"Bist" ("Twenty")
An Iranian film about an emotionally detached restaurant owner and his employees leading up to the closing of the cafeteria in twenty days.
Gruff and demanding when we first meet the owner we watch as he grows in his humanity as he realizes how much the restaurant means to his disparate group of employees.
A slow and gentle pace allows this film to gain strength and have a lasting impact.
The owner decides in the end not to sell the restaurant but for him this will be his last decision.
Nicely done.
"Villa Amalia"
This French film stars actress Isabelle Huppert.
A selfish and pretentious tale of a woman who leaves her long-term companion of 15 years and her career as a performing pianist to “find” herself.
Pointless.
I had no emotional connection whatsoever with this lead character or this film.
