Bir zamanlar Anadolu'da (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia) (2011)

Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Writers:  Ebru Ceylan, Nuri Bige Ceylan, Ercan Kesal

Cast:      Muhammet Uzuner, Yilmaz Erdogan, Taner Birsel

Language: Turkish

A group of men set out in search of a dead body in the Anatolian steppes.

The film at two and half hours is a slow burner but it is a very rewarding experience. It is a masterpiece. It won the Grand Prix at Cannes. Back story is not given but a general picture of each of the character's inner turmoil is formed by the end. There are a couple of standout sequences, especially the one where the Mayor's daughter serves all of them tea, I guess.

Rating: 5/5

También la lluvia (Even the Rain) (2010)

Director: Iciar Bollain

Writer:    Paul Laverty

Cast:      Gael Garcua Bernal, Luis Tosar, Karra Eleejalde

Language: Spanish

As a director and his crew shoot a controversial film about Christopher Columbus in Cochabamba, Bolivia, local people rise up against plans to privatize the water supply.

It is made in a documentary style and the story is shown in a slightly metaphorical way to show history repeating itself. Good to see Gael Garcia Bernal that has no ego and takes a slightly lesser role in the film. One problem with the film is that it slightly lacks warmth. It is shot in exquisite locales in the Bolivian Andes.

Rating: 3.5/5