The reviews in this series are meant for those who have already seen the films in question.
AMORE BANDIDO a.k.a. BELOVED LOVER
Brazil / Carnaval Unifilm, et.al. / 1978 / Color / 95 minutes / Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Read MoreHidden Gem #10: They Won't Believe Me (1947, U.S.A.)
Director: Irving Pichel
This guy's a revelation: A real fish in a noir desert. (See: Inspecting a Hidden Gem).
Hidden Gem #9: Amor Bandido a.k.a. Beloved Lover (1978, Brazil)
Director: Bruno Barreto
The streets are meaner than Scorsese's in this revved up melodrama where Romeo and Juliet meets A Short Film About Killing. (See: Inspecting a Hidden Gem).
Hidden Gem #8: Hunter in the Dark a.k.a. Yami no Karyudo (1979, Japan)
Director: Hideo Gosha
A one-eyed assassin with amnesia slices his way back to a haunted past in this exhilarating samurai gem.
Hidden Gem #7: The Fifth Seal a.k.a. Az ötödik pecsét (1976, Hungary)
Director: Zoltan Fabri
This devastating masterpiece begins like a Eugene O'Neill play, with some guys in a bar philosophising about torture, the relevancy of which hits us like a sledgehammer when later they are captured and tortured by the Nazis.
Hidden Gem #6: Hotel Pacific a.k.a Zaklete rewiry (1975, Poland/Czechoslovakia)
Director: Janusz Majewski
A diverse group of loveable characters converge at the Hotel Pacific's restaurant in this funny yet poignant little cinematic gem.
Hidden Gem #5: Police Python 357 (1976, France)
Director: Alain Corneau
A twist on the intriguing The Big Clock premise sets up a French "Dirty Harry" in this absorbing neo-noir thriller. (More here).
Hidden Gem #4: Mädchen in Uniform (1931, Germany)
Director: Leontine Sagan
Beautifully enacted and sensitive portrayal of a shy young girl sent to an all girls boarding school who becomes desperately enamored with one of her female teachers.
Hidden Gem #3: The Ascent a.k.a. Voskhoz hdeniye (1977, Soviet Union)
Director: Larisa Shepitko
A couple of Soviet soldiers fight for survival in this harrowing, religiously symbolic WW2 masterstroke full of indelible imagery. (More here).
Hidden Gem #2: Deep End (1970, UK/West Germany)
Director: Jerzy Skolimowski
A handsome young lad learns about obsessive and unrequited love the hard way in this unique and compelling retro coming of age gem.
Hidden Gem #1: The Swimmer (1968, U.S.A.)
Director: Frank Perry
"You loved it!"... Well you better love it since this dreamer's captivating, one of a kind and ultimately tragic journey home via his friends’ suburban pools is my favourite film of all time. (See: Inspecting a Hidden Gem).
A.G.
Hidden Gems #2 is here.
