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Reviews
Altovaya sonata. Dmitriy Shostakovich (1981)
Superb documentary
This is a powerful and moving documentary about the life and death of Dimitri Shostakovich. It uses documentary footage, archive materials and contemporary footage of places where Shostakovich lived and worked. As befits a documentary about a major composer the music is integral to the film and is illuminated by the visuals. Extracts from his symphonic works are used and also from his chamber music including the last work he wrote but never heard in performance. Although it was distressing to see Shostakovich towards the end of his life looking ill and haunted the documentary is life affirming in the sense that the music lives on and continues to enrich our lives.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
A powerful and beautiful movie
This film is one of Ang Lee's best with superlative performances by the 4 main characters. It is beautiful to look at and emotionally wrenching. The relationship between Ennis and Jack is realised superbly and it is very moving to see how it develops over the years. Whilst the film articulates what was probably a reality for some men defined as cowboys I wouldn't describe this as a gay movie. It is a film about relationships and the importance of sustaining those you love. Within the particular times and circumstances these two men manage with difficulty to sustain their relationship against the odds for a long time. It is very clear that they live within a violently homophobic culture, unfortunately a culture that still exists in various places throughout the world, and for me that is one of the strengths of the film that we see so clearly how hard it is for these men to express their feelings to each other let alone anyone else that are involved with. I look forward to seeing this magnificent film again.