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UMBERTO D., from director Vittorio De Sica, is a simple, heartbreaking tale about the life of an elderly pensioner. Penniless and alone, with only the maid (Lina Genneri) from his rooming house and a devoted dog for companionship, the old man (Carlo Battisti) contemplates suicide. But then one day, a ray of hope pierces his bleak existence, and everything changes. This careful observation of one man's attempt to keep his dignity in the face of a hostile society is one of the pearls of Italian post-war cinema.DVD Features:Region 1Keep CaseFull Frame - 1.33Single Side - Dual LayerAudio: Dolby Digital Mono - ItalianAdditional Release Material: Featurettes - 1. THIS IS LIFE: VITTORIO DE SICA Interview - 1. Maria Pia Casilio - StarText/Galleries: Essay - 1. Stuart Klawans - Film Critic and Historian
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Unwanted Woman (DVD)
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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Hou Hsiao-Hsien, one of China`s greatest filmmakers, honors the memory of the great Yasujiro Ozu in the beautiful CAFI LUMIERE. Like Ozu, Hou tries to capture honesty and reality in the film, which stars pop idol Yo Hitoto as Yoko, a young woman who makes her way through life almost casually, not letting anything get her too upset or too excited. She regularly visits Hajime (Tadanobu Asano) at his small bookstore, where he orders books and CDs especially for her; she has a particular interest in the Chinese composer Jiang Ewn-Ye. She returns home to visit her stepmother (Kimiko Yo) and father (Nenji Kobayashi), who care about her and love her but never take interest in her life. In fact, the characters in the film prefer superficial relationships, that may have some meaning but are not very deep.
Yoko seems happiest, or at least most at home, when she`s on a train, heading somewhere else; she`s never quite content in the moment itself. Hou`s film is gorgeous to watch, with long, well-framed shots featuring natural sound and lighting. The story plays out slowly, mimicking real life, with little artifice. There are no big crescendos or dirty secrets unfolding, just a charming, compelling tale about everyday characters doing everyday things.This film was included in the 42nd New York Film Festival organized by the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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La Historia Del Principe (DVD)
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MERCI POUR LE CHOCOLAT, a beautifully crafted and delectably delivered mystery suspense story directed by Claude Chabrol, stars the icy Isabelle Huppert as Mika, the perfect wife, mother, and career woman who runs a chocolate factory passed down from her father. But something is amiss. Mika has recently remarried the famous concert pianist Andre Polonski (a handsome, charming Jacques Dutronc), whose second wife died tragically. While that dark event hangs unpleasantly over their heads, it is Mika who tries to make things work again, lavishing praise upon her husband and her teenage step son, Guillaume (Rodolphe Pauly), and serving them homemade hot chocolate every evening. Meanwhile, Jeanne (Anna Mouglalis), a young woman who was born on the same day in the same hospital as Guillaume, delights in her natural gift for playing the piano, eager to learn more. When Jeanne hears a strange story about how, on the day of her birth, she was momentarily confused as Andre Polonski's baby, she cannot dismiss the bizarre coincidence of her talent for piano, and wonders if somehow she is his true daughter. Curious, she goes to Andre's house where she becomes tangled in Mika's chocolate web. Dense with symbolism and subtle, brilliant camerawork, MERCI POUR LE CHOCOLAT is Claude Chabrol's 48th film, another masterpiece adding to long list of excellent films including LES BICHES, LA CEREMONIE, and MADAME BOVARY.DVD Features:Region 1Keep CaseAnamorphic Widescreen - 1.66Single Side - Dual LayerAdditional Release Material: Introduction - 1. Claude Chabrol - Director Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer






2. Additional TrailersText/Galleries: Stills/PhotosInteractive Features: Scene Access
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
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