This was completely expected. ha
“This was completely expected. ha”
unfortunately.ho.
well, Russia now meet China in the 1/4 finals, both living up to their seeding (even if China went the roundabout route). When i saw the Russian picks, well, yes it did look a likely win. The question is how much have they got left in the tank, can they even make the final?
I loved “Diary for my Children” and would have definitely voted for it against the two other Russian films, but “Mirror” is the Garry Kasparov among world cup films.
Russia still has Mikhalkov’s masterpieces to use,still has plenty of the early Soviets,still has many 70’s hidden treasures,Panfilov,German,Tavrog,The Banishment….but i suppose Tarkovsky will show up forever,huh? :P
“Mirror” is the Garry Kasparov among world cup films."
nice one Apu but i think Hour of the Furnaces would have been Steinitz of the chess players,hehe.
I know that Jorge is quite fond of Tarkovsky and calls him his only real favorite director alongside Parajanov, so I suppose that he´s going to continue to make use of him. But I told him that we´re also looking for interesting discoveries, so let´s see what he´s going to select for us.
I didn’t get to see Diary for My Children. Hopefully I will, but The Mirror, for all its stark beauty, left me with the feeling that it’s two different movies fighting to belong together, but never being able to do so. I saw it twice and twice I got the same feeling.
The Hungarian manager surveys the battlefield, and is pleasantly surprised that he avoided a complete humiliation. Getting even 4 votes out of The Mirror match up is a major surprise, so it is with a resigned air that he receives the sack.
Good luck to Russia.
no sacking with this one: the manager did a great job, but Russia simply had greater resources
The fix was in.
Congratulations to Russia, whose strong film line-up would be difficult for any team to surmount. It seems that Tarkovsky is perhaps the most successful director in the event and unstoppable against any contender. He even knocked off Bergman in Round 1. We will have to see if he is picked again in the next round. Luckily for Russia’s manager, even though he did a small number of films, those he did are so good that they could beat almost any film put against them. A bit unfair, really.
I thought Hungary’s choices in both rounds were outstanding. I have seen so many wonderful films now thanks to Ozufan’s selections, including a colour Tarr masterpiece in this very round. As I mentioned in the voting, I was very taken with the whole presentation of Diary for My Children and hope to see more films by this director.
It really was too bad that we had to choose between these two film powerhouse nations, but that’s the brutal nature of this event. Thanks again for all the selections. In general, I personally prefer films from Russia and Eastern Europe to almost any other area. They are dark, brooding, and complex – just like the history and cultures involved.
Hungary winner cinema nimrod antal
Moderated
Moderated
Moderated
But never forget, it’ll always be an even split between THE ROUND-UP and SHADOWS OF (OUR) FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS for awesome moustaches and fur coats.
Kenji
RUSSIA 2 1/2 HUNGARY 1/2
Mirror 15 Diary for my Children 4
Burnt by the Sun 8 Almanac of Fall 8
Tale of Tales 9 The Witness 6
Russia 32 votes Hungary 18 votes