Shotgun Stories
Set in a small town in Arkansas, this film tells the story of three abandonded brothers known only as Son, Boy and Kid. Bitter and full of revenge, Son interrupts his father's funeral to the disgust of his fathers "other" family - a gang of violent brutes. A gruesome and dark feud begins between the boys who are all linked by their father.
With a soundtrack from Lucero, this film used a mixture of super8 style shooting with architypal south american landscape scenes. It is visually stunning, and this blends with the tragic occurances that change the brothers' lives forever.
Dersu Uzala
Winner of the Best Foreign Picture Oscar in 1976, Dersu Uzala is a gentle, ageing hunter who comes across a Russian military expedition whilst in the unexplored regions of Siberia. Uzala (played by acclaimed Russian actor Maxim Munzuk) saves the lives of the soliders and has a great impact on their Captain who returns to seek him.
The shooting of this film was definately ahead of it's time, there is still an element of wonder in the imagery but unfortunately the storyline wasn't for me and I found myself willing it to end quicker than it did.
