#195 – A Prophet, (Un prophète), 2009, Jacques Audiard
Sentenced to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena is alone in the world and can neither read nor write. On his arrival at the prison, he seems younger and more brittle than the others detained there. At once he falls under the sway of a group of Corsicans who enforce their rule in the prison. As the ‘missions’ go by, he toughens himself and wins the confidence of the Corsican group.
JUMBO CACTUAR APPROVED FILM
#203 – The White Ribbon, (Das weisse Band), 2009, Michael Haneke
Strange events happen in a small village in the north of Germany during the years just before World War I, which seem to be ritual punishment. The abused and suppressed children of the villagers seem to be at the heart of this mystery.
#205 – Life Is Beautiful, (La vita è bella), 1997, Roberto Benigni
A touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own little fairy tale. His creative and happy life would come to an abrupt halt when his entire family is deported to a concentration camp during World War II. While locked up he tries to convince his son that the whole thing is just a game.
#206 – Rome, Open City, (Roma città aperta), 1945, Roberto Rossellini
ROME, OPEN CITY is a landmark in film history. Filmed in secrecy during the Nazi occupation of Italy, the film shows a realistic portrayal of the underground resistance in Italy in 1945. The film has strong impacting imagery with its mix of fiction and reality that strengthened Italian Neo-realism and the film industry.
JUMBO CACTUAR APPROVED FILM
#224 – Contempt, (Le Mépris), 1963, Jean-Luc Godard
A philistine in the art film business, Jeremy Prokosch is a producer unhappy with the work of his director. Prokosch has hired Fritz Lang (as himself) to direct an adaptation of “The Odyssey,” but when it seems that the legendary filmmaker is making a picture destined to bomb at the box office, he brings in a screenwriter to energize the script. The professional intersects with the personal when a rift develops between the writer and his wife.
#231 – The Godfather: Part III, 1990, Francis Ford Coppola
In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don, Michael Corleone seeks forgiveness for his sins while taking a young protege under his wing.
#240 – Ossessione, 1943, Luchino Visconti
Gino, a drifter, begins an affair with inn-owner Giovanna as they plan to get rid of her older husband.
#264 – Once Upon a Time in America, 1984, Sergio Leone
A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan over thirty years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.
JUMBO CACTUAR APPROVED FILM
#274 – PlayTime, 1967, Jacques Tati
Clumsy Monsieur Hulot finds himself perplexed by the intimidating complexity of a gadget-filled Paris. He attempts to meet with a business contact but soon becomes lost. His roundabout journey parallels that of an American tourist, and as they weave through the inventive urban environment, they intermittently meet, developing an interest in one another. They eventually get together at a chaotic restaurant, along with several other quirky characters.
#281 – Belle de Jour, 1967, Luis Buñuel
Beautiful young housewife Séverine Serizy cannot reconcile her masochistic fantasies with her everyday life alongside dutiful husband Pierre. When her lovestruck friend Henri mentions a secretive high-class brothel run by Madame Anais, Séverine begins to work there during the day under the name Belle de Jour. But when one of her clients grows possessive, she must try to go back to her normal life.
Jumbo Cactuar Film Index 