ZA Nominated

The story centers on Diouana, a young Senegalese woman who is hired by a wealthy French couple to work as a nanny. At first, she is thrilled by the opportunity, seeing it as a way to escape the poverty of Dakar and experience a glamorous European lifestyle. Her excitement is heightened by her dreams of freedom and adventure in France.

When she arrives in Antibes, however, the reality is starkly different. Instead of being treated as a professional caretaker, Diouana is relegated to the role of a domestic servant. She is expected to clean, cook, and cater to the whims of her employers, while the promises of respect and opportunity fade away. Her employers show little regard for her humanity, treating her as an object of convenience and novelty.

The film begins with a series of seemingly unrelated and abstract images, including a film projector starting, a crucifixion, and a child in a hospital caressing a large, blurry face on a screen. These images set the tone for the film’s exploration of human consciousness and perception.

The story then shifts to focus on Elisabet Vogler (played by Liv Ullmann), an actress who suddenly becomes mute during a performance and has since remained silent, withdrawn from speaking and interacting with others. Elisabet’s psychiatrist sends her to a secluded seaside cottage to recover, accompanied by Alma (played by Bibi Andersson), a young, talkative nurse assigned to care for her.

As they spend time together, Alma speaks freely about her life, thoughts, and feelings to the silent Elisabet. Gradually, the relationship between the two women intensifies, leading Alma to confess intimate and troubling experiences from her past. Throughout this process, Elisabet remains mostly silent, becoming both a screen onto which Alma projects her own thoughts and a mirror reflecting her own identity.

The core of the film revolves around the psychological and emotional entanglement between Elisabet and Alma. As their identities begin to converge and blur, Alma becomes increasingly unstable, feeling that Elisabet is overtaking her identity. The boundaries between the two women diminish, leading to a haunting and ambiguous conclusion where their personalities seem to merge.

Themes:

“Persona” delves deeply into themes of identity, the human psyche, and the nature of reality versus illusion. The film explores the idea that individuals wear masks (“personas”) in social interactions, and it questions what happens when these facades break down. Bergman uses the relationship between the two women to probe ideas about the duality of human nature, the vulnerability of the self, and the existential loneliness of being.

The film is also noted for its stark, minimalist setting and cinematography, which reinforce the intense psychological drama unfolding between the characters. The innovative use of close-ups, cuts, and monologues blurs the lines between the characters’ identities, enhancing the film’s dream-like and surreal quality.

“Persona” is celebrated not only for its narrative and thematic complexity but also for its groundbreaking visual style and editing, which have influenced many filmmakers and remain a subject of study and admiration in the world of cinema.

“Society of the Snow” (Spanish: “La Sociedad de la Nieve”) is a film based on the real-life event of the 1972 Andes flight disaster, where Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed into the Andes mountains. This event is also the subject of the book “Out of the Silence: After the Crash” by Eduardo Strauch and Mireya Soriano, which provides a firsthand account of the survivors’ ordeal. The film likely draws from these accounts and focuses on the harrowing experience of the crash survivors, who were stranded in the Andes for 72 days under extreme conditions before being rescued.

Plot Synopsis (based on the historical event and the book):

The story begins with a Uruguayan rugby team, along with their friends, family, and supporters, boarding a flight to Chile for a match. However, their plane crashes in the remote Andes mountains, leaving survivors to face the brutal reality of their situation: isolated in the freezing cold, with limited food supplies and no hope of immediate rescue.

As days turn into weeks, the survivors are forced to make unimaginable decisions to stay alive. They face a series of life-threatening challenges, including avalanches, the harsh mountainous environment, and the psychological toll of their dire circumstances. One of the most controversial and ethically complex aspects of their survival strategy involves the decision to resort to cannibalism, consuming the bodies of deceased passengers to stave off starvation.

Throughout their ordeal, the survivors form a tight-knit “society” bound by the necessity to maintain hope, leadership, and the collective will to live. This society is characterized by its own rules, roles, and the immense solidarity among its members, as they are driven to the limits of human endurance.

The film likely explores the themes of survival, human resilience, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. It also delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of the survivors’ journey, highlighting the personal growth, changes in perspective, and the deep bonds formed through shared suffering.

“Society of the Snow” presents a gripping tale of survival that is both a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder of the value of life and the power of hope and determination in the most desperate situations.

“Gaslight,” released in 1944, is a psychological thriller film directed by George Cukor. The film is an adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play “Gas Light” and is a remake of the 1940 British film of the same name. It stars Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotten, and Angela Lansbury in her film debut. “Gaslight” is known for its atmospheric tension and exploration of psychological manipulation, a concept that has come to be known as “gaslighting.”

**Plot Synopsis**:

The film is set in Victorian-era London, where Paula Alquist (played by Ingrid Bergman) lives in the home of her aunt, a famous opera singer, who was mysteriously murdered. Traumatized by the event, Paula is sent to Italy to recover, where she pursues a career in opera and falls in love with a charming pianist, Gregory Anton (played by Charles Boyer). After a whirlwind romance, the couple marries.

Gregory convinces Paula to return to London and live in her inherited aunt’s house, the site of the murder. Once they move in, strange occurrences begin. Paula notices the gas lights in the house dimming without explanation and hears footsteps in the attic. Additionally, various items go missing, and she is led to believe by Gregory that she is forgetful and losing her sanity.

Gregory’s true motive is gradually revealed: he is the murderer of Paula’s aunt and is searching the house for valuable jewels he believes are hidden there. His psychological manipulation of Paula is part of his plan to distract and confuse her while he continues his search.

Brian Cameron (played by Joseph Cotten), a Scotland Yard inspector, becomes involved when he recognizes Paula as the niece of the famous opera singer. He becomes suspicious of Gregory and begins his own investigation into the strange happenings in the house.

The climax of the film reveals Gregory’s true identity and his criminal intentions. Cameron confronts Gregory, rescuing Paula and exposing the gaslighting to which she has been subjected. The film ends with Paula gaining the upper hand over Gregory, symbolizing her reclaiming her sanity and strength.

**Themes**:

“Gaslight” delves into the psychological manipulation and abuse that Paula endures, effectively illustrating how an abuser can undermine someone’s perception of reality. The film’s portrayal of this insidious form of manipulation has led to the term “gaslighting” being used in psychological circles to describe a similar kind of mental manipulation.

Ingrid Bergman’s performance, for which she won an Academy Award, is celebrated for its emotional depth and authenticity. The film itself is considered a classic in the psychological thriller genre and remains significant for its exploration of psychological abuse, manipulation, and the resilience of the human spirit.

David, known as “Tsotsi,” is a young man who leads a violent life in Johannesburg, leading a small gang of thugs who commit crimes to survive. His past is troubled, with a history of abandonment and abuse, leading him to become emotionally detached and ruthless. The film gradually unfolds his backstory, showing how he became the hardened criminal he is in the present.

One night, after shooting a woman and stealing her car, Tsotsi discovers her baby in the back seat. Instead of abandoning the infant, he unexpectedly takes the baby back to his shanty. This decision starts a transformational journey for Tsotsi. Over the next few days, his interactions with the baby bring forth suppressed emotions and memories from his childhood.

As Tsotsi struggles with caring for the baby, he enlists the help of a young widow named Miriam to breastfeed the child. Miriam, through her kindness and understanding, begins to influence Tsotsi, showing him that there’s more to life than violence and crime.

While the search intensifies for the baby by the police and the baby’s father, Tsotsi is faced with numerous moral dilemmas. He’s torn between his old life of crime and the potential for redemption.

The climax of the film sees Tsotsi confronted with a choice that could determine his future and the baby’s fate.

Themes:

“Tsotsi” delves deep into the theme of redemption and transformation. The film showcases the idea that no one is beyond saving and that the human spirit, no matter how broken, can find its way back to compassion and empathy. The bleak setting of Johannesburg’s slums serves as a stark backdrop to Tsotsi’s internal journey from heartlessness to humanity.

The film was widely acclaimed and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.

Swimming Pool is a 2003 psychological thriller film directed by François Ozon and starring Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier. The film is set primarily in the south of France and focuses on the relationship between a British mystery author and a young, enigmatic woman.

Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling), a successful British mystery writer, is feeling burnt out and uninspired. Her publisher, John Bosload (Charles Dance), offers her the use of his secluded vacation home in the south of France to help her relax and find new inspiration. Sarah reluctantly agrees and heads to the French countryside.

Upon her arrival, Sarah begins to enjoy the peace and quiet of the house and starts to make progress on her new novel. However, her tranquility is soon disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), John’s free-spirited, sexually provocative daughter. The two women initially clash due to their stark differences in personality and lifestyle, but as time goes on, they develop a complex and tense relationship.

As the days go by, Sarah becomes increasingly intrigued by Julie’s promiscuous behavior and starts to incorporate elements of Julie’s life into her novel. The line between fiction and reality begins to blur, and Sarah finds herself becoming more and more entangled in Julie’s world. This ultimately leads to a series of events that force both women to confront their darkest secrets and question their true selves.

Swimming Pool is a suspenseful and atmospheric thriller that explores themes of identity, desire, and the power of the creative process. The film is known for its visually stunning cinematography, strong performances from its lead actresses, and its enigmatic and thought-provoking narrative.

Shoplifters (2018) is a Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The film tells the story of a makeshift family living on the fringes of society, bound together by their shared struggles rather than blood relations. Shoplifters won the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time a Japanese film had won the prestigious award since 1997.

The story revolves around Osamu Shibata (played by Lily Franky), a part-time construction worker, and his wife, Nobuyo (played by Sakura Ando). The couple, along with their makeshift family, survives on low-paying jobs and shoplifting. One day, while Osamu and his young son, Shota, are out shoplifting, they come across a little girl named Yuri, who appears to be neglected and abused. Osamu and Nobuyo decide to take her in, despite their financial struggles.

As the family welcomes Yuri into their unconventional and loving home, secrets about the family members begin to surface, revealing their complicated pasts. The film explores themes of family, love, poverty, and morality, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes a family and prompting viewers to question societal norms.

Shoplifters is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film, praised for its sensitive storytelling, nuanced character development, and outstanding performances by the ensemble cast.

Midsommar (2019) is a psychological horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. The movie stars Florence Pugh as Dani, a young woman who is struggling with the recent loss of her family in a tragic accident. Alongside her boyfriend, Christian (played by Jack Reynor), and his friends, Dani decides to join a trip to Sweden to attend a rare midsummer festival held by a remote commune.

Upon arrival, the group is initially captivated by the idyllic setting, the welcoming community, and their unique customs. However, as the festival progresses, they soon discover that the seemingly innocent rituals and traditions have a darker and more sinister side.

Midsommar explores themes of grief, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships. The film is notable for its unsettling atmosphere, striking visuals, and vivid color palette, which is unusual for the horror genre. Florence Pugh’s powerful performance as Dani received widespread acclaim, and the movie has been praised for its thought-provoking and deeply disturbing narrative.

While Midsommar is not a conventional horror film, it effectively uses psychological tension and disturbing imagery to create an unsettling experience that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended.