Change Your Image
hjansen-3
Reviews
Transylvania (2006)
TranSylvania is another world
TranSylvania is a patch work film. It is built up of strong unforgettable separate scenes. The story isn't that spectacular. What makes the film special? Very strong and convincing acting. Beautiful memorizing music. Emotional outbursts. Excellent photography. The somberness of the time of the year perfectly supports the mood. Beate Palya has an unbelievable voice and the combination with the haunting tarogato is brilliant. The happy end is exactly the same as the one of Gadjo Dilo. The film looks like a fantasy, a dream. Absurd surrealism. But all this really might occur in Transylvania. Comparing TranSylvania with Tony Gatlif's earlier films, I tend to say that this is the crown on his work. All the patches fit so well together that is is even stronger that Exils (which is more of a real story).
Zivot je cudo (2004)
absurd and funny
I do not understand any of the languages used in the film. No sub-titling. I didn't get the full story. It still was a joy to watch because of everything being unexpected and surprising. Is the film a caricature of life? It certainly is. It pulls our legs. Shows us the mirror. I am certain that Salvador Dali and Frederico Fellini would have enjoyed this film very much. Charlie Chaplin too? I think so. For someone who does not understand the language the film may be a bit long. However, it is absolutely impossible to stop the video player. The next surprise is just around the corner. The film made me think a bit of the Dutch movie "The Pointsman" (de wisselwachter). "Life is a Miracle" has more intensity, though.