with the once close-knit group - they had hitherto dispersed, taking up different vocations. As they get together to cram Greek philosophy, the film gives a fly-past of each of the main characters' lives, their family, and unresolved issues from the past. Needless to say, all ends well.

It is a typical mainstream film, with beautiful people trying to deal with their tiny little discomforts. While occasionally witty and intelligent, the characters are cliché, as are the dialogues and screenplay predictable. Great cinematography, art direction, popular music, and a simple story - easy viewing at its best, I guess!

There are also a couple of brief nude scenes in the film - the reason for this post. The compilation was made from DVD.



Scene Guide:

• In the scene, Marta, played by Luisa Ranieri is checking out photos of her husband's childhood friends. Sra. Ranieri doesn't get nude in the film but is sexy all the same - and for me, the very definition of "Gorgeous".
• Olivia is the mistress of Virgilio, who briefly panics after hearing the door bell, only to receive a recorded letter from the exam board. Wholesome Olivia is played by Tiziana Buldini.
• Cinzia is with Piero in the bathtub - she wants to know when he's going to separate from his wife, as she's unwilling to play second fiddle any longer (the b*stard actually isn't married but pretends to be, so that he needn't make any commitments). The scene is also funny as she walks around naked just covered in lather while having this heated argument. Cinzia is played by Giulia Michelini.

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Béatrice Dalle in "37°2 le Matin" BR1080 [France 1986]

Jean-Jacques Beineix's drama "37°2 le Matin" [Eng. Title: Betty Blue, Festival Title: 37°2 in the Morning] is probably his finest work to date - it was also nominated for Oscar, BAFTA and César the following year.

The romantic saga starts on a warm afternoon with Betty arriving at Zorg's cabin by the sea - she had just quit her barmaid job after an argument with the owner. When she tells him that she hasn't got money even for the train ticket, Zorg allows her to stay - and they embark on an intensely passionate relationship. Betty's short temper made sure that Zorg didn't hold his job for long, and they end up with Betty's best friend Lisa, as paying guests. Betty wants Zorg to be a successful writer - she had read his only manuscript that was hidden away and forgotten. She now believes it's the best novel she'd ever read and takes it upon herself to get the book published. But Betty is unable to accept rejection by publishers, and nearly ends up in prison for assaulting one of them who poked fun at it. While working at their friend's piano store, Betty is overwhelmed with joy after discovering she could be pregnant. But when further tests prove it to be negative, Betty goes into a state of shock and starts rejecting the world and eventually even herself. Zorg, who loves her deeply, gives his all to help cure her worsening mental illness. The pain he feels for her also helps him to start writing again.

This is a director's film, beautifully scripted, as we watch and feel the couple's growing love. The photography and soundtrack are excellent, as are the heart-felt performances by the main actors. While the film is famous for its nude scenes, there is a great story behind it, one you wouldn't mind watching again once in a while. Highly Recommended Viewing..!

I've had the director's edition DVD for some time now, and noticed the film was also released on Blu-ray more recently, but it is the general/theatrical version. To truly appreciate the film, I recommend the director's cut, which runs for nearly three hours - an hour longer than the theatrical version. The abridged version can be confusing and perhaps even incoherent in places.

For this post, I've cut all the relevant scenes available in blu-ray, but also dug out my DVD for some scenes either removed, or cut-short in the theatrical release, and put them here for the record.




Compilation 1: Béatrice Dalle
These are the early scenes set in the beach cabin when Betty initially moves in with Zorg. Betty's rebellious character couldn't have been cast better - Beatrice Dalle who plays Betty appears to have been born for that part. Mme. Dalle may draw the wrong headlines in the media for her attitude, but she will forever be remembered as Betty. From Blu-ray.



Scene Guide:

• No nudity but sexy - Betty arrives at Zorg's cabin wearing an apron for a dress. making herself at home right away.
• This long love scene is so authentic, they could even be doing it for real.
• Zorg's totally uncool employer feasting on Betty, sleeping in Zorg's arms at the cabin.
• This is a classic. Betty comes outside after overhearing the boss having a go at Zorg for turning up late for work She argues with the guy during which he lifts her shirt to point out she isn't wearing any panties. A furious Betty gives him a piece of her mind (and an eyeful of her pussy in broad daylight, and public view).

Compilation 2: Béatrice Dalle and Clémentine Célarié
All the scenes below happen after Betty and Zorg flee the tacky beach front after setting fire to their cabin. From Blu-ray.



Scene Guide:

• Betty and Zorg go upstairs 'for a cuddle' in appreciation for her efforts in getting him a publisher.
• They've just moved into the house once occupied by their friend's mother who had passed on. This is a comic scene where Betty isn't happy sleeping in the same bed where their friend's mother died.
• Annie is wife of the grocery store owner next door, Zorg enters the kitchen where she's breastfeeding the baby. When he comments innocently that the little one is going for 'it', Annie tells him that her nipples have now become very hard too because of the breastfeeding and asks him to feel it for himself! The ever-horny Annie is played by the very wholesome Clémentine Célarié.
• Annie takes Zorg forcefully at the shop floor when her hubby isn't watching. This is the most erotic scene in the film where Zorg tries hard to be a gentleman, only to find his hands are all over the place, for someone supposedly rejecting Annie's advances. The poor lady is frustrated she hasn't been getting much from her husband of late, and fears he'd lost interest in her. In the scene you may also catch a glance of Mme Célarié's pubic hair peeping from the top of her thong.
• Betty stops Zorg, who's in a hurry, to announce she could be pregnant. A longer version of this scene is in the director's edition below.
• Zorg and Betty love scene.
• While making love Zorg discovers some sleeping pills and questions her. She tells him he doesn't take them often. A longer version of this is in the director's edition below.
• Zorg is shocked to see what Betty had done to herself - she was informed that evening that her pregnancy was negative - a touching scene where Zorg reaches out to her.
• No nudity - see-through white t-shirt. Betty's friend Lisa urges her to take a dip in the lake, and Betty does so by literally falling into it.
• Zorg comforts a sleepless and depressed Betty.

Compilation 3: From the Director's Cut DVD
Some additional and extended scenes from the director's edition of "37°2 le Matin".



Scene Guide:

• Betty kissing her 'sleepy little slug' goodnight.
• In the shower, Betty is worried if she's putting on weight.
• In bed with Zorg after a few drinks.
• Brief shower scene
• Extended version of a scene in compilation 2.
• Extended version of the scene where Betty informs Zorg that she could be pregnant.

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Maria Panourgia & Sofia Georgovassili in "Mavro Livadi" BR1080 [2009 Greece]

I'm only beginning to discover Greek cinema, but whatever I've seen so far is refreshing (and educational too - for e.g., now I know a Janissary is not a union of workers in the cleaning profession but a Christian boy involuntarily conscripted into the imperial guards of the Ottoman empire, as a kind of 'blood tribute' paid by non-Muslim families).

Vardis Marinakis's Greek drama "Mavro Livadi" [Eng. Title: Black Field] is an unusual romance set in late medieval Greece, when it was apparently part of the Ottoman empire. A Janissary escapes from his masters and ends at the doorstep of a remote convent-nunnery, exhausted and badly wounded. As part of her religious commitment, the Mother superior takes him in and treats his wounds, but also stays loyal to the empire by informing the authorities that they have held a deserted Janissary - the reward would be useful in keeping the convent running. A young nun however falls in love with him, and not only does she help him escape, but also follows him into the forest - a return to nature for both the characters. But the nun has a little secret too - she is a (Christian) boy placed in the convent to avoid being conscripted as a Janissary..!

The film is beautifully made with some stunning cinematography and locations, like the Palamidi castle where many of the scenes were shot. And a lot of thought had gone into the costumes and art direction, which transport us to a Byzantine monastery quite vividly, which gives the film a Gothic feel. If nothing else, it is a substantial visual feast worth savouring, which in Blu-ray is even more sumptuous - and the scenes below were also cut from it.




Scene 1: Maria Panourgia
It appears Sister Areti hasn't yet fully renounced carnal pleasure, and when she'd been assigned to treat the janissary's wounds, she uses this opportunity to also treat herself - considering how rare man-meat is in the secluded monastery. Sister Areti is played by Maria Panouria (or Maria Panouria as IMDB would have us believe - I had to do a bit of digging to find out who she was because the film credits were in Greek script, and I'm certainly no medieval scholar!).










Bonus Compilation: Sofia Georgovassili
This may not be up to everyone's interest - but I'm posting it anyway for its novelty. Sister Anthi has a secret - she's a Christian boy tucked away in the convent to avoid conscription. Despite the piety, painful adolescence draws Anthi to the janissary, instead of Sister Areti, her room mate who had been attracted to Anthi but not reciprocated. For obvious reasons, there are no topless scenes of Sister Anthi, because she is after all played by an actress, Sofia Georgovassili.



Scene Guide:

• Anthi resorts to self-flagellation to keep sexual thoughts at bay.
• We get to see who Anthi really is, when she cleanses herself in the bath.
• Anthi escapes the monastery along with the janissary, who had fancied her, but he soon gets a rude shock.
• This is a primeval scene - as far as I remember, there are no dialogues in the film from this point - it is nature taking its course henceforth, and even if the theme is homosexual, it is sensual all the same, certainly helped by the knowledge that Sister Anthi is after all played by a woman.

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Martina Gedeck & Gabi Fleming in "Das Leben der Anderen" [2006 Germany]

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's debut feature is what one would call an 'unqualified success'. "Das Leben der Anderen" [Eng. Title the Lives of Others] bagged a bucket-load of awards the following year including a BAFTA and an Oscar for best foreign language film.

Set during the last decade of East Germany, it captures the extraordinary lengths to which the government went, to snoop on people who it thought posed a threat to the system. Intellectuals were singularly targeted, and every aspect of their personal lives watched, listened, and scrutinised.

Acclaimed playwright Georg Dreyman is suspected of having political links with critics of the regime, and the Stasi decide to keep an eye on him. At around the same time, the Minister for Culture falls for Georg's partner and actress, Christa-Maria Sieland. He wants Georg to be 'found out' so he can keen Crista-Maria for himself, and asks the Stasi to wire-tap their apartment and listen to their every conversation. Hauptmann is the agent appointed for the job, and he takes up this assignment with customary professional enthusiasm. But the more he watches and listens to them, the more he is fascinated by them, and the more he sympathises with them. On occasions he even goes out of his way to record an alternate version of events in his day book, to protect them. The film follows events until the beginning of unified Germany. Apart from the political intrigue and suspense, there is great human drama in this simple and beautiful film. Ulrich Mühe who plays the Stasi agent Hauptmann gives a powerful performance, as does Martina Gedeck, who portrays Christa-Maria. The strength of the film lie in its screenplay, clear direction, and strong performances. Needless to say, Highly Recommended Viewing..!

The film also depicts some brief but essential sex and nudity, and the compilation below was made from my DVD, which also contained some additional footage among the extras.



Scene Guide:

• No nudity - Crista-Maria is groped by the Minister for Culture in his limousine. She is to put up with him every Thursday if she is to prevent action on Georg.
• Crista-Maria washing up on her return - Georg had just seen her getting off the minister's car, and is now aware of what's going on.
• Hauptmann reads a report prepared by his assistant while he was away, and is pleased to learn that this time Crista-Maria didn't keep to her Thursday appointment, deciding to stay with Georg instead.
• Crista-Maria lies to Georg after she returns home after two days of captivity, telling him instead that she was away with friends in the countryside where there wasn't a telephone. Just then, The Stasi come knocking at the door.
• Hauptmann with a prostitute at his home - played by the wholesome Gabi Fleming with utterly delightful breasts - she asks him to book for an extra hour next time.
• Some additional footage of the Gabi Fleming scene from a commentary among the DVD extras - it also includes some brief frontal nudity.

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