Eaux Fortes - Rémi Chayé (2012)

When a tsunami destroys a whole town, a young man is feeling the change of things and the consequences. A surrealistic and enormous animation.

EAUX FORTES from rémi chayé on Vimeo.

Outrage (2010)

The Sanmo-kai chairman learns that his henchman, Ikemoto has struck an alliance with the drug-dealing Murase family. Itomo is the violent substitute of Ikemoto that handles all the tough work, killing anyone under his command. The situation is critical as both Murase's and Iketomo's gangs start a killing orgy and try to prevail on each other. But the big boss has other plans and wants to betray both of them so he tries to convince Ozawa, Ikemoto's henchman to clean up the mess and handle on his own. Itomo's gang blackmails an African ambassador to move out in another place so they can use his past one as an illegal casino. They make him serve them as they point him as the main suspect for a fake killing. A corrupted cop is the last chance for Itomo to survive after the rivals begin. There is no escape though for anyone as they are all parts to a deadly game of betrayal. Kitano Takeshi directs and plays at the same time. Good production, as raging violence make this Yakuza style film work just fine.

Source code (2011)

When we die, it is an occasion that our brain is still functioning for eight minutes. When Colter Stevens, a soldier who was killed during the war in Afghanistan, wakes up in an isolated place, he soon understands that he is serving his country at another post. He is now part of a secret experiment, called Source Code that can put someone in another person's consciousness during the last 8 minutes of their life. He is placed to Sean Fentress body and tries to stop a terrorist act at the train he is a passenger to. He will try to find and deactivate the bomb that is placed somewhere in the wagon and also find the identify of the terrorist who plans a second hit at the heart of Chicago city. Goodwin, an army officer stands along him and tries to help him through his difficult mission. A cool sci fi film that will satisfy you with its enjoyable and working direction.

Quest (1996)

This extraordinary puppet animation, directed by Tyron Montgomery and written by infamous Thomas Stellmach, won the Academy Award for the Best Animated Short Film in 1996. In quest of water, a sand puppet leaves the sand world in which it lives. It wanders through other worlds made of paper, stone and iron, following the sound of dripping water. In the end the sand puppet manages to reach the water ... in a very tragic way. A tough way to find the reason of its own existence through an adventurous trip to alternative worlds. Recommended!

Hibotan bakuto aka Red Peony Gambler (1968)

This one is another amazing Pinky film of the 70s Japanese production. It is about honor and independence. It is mid Meiji period. Ryuko Yano aka miss Oryu the red peony gambler is a lone wanderer on the move. Her only companions are her sword and her pistol. She is looking for revenge on those that killed her father. The story begins at a gambling hall where Oryu accuses Ebimasa as a thief. Fujimatsu observed the game and found a fraud in the tarf and his clan challenge Iwazu clan. After the gambling game, Naoki Katagiri saves Oryu from troubles while fighting Ebimasa's gang. She now seeks for the owner of a wallet found beside her dead dad who was also a clan leader at another providence. But what is the secret of this wallet? Her uncle gains the territories of her Yano clan as she stops having any more business. Fugushin is a loyal companion to her even if he now stays with Kumatora clan. Otaka of Okamura clan is Iwazu's wife. Oryu manages to shettle things for both clans ceasing fire. Kozo Kakuai is Sennarri clan's boss and ready to engage Fujimatsu after paying for her depts. But it is not the only secret he keeps though. His gang also kidnapp Otaka's son and want her to promise that she will stop interfere with Senarri's business in Dojima. Things are going to be settle by an enormous battle at the end. Beautiful images, stunning cinematography and an excellent soundtrack make this film a classic Pink for fans and not only.

The next three days (2010)

John Brennan's life is going to change when his wife Lara get's arrested for murdering her boss. All the evidences point her as the main suspect and she is sentenced to imprison for life. John will do everything and try to find solutions but his despair grows year after year. He starts thinking to release her even illegally. So he contacts with outlaws and plans an escape for her. He has to race against the clock and find money to complete the risky operation. Russell Crowe is a good actor and he proves it again on this great film. Direction is fast and working and makes this simple story working even better. A fine work, full of intense and suspense. Well done!

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)

Back in the Second World War we find colonel John Lawrence as a prisoner to a Japanese camp, trying to communicate with the enemies. As he was living in Japan a couple years ago, he is the only one to understand the Japanese culture and trying to survive and help his comrades. Japaneses are cruel and sergeant Hara is a ruthless, dedicated to his nation man. At the other side, captain Yonoi seems to be more sophisticated but he is also a passionate army man who wants the best for his country. When a new prisoner, fearless Jack Celliers, comes there, Yonoi admires his courage and tries to keep him alive. But things are not easy for the prisoners and tension is all around. A great war drama about different cultures, human wills and brave behaviors. David Bowie's acting really well, Ryûichi Sakamoto's composing even better. A classic film for people who love freedom of the mind.

Drive (2011)

A driver works in different places through day and night. At day he works as a garage mechanic and sometimes as a Hollywood stuntman. But at night he is an outlaw, driving for robbers. He is flirting with a young woman who lives at the same building but she has her own problems. Her husband is going to be released from jail soon and he still has problems with the mafia as he own some money for his protection. Meanwhile, our driver sets up a deal with a gang and things get more complicated soon. A slow film becomes a powerful and bloody dynamite. The driver is a character mysterious, you can't easily see through him. A film full of 80s memories, especially in cinematography, that sometimes reminded of me video clips that it shouldn't. But in the end you will be satisfied from the direction and the plot as our hero drives into hell, in a dark way, alone without fear.

Drive In Snackbar Intermission for Fresca

Enjoy your snacks and drinks between our program!

A greek tragedy (1986)

Another hand drawn animation from the Belgian club. Sarcastic and funny as well, it won the Oscar back in 1986 even if it was one of the most unusual for this prize ever. It even had a great competitor as Luxo, Jr. from Pixar studios that was a ground breaking video for its era.

A separation (2011)

Can two different egos stay together? Isolation, sadness,despair. Two young people, Nader and Simin decide to divorce after fourteen years of marriage. Termeh, their daughter tries to understand their reasons. Nader's father suffers from Alzheimers and its situation is critical. Nader hires Razieh, a poor pregnant woman to look after his sick father. She comes with her little daughter but she has some domestic problems and as she is a deeply religious person, she has a strange behavior. After a small fight with Nader due to a misunderstanding, she loses her unborn baby and things get complicated. This movie seems so real that you think you know these persons, the direction is just perfect and the story is dramatic enough to make you nervous before the end. An excellent gem from Iran that won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film of the year. Bravo!

127 Hours (2010)

This is an amazing film about one of the most brave people I have ever seen on the big screen. And its story is true my friends. It is about the courage of mountain climber's Aron Ralston. He liked to have fun during excursions to wild life near the canyons in Utah. But one day he forgot to inform anybody about his small trip. And when he gets trapped from a rock who falls on his hand, he understands the meaning of life and considers about it. He thinks about several ways to imprison himself but before the end, he decides to cut his own arm and being released from this terrible experience after five whole days. An adventure for the mind and the soul, the power to overestimate death and be the winner after all. After 'Slumdog Millionaire', Danny Boyle directs an incredible film and James Franco gives us a tremendous act.

Le Havre (2011)

Another great gem from the infamous Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki that shined in Cannes and other cinema festivals last year. Marcel Marx is a poor shoe shiner who fights for his family survival near the port city of Le Havre. He also cares about his sick woman who enters the hospital after cancer diagnosis. When police discovers a group of illegal immigrants, a young boy, Idrissa manages to escape and tries to find a way to reach England. Marcel finds him freezing alone and decides to help him at any cost to find his way. A detective is chasing them but at the end, the possibilities for Idrissa to run away are positive. Excellent cinematography and beautiful bright colors. Instead of its slow sometimes rhythm, this film works really well.

The Vegan Vampire (1928)

This was a funny idea that turned out to be a clever short about a vegetarian vampire. Every time the creature wanted to feed its hunger with blood, it turned being sick and threw up. Until its tragic end!

Orange Shasta Frankenstein (1971)

Who could imagine that the best servant could be the famous monster of Frankenstein? A funny short where the ugly hero is sent by its master to pick up the goodies from the store market!

Rawhead Rex (1986)

Can it be one of the worst horror films ever? YES...Can it be one of the most rediculous monsters out there? Yes also...It's a pitty that this pain in the ass, is an adaptation of a novel from the legendary author Clive Barker and it turned out to be a catastrophe. The whole story is about a demon, Rawhead Rex, who is released from its grave in the Irish woods. It starts killing everybody around. Howard Hallenbeck is visiting the area with his family, capturing shots for his book and tries to investigate the mysterious deaths. But when his son is being killed by the vicious monster, he gets crazy and struggles to find it. Rawhead also has the power to hypnotize people and let them serving him. It was a remarkable film that I wish I will forget as soon as possible. Watch it if you dare.

Space stallions (2011)

Do you remember our beloved animations we used to watch at the 80s? Stuff like Thundercats, He-man and Voltron? This cool gem is dedicated to all the fans around. Enjoy!

Space Stallions from The Animation Workshop on Vimeo.

The reflecting skin (1990)

Little Seth lives his childhood playing around with his friends, Kim and Eben. After his father's loss who was a coward that always being accused for his past relationship with a younger boy, he has to deal with his abusive mother. He uses his imagination more than he should and that leads him to a fantastic world where an evil woman lives beside their neighborhood and he thinks she is a vampire. When his brother, Cameron, returns from the army, he falls in love with the strange widow and now Seth tries to involve into their relationship in order to save him. When his friends are founded murdered, he will take a hard lesson about avoiding reality. This nice attempt was the first one for director Philip Ridley. Viggo Mortensen was also delivered a dramatic character well.

Snake fist of a buddhist dragon (1983)

After the Ming dynasty falls, the descendents of the former government establish an underground party called Chunji-dang in hopes of rebuilding a new Ming. They gather and hide away large amounts of gold to be used for funds later. They tattoo the secret hiding place on a young boy and girl, Hae-wol and Ka-hwa. After some time passes, Wu Pa-ja plans to kill all the members of the Chunji-dang. As he kills them off one by one, he finds out about the secret of the tattoos. On the other hand, Pa-ja captures Bu Rok-sa from the region of Sunam-kum. Rok-sa is about to hang both Pa-ja and Ka-hwa, when Hae-wol learns of this. Hae-wol goes to the execution site and engages in a desperate fight. He rescues his father and his betrothed. This was a really bad experience for my eyes. Direction and cinematography was not here as also acting and dubbing was awful.

Hambuster (2010)

Maybe on of the best animations I have ever seen. The total experience of Hambuster where a mighty food lover fights against the terrible mutants hams who destroy the city and attack to the human kind, vanishing everything and growing bigger and bigger. Absolut funny bloodbath. Check out also the references to great past flicks.

Den brysomme mannen (2006)

Adreas arrives in the middle of the desert and meets a man who drives him into a city. There is a successful life waiting for him. A proper job and a stylish way of life are the promising aspects. But soon he understants that something wrong happens there. People act like robots, without expressing feelings to anything. The other point is that there are no kids anywhere and he thinks that there can be a possibility to find someone to share his thoughts with. But after several attempts, he is being depressed and even death doesn't help. How can he escape from this nightmare? A sarcastic gem from Norwegian Jens Lien that will make you think and trouble about the positives of the Western civilisised living as we know it. With loads of black humor and a little bit of gore, allegories and a touch of Kafka, it disturbed my mind . I hope yours too.