Children Of Heaven
Majid Majidi
This is the touching story of two precious children who make their world a heaven with their love for each other. Like most of Majidi's films this one also ends on a note of hope. The young boy, the hero of the film, triumphs despite odds. A must-see for everyone who likes children.
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter And Spring
Kim Ki Duk
A modern classic that draws a parallel between changing seasons and human life, it is the story of a Buddhist monk and his disciple — at first a child, then a disgruntled adolescent, a young man accused of murder and at last a monk like his teacher. The seasons, draw a brilliant parallel to the cyclical nature of human life. The film is a masterpiece with its exquisite frames of human nature and Nature in all its beauty.
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Life is Beautiful
Roberto Benigni
An unforgettable fable on love, family and imagination, this film is set during the early years of World War II. A quick-witted, imaginative young man tries to save his family from a concentration camp. With his endless imagination, he makes his child believe that it is all a game. Brilliantly made and wonderfully acted it is a film you'll fall in love with.
Dreams
Akira Kurosawa
A modern classic by the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, the film is a set of short films titled as dreams. All these dreams are connected with a thematic thread and deal with a wide range of themes from ancient mythology, patriotism and love for Nature, to love for humanity, industrial pollution, and the threats of modern science. Exquisite camera work and picturisation make this film surreal.
Unbreakable
Manoj Night Shyamalan
Most Night Shyamalan's movies are based on fantasy themes. In this Bruce Wills film, the story of cartoon based characters is delineated. The hero, who is unbreakable (physically) is chased by a fragile-bodied, cruel minded villain. The climax reveals the real face of the villain and Night Shyamalan's tight hold on the mystery is remarkable.
Those that almost made it:
The Pursuit Of Happiness: Gabriel Muccino
3 Iron: Kim Ki Duk
Run Lola Run: Tom Tykwer
Apocalypto: Mel Gibson
Cinema Paradiso: Guiseppe Tornatore
Binuraj R.S. lives in Thiruvananthapuram and is a research student of African literature at the University of Kerala.