World Cup season is of course underway, and here at Sound on Sight we have decided to choose one film to represent each country in the running for the ultimate prize in professional sports. As the tournament takes places each time a country is eliminated we will also eliminate the movie representing that team. At the end of the month we will review the films on an episode of the Sound On Sight podcast matched to the countries finishing first, second and in third place. Here is the list of competitors from the first two groups. Good luck to the teams of all our listeners.
Group A
South Africa
Tsotsi (2005)
Directed by Gavin Hood
Set amidst the sprawling Johannesburg township of Soweto, this film won the Oscar for best foreign language film, and it is well deserved.
Mexico
Los Olvidados (The Young and the Damned) (1952)
Directed by Luis Buñuel
The film that Buñuel said reinvigorated his career, Los Olvidados still remains hugely influential, and a brilliant film.
Bad Day to Go Fishing (Mal dia para pescar) (2009)
Directed by Álvaro Brechner
Mal Día Para Pescar was an official selection in the 48th Cannes International Critic’s Week 2009. It also snatched up the both the Jury Award and Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at Cine Las Americas 2010.
France
La Règle du Jeu (The Rules of the Game) (1939)
Directed by Jean Renoir
Now often cited as one of the best French films ever made, Jean Renoir’s La Règle du jeu was originally withdrawn, recut, and eventually banned by the occupying forces for its “demoralizing” effects. It was not shown again in its complete form until 1965, when it became clear that it is perhaps, the greatest film ever made.
Group B
South Korea
Oldboy (2004)
Directed by Chan-wook Park
South Koran director Park Chan-wook combinines the sinister suspense of Alfred Hitchcock with the unrepentant violence of Quentin Tarantino, delivering an explosively exciting psychosexual revenge drama.
Argentina
The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) (2009)
Directed by Juan Jose Campanella
This Argentinian murder mystery lives up to its Oscar with an engrossing plot, assured direction, and mesmerizing performances from its cast.
Nigeria
The Amazing Grace (2006)
Directed by Jeta Amata
This is Nigeria’s first ever movie shot on 35mm film. Being their first effort, a lot of care and attention has been lavished on the production.
Greece
Dogtooth (Kynodontas) (2009)
Directed by Giorgos Lanthimos
The most original, challenging, and perverse film in recent memory, director Yorgos Lanthimos’s film is disquieting, provocative, darkly humorous, disturbingly strange and deliriously deranged.