Little Black Book 2009-2010 - Cambridge University Students' Union

CUSU Little Black Book 2009 21Film from around the worldfilm about a man locked in a hotel roomfor fifteen years for an unknown motive,only to be suddenly released into aweb of conspiracy and strangeness.This South Korean film has even gotHollywood filmmakers on the move foran American remake. See it!Ali Zaoua - Prince of the Street(2000)This Moroccan crime drama tells thestory of a brave trio of homeless boyswho vow to bury their friend ‘Ali Zaoua’like a prince following his murder by thepetty crime gang they work for. As theydig deeper into Ali’s life and past theybegin to learn more about the real Ali.Filled with mystery, suspense, action,betrayal, drama, crime and even theoccasional random romance, what morecould you want?Tender is the Wolf (2006)This recent Tunisian film deals with theconsequences of the decisions of oneman, who failed to prevent his low-lifefriends from raping a woman. Exploringissues that are considered taboo in theArab world, this film recently won thebest Arab film of all time at the SanFrancisco festival.Lagaan (2001)This is one enthralling film and in factone of the only Indian films to (almost)get an Oscar. It is set at the beginningof the 20th century when India wasstill part of the British Empire. This filmis for those cricket lovers out there, afilm about teamwork, courage andovercoming authority; this film isexciting right until the last.Heritage… Africa (1987)You may have trouble getting yourhands on this film; it was even a struggleto make for the director, who had touse his own house as collateral for thebank to lend him money to create it.Ghana’s film industry was virtually nonexistentin the 80s when it was made,and isn’t based on the Nollywoodmethod, which thrives on witchcraftand wealth. The film won the Etalon D’orde Yennenga for best feature film andfocuses on the actions of the first blackdistrict Commissioner after Ghanaianindependence in 1955.Beautiful Washing Machine (2004)This exceptional film comes from anunlikely place, Malaysia. The countrynever was a movie powerhouse, alwaysbeing overshadowed by its far easternneighbours in Taiwan, Japan and China.However, this may be about to changewith young directors like James Leecoming on the scene. This dark yetfunny comedy is set in the fast changingcity of Kuala Lumpur and really is abouta washing machine (well, not entirely). Ayoung man, ‘Teoh’, buys a second-handwashing machine and after finding it hasa life of its own, Teoh looks to exploit hiswashing machine. I don’t want to revealtoo much here, watch it; there’s a goodtwist at the end too.