FOREIGN MOVIES: “The East.” / “Monster.” / “Queen of Hearts.” / “The French Teacher.”

“The East” a.k.a. “De Oost” (2020, Amazon Prime) Dutch war film, set in the Dutch East Indies of 1946 during the Indonesian National Revolution. Twenty-year-old soldier Johan de Vries is sent to Semarang, where the Dutch army says it is to liberate the Indonesian people from the authority of the dictator Sukarno. 



       The direction of Jim Taihuttu is comparable with Oliver Stone's “Platoon” (1986) and Stanley Kubrick's “Full Metal Jacket” (1987). I am maybe exaggerating but this movie jolts and jars beyond what most “white as hero” war movies. That war is indeed evil.

       And credits as well to the nuanced performance of Martijn Lakemeier as Johan. Conflicted, confused, desperate. 🎥💻📽


“Monster” (2019, Tubi) a.k.a. “Arracht,” Irish period drama, set during the Irish Famine in 1845. This movie tells the story of Colmán Sharkey, a fisherman and farmer, who is forced to go on the run after his helper commits multiple murders. Colman finds himself battling starvation, isolation, and the horrors of the famine--while trying to survive in a cave in an islet. A young girl, Kitty, becomes his focus and gives him a reason to survive. 


       As Colman, Dónall Ó Héalaí's commitment to the characters is unflagging, focused, and intense. Saise Ní Chuinn as Kitty balances the grim atmosphere of those desperate times. 

       This movie, written and directed by Tomas O Suilleabhain, is very sad or eerily depressing but well-made, and inspirational as well. 🎥👍📽


“Queen of Hearts” (2019, Tubi) Danish drama. A successful lawyer jeopardizes her family and career when she seduces her teenage stepson.

       The script by Maren Louise Käehne and May el-Toukhy isn't


really breathtaking as new. Although the movie won the Nordic Council Film Prize in 2019, Ms el-Toukhy's direction is obligatory and by-the-book. But the performance of Trine Dyrholm (as Anne, a lawyer in a sexual reawakening) exudes alluring contempt and fierce eroticism that can't be ignored. 🎥💻📽


“The French Teacher” (2019, Tubi) drama. A French teacher has her personal life transformed after she begins an affair with a student half her age. The present collides with the past, as long-buried family issues are unearthed in this complex, intergenerational drama.


       This movie won several awards. I don't know why. Smothered with stereotypical dialogue and low-grade acting. The sex scenes aren't even sexy. 🎭👎🎬

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