Tag: cinema

I want us all to scream as loud as we can. “The Teachers’ Lounge” (“Das Lehrerzimmer”, 2023)

SashLeave a comment
directed by İlker Çatak
© 2023 Alamode Film. All Rights Reserved.

People say that teachers are privileged – they don’t always work full 8 hours per day, they have free summer holidays, they generally just show up and teach – nothing spectacular, right? Well, not really. Teachers are not only there to educate students, but also to support them and react to any unexpected situations that may occur at school. And that’s even worse than not having summer holidays. In this film we get to know Carla Nowak (Leonie Benesch), a dedicated teacher, who has to solve an uncomfortable issue. One of her new students is accused of theft, especially since the boy is found having a lot of money in his wallet. The staff are sure about his fault, but at the meeting with the child’s parents Carla finds out that it’s just his allowance. In order to clear the boy’s name, his teacher starts her own investigation and bumps into one of her colleagues stealing money. Carla tries to talk to the woman, but she aggressively denies doing anything wrong. The case ends up at the principal’s office, who takes the situation very seriously and puts the other woman on leave. That escalates into a big drama, especially, since the accused teacher’s son, Oskar (Leonard Stettnisch), is a student at the same school. Even though his mother is no longer around, the child has to deal with all the gossips, which makes it difficult for him to stand. At some point, he decides to turn Carla’s worklife into absolute hell, because she’s the one responsible for his mom’s dismissal. What she did was right, because otherwise, an innocent boy would be seen as a thief. However, now there’s Oskar, angry and helpless child, who just wants to save his mom. The general idea and the script are amazing, because it shows how powerless teachers can be at work. They often have to survives battles without any weapons, which leads to their professional burnout and negative influence on their private life. I find the ending absolutely touching, and if you want to see what it means to be a good teacher, you should consider this film an important lesson.

My rating: 8/10
S.

Well, murder can be an art, too. “Rope” (1948)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Alfred Hitchcock
© 1948 Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Give men a rope and they’ll come up with the most ridiculous thing ever… Today, I’d like to recommend you a film by the king of thrill, which is perhaps less popular than the screaming lady in the shower or the creep in the window (although I love both of those). In this story, we get to know Brandon and Phillip (John Dall & Farley Granger), two young men who decide to murder their friend. Apparently, that was a male hobby back then. Why do they want to commit the crime? Is this poor guy some enemy of theirs? Not at all. Brandon and Phillip want to prove that they are better than others and in order to feel so, they dream of a murder that nobody will even solve. It requires incredible intelligence, cleverness and control over oneself and everything else. After killing the victim with a rope (that’s the toy from the title!), they hide the body in a wooden chest and… organise a party in the flat. Insane? Oh yeah. But also quite intriguing. You see, committing a crime is easy, but playing with fire and controlling it – that’s a different story. The murderers feel incredible joy and pride seeing all the guests at the crime scene, so unaware and innocent… The rest is for you to see, but get ready for a psychological rollercoaster. Some may say that nothing really happens in the film, which is kind of true, but the real action takes place in the minds of the characters and also your own mind as a viewer. You may realise that no matter how long we analyse motives behind crimes, people will always suprise you with someting unique. It’s a great production for a longer discussion or a movie club. Also, Hitchcock played with fire himself because in the 1940s he managed to make a film about homosexuals. Well, it’s not officially stated anywhere in the script, but the crew working on the production had no doubts about their intentions. Although the actual criminals, Leopold and Loeb, who murdered a teenager in 1924 weren’t ever considered a romantic couple. Haven’t I mentioned that “Rope” is based on a real story? Well… are you surprised? Strage people have been here since forever, so you better watch out and check any possible chests.

My rating: 7/10
S.

I think I’m going to start loving my body actually a bit more. “Je m’appelle Agneta” (2026)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Johanna Runevad
© 2026 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

I can’t express how much joy this comedy brought me. Even though I’m younger than the main character, I was cheering her this whole time and hope to be equally brave when I’m older. Agneta (Eva Melander) is a Scandinavian middle-aged woman that loses her job and feels lonely despite being married. She makes a crazy decision to go to France and become an au-pair to some Swedish boy. Her husband finds it ridiculous, but Agneta wishes to experience a different culture and continue working. When she arrives in France, the boy turns out to be an elderly man named Einar (Claes Månsson). And indeed, he’s so eccentric that a caretaker is needed to keep him safe. At first Agneta gets scared and thinks of going home, but she decides to stay and try to get on with her ward. The longer she’s in France, the more familiar she becomes with its culture. Thanks to the friendship with Einar, the woman also rediscovers herself. Being a terrified housewife with numerous complexes is definitely not Agneta. It’s a beautiful and hilarous story reminind us that self-worth might be found at any stage of life. Of course, it’s best to find it early, but, as they say, better late than never. I wish everyone to see this film, because no matter who you are, we all need such good energy boost. I know it sounds cheap, but I mean it – life is too short to worry. What will you remember when you’re old? That you looked fat in that dress or that someone was staring at you doing something? Or will you remember all the cool things that you’ve achieved and experienced? I no longer recall most anxious thoughts of mine, but I do remember where I’ve been, what I’ve done and I feel so proud of myself for being that brave. Send this film to your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and also make sure to watch it yourself. Wish you a very joyful evening!

My rating: 7/10
S.

Every conversation I have about chess leads to anal beads. “Untold: Chess Mates” (2026)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Thomas Tancred
© 2026 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Do you think that chess is such a relaxing activity for the elderly? Sitting in the park on Sunday and chit-chatting while playing? Not at all, my dear, not at all. When I was little, I was taught to play chess by my neighbour, and I remember how fascinating it was to me. However, I feel like some people get obsessed with it too much. We often talk about addictions to alcohol or drugs, but having a passion that takes over our life might be equally dangerous. In this documentary, you get to meet players, for whom losing a game is unacceptable. Even if you’re not a fan of chess or you don’t really follow any news about it (like me), the film should still be quite entertaining for you. Imagine the World Champion, the guy that wins without much visible effort, who one day loses to a total newbie. Shame? Panic? Anger? Perhaps all three… Magnus Carlsen, unbeatable chess player lost a game in 2022 to Hans Niemann, a random player, known for his online activity. Hans liked to play chess on the Internet and stream his games, where he already presented himself as a clever opponent. However, despite all his admirable successes and techniques, there were many people accussing him of cheating. Magnus also didn’t trust Hans, especially, since he didn’t lose only once to him. The documentary lets us investigate and at some point we will even reach the topic of sex accessories. Who would have known that those cute nerdy chess players might be hiding a dirty little secret… But I don’t want to spoil too much, because I was shocked myself and I wish you to exprience the story in the same way. Perhaps some of you find a new motivation to learning this game… who knows?

My rating: 7/10
S.

Birdie Num Num. “The Party” (1968)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Blake Edwards
© 1968 United Artists. All Rights Reserved.

We need a bit of comedy to relax, right? Recently, I’ve been watching quite difficult productions and I feel like letting my brain have some days off. Today, I’d like to recommend you an adorable and horribly goofy film from the 60s, which is a proof that white people create irrational problems. But first, let me share a few words about the plot. Hrundi V. Bakshi (Peter Sellers) is an actor of Indian origin. He’s a bit clumsy and makes a huge mess on a film set. The head of the studio wants to write his name on the blacklist, but accidentally the actor ends up on the guest list of the upcoming party. Hrudi gets an invitation and accepts it, which means he ends up in a huge richman’s house with lots of vain white human parasites. It’s clear that it’s not the social level he’s used to and most interractions with others turn out quite funny. At some point, Hrundi meets Michèle (Claudine Longet), an aspiring actress, who doesn’t seem to be prejudiced against him purely based on his skin colour. The party continues and what comes out of it is for you to see. Many reviewers were outraged that someone dared to paint their face brown and pretend to be Indian. That’s so disrespectful! Mhm… yeah, and in the meantime, people in India loved the comedy. Even the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi recommended this film, praising it for Hrundi’s lines. And it’s true that the Indian actor is presented as a very good human being. Plus, in Bollywood productions they often make fun of themselves and nobody gets actually offended. So some white people should get the sticks out of their butts, sit on the sofa and enjoy a good laugh straight from the 60s.

My rating: 6/10
S.

It’s hell. “13 Days, 13 Nights” (“13 Jours, 13 Nuits”, 2025)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Martin Bourboulon
© 2025 Pathé. All Rights Reserved.

Since I’m an empath, watching this film was very painful. Generally, when I read news about the countries where people are being tortured or held in captive, I can’t believe it. How come I wake up in a safe house, go to work, have a full fridge and in case of emergency there are several hospitals in the city, and at the same time, on the same planet, somewhere there people wish to survive another day. Reality is the worst kind of sci-fi… This film is set in Afghanistan, where the Taliban take over the capital, Kabul. The US army withdraw, which means everyone there is in huge danger. Commandant Mohamed Bida (Roschdy Zem) is terrified with what’s happening on the streets and asks the French ambassador to let civilians entry the embassy grounds. Otherwise, the Taliban will murder them without hesitation. In order to help as many people as it’s possible, Bida cooperates with Eva (Lyna Khoudri), a humanitarian worker of French-Afghan origin. She becomes his personal translator between him and Taliban members, which is also very risky since she’s a woman. Despite best intentions, Bida will have to face the reality and make difficult decisions – either he saves a small group of people and let hundreds die at the closed gate, or he will break rules and perhaps, in case of some miracle, protect lots of civilians. This isn’t just a film showing how dangerous and uncontrolled religious cults are. We know that some people should really go to therapy instead of church or any place of such kind. But this story is more about helplessness of an individual person. No matter how dedicated one can be, the system always wins. And it’s heart-breaking that humans are segregated like trash. If you’re X, you have the right to live. If you’re Y, you have the right to be thankful for whatever happens. Political and religious wars take place in numerous countries, but there’s one common thing – unnecessary suffering of innocent people. Just some of them have a chance to escape, and others don’t. And all that based on their passport.

My rating: 7/10
S.

If you spot an anomaly, turn back immediately. “Exit 8″ (“8-ban deguchi”, 2025)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Genki Kawamura
© 2025 Toho. All Rights Reserved.

I’m not really a gamer type, but when I’ve heard of this film, I got curious. If you like mysteries and solving riddles, this might be something for you. We follow the Lost Man, who’s not yet lost, but is soon to be. The guy is taking a subway and while trying to exit the station, he… yes, you’re right! He gets lost. At first you might think it’s one of the London metro stations, because finding the way there is an adventure itself. But something seems off, because no matter what, the Lost Man keeps walking the same corridor. Or at least that’s what it looks like. At some point he realises, that sometimes there are some differences, called in the film anomalies, and it’s important to notice them. If the corridor is in its original form, you can keep going and the exit numbers will be changing from 0 do 8. However, each time, going from one exit to another, you need to pass the corridor. If you don’t spot the anomaly, you will again enter the corridor with exit 0 written on the wall. So, what to do? Simple, you need to focus and observe all the details, and if there’s a difference, you go back. Those anomalies can be of various kinds and at some point in the film (or in the game) you may start questioning your own mind. And what if you suddently meet a child in the corridor – do you help them or do you consider it an anomaly and go back leaving them behind? Yeah, we get to such moral choices as well. I don’t feel like playing the game, but the film was quite entertaining. Perhaps the ending could have been more exciting, but I also liked how they summed the story up (but no spoilers!). Besides, watching this film is a bit like watching a live stream of a gamer playing Exit 8. I encourage you to search for anomalies and see whether you would find the way out faster than the Lost Man.

My rating: 6/10
S.

The hopeless dream of being. “Persona” (1966)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Ingmar Bergman
© 1966 AB Svensk Filmindustri. All Rights Reserved.

Imagine being a lead actress in a big production and getting paid for saying just one word. I mean… where can I sign up? That was the case of Liv Ullmann, who played in “Persona”, got very famous for that and even ended up in a relationship with the director. Of course, I’m joking that all she did was just saying one word, because her role was extremely damanding, so take it as a fun fact, not an accusation. Ingmar Bergman is surely the most known film director from Sweden, who has given us multiple productions to admire and analyse for years… and still not understand. I mean, I bet nobody has come up with the exact idea that he had while making his films. He was creating stories for himself and as long as they made sense to him, they were fine. But what’s going on in “Persona”? We get to know Alma, a young nurse who’s been assigned to take care of Elisabet, an actress that has suddenly stopped speaking. In order to help Elisabet, they move to a cottage by the sea, so she has a better environment to heal in. Since the actress doesn’t say a word, she becomes a wonderful listener, which is something Alma has needed her whole life. The nurse opens up and shares all her deepest secrets, which she hopes to be kept by Elisabet to herself. Oh how wrong she is… I will not tell you what’s the meaning behind this story, because even Bergman didn’t want to share it. He wished for his audience to create their own versions, and I highly appreciate that. This way, no matter where you’re from or what social status you own, you may understand something different, yet important to you. And that’s the beauty of cinema. However, I may give you a hint of what I take from this production. To me, it’s about masking and constantly pretending someone we’re not. Still, this mask changes also based on the people we’re surrounded by. That is why, when Alma and Elisabet stayed together for so long, their masks started overlapping. And if you think about the number of people you meet in life, you may come up with a conclusion that your mask is absolutely nothing like your true self. Creepy? Well, welcome to Swedish cinema from the 60s! I still recommend you to see it and take whatever you see in this film. Bergman was a very specific artist and everyone should see at least one of his works.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Have you eaten? “Adam’s Sake” (“L’intérêt d’Adam”, 2025)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Laura Wandel
© 2025 Memento Distribution. All Rights Reserved.

If you want to see one of the most difficult jobs in the world, watch this production. Even though the description and the title focuses on Adam (Jules Delsart), the main character here is Lucy (Léa Drucker), the head nurse at a hospital. One of her patients is a little boy, who’s been malnutritioned and, after the court’s decision, he has to be hospitalised. However, his mother doesn’t want to leave the boy and tries to feed him the food of her choice. Lucy isn’t thrilled about her actions, but it is obvious that the boy loves his mother and he may refuse cooperation if he stays alone. The nurse tries to find the best solution to this situation, because kicking the mother out of the hospital is definitely not beneficial for either of them. Even if those are the rules. In the meantime, she has to take care of her other patients, each of whom is a totally different story. Lucy is very dedicated to her job and often uses all the possible powers to help the other person, even if their problems are not strictly medical. I have a huge respect towards nurses, especially after staying in several hospitals myself. Of course, sometimes there is a witch or two, who may stab you with a needle and ignore you for the whole day. But generally, the nurses I’ve met were real angels. Their mental support meant the world to me, especially since doctors tend to be sitting in their offices and making decisions based on papers. And I believe the biggest support you may receive is human presence and the feeling you’re not alone. You have to be a real badass to work as a nurse and I think we should appreciate them more. But one more thing about the film – it also gives a very strong argument for improving child’s support. Many children are maltreated, unwanted or too sick for parents to take care of them properly. Instead of “fighting for life”, let’s fight for children’s rights. Because forbidding abortions will not help a girl that is living with her immature and alcoholic parents, or a boy that has been abandoned due to his numerous diabilities. Can we finally think about children and not our beliefs or systems? I hope so…

My rating: 7/10
S.

He ain’t schtulpig. “Witness” (1985)

SashLeave a comment
directed by Peter Weir
© 1985 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Who would have thought that criminals want to catch an Amish boy… Interested? So let me tell you more. We’re going back to the 80s, where we can admire Indiana Jones in a bit different costume and role. Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) has to solve the case of an Amish boy, Samuel (Lukas Haas), who’s been a witness of a murder. The boy doesn’t recognise the murderer among the criminals he gets to see, but at some point he focuses on a police officer. When Book starts digging, he realises that the same officer has had some shady business with drug dealers. The more the detective analyses the case, the more he puts himself in trouble. It’s because several colleagues turn out to be untrustworthy, so it seems like Book has to count on himself only. And the Amish boy. Speaking of Samuel, since he recognises the murderer, his life is in danger. That is why Book drives the boy and his mother to their Amish community village, but due to unexpected events, he stays there for longer. I’m a sucker for those action films from the 80s, because they remind me of my childhood. This one is quite specific, because not only we get an exciting crime story to follow, but also there’s a culture and tolerance lesson there. The Amish are seen as extreme believers, who give up on common goods in order to life simply and in accordance with their values. To most of us it may seem ridiculous, but thanks to this film we may learn more about their community. I’m not saying you have to throw your mobile phone away and start milking cows in the middle of nowhere, but perhaps a bit of communication and understanding would be helpful for both sides. Anyway, Harrison is magnificent, as always, so there’s no way you will get bored watching this production. Make sure to find out who wins – corrupted police officers or a smart Amish boy?

My rating: 7/10
S.