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Lynda
Del Sasso previews this month's new films
Roberto
Stucco
France 2001, Cert. 15
Director: Cedric Kahn
Star Rating * * *
 Lea
(Isild Le Besco), a naïve young high school student,
meets Kurt (Stefano Cassetti) at a dance in the south
of France during her summer holidays. A romantic relationship
develops, and after Lea returns to her home in the mountains
of Savoy, Kurt regularly makes the trip to visit her.
Lea is bemused by Kurt's sometimes odd behaviour, until
she notices his photograph on a police 'wanted' poster.
A series of burglaries, muggings, abductions and murders
have occurred along the route from the Mediterranean to
Savoy.
One glance at the publicity ads and posters for this film,
featuring the intensely staring eyes of actor Stefano
Cassetti in the lead role, is enough to convey who the
murderer is. But of course, innocent girlfriend Lea doesn't
recognise insane menace when she sees it, so Roberto aka
Kurt continues his mad crime spree until the police finally
catch up with him.
Based
on a true story, with a script adapted by director Kahn
(L'Ennui) from a stage play by Bernard-Marie Koltes, which
was in turn adapted from a book by Pascale Froment, and
filmed in glorious Cinemascope because, according to the
director: "Succo is such a loner, lost in the wilds
of nature," the depiction of the criminal acts is
fairly detailed. Indeed it is taken from eye-witness reports.
Unfortunately, anything not witnessed and documented at
the time has been omitted - a self-imposed directorial
decision - which leaves the character of Succo stranded
and lacking depth, despite a fine performance by first-time
actor Cassetti. The result is controversial on many levels,
although engaging enough as a work of film.
Duke
of York's from July 5.
Tape
US 2001, Cert. 15
Director: Richard Linklater
Star Rating * * *
In
a Michigan hotel room, two former school friends, Vince
(Ethan Hawke) and Johnny (Robert Sean Leonard), are re-united.
Johnny, a college graduate and film-maker has come to
town to launch and promote his debut feature. Vince, a
low-achieving volunteer fire-fighter and drug dealer,
is there to support him. The two men, now in their late
twenties, spar and discuss the past, in particular the
nature of Johnny's relationship with Vince's one-time
girlfriend, Amy. To Johnny's surprise, Amy (Uma Thurman)
turns up at the hotel room, and the examination of their
relationships and friendship continues.
Directed
by Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused), shot on cheap
digital video and set entirely within one tacky hotel
room over a real-time period of under two hours, it comes
as no surprise that this production started life as a
one-act stage piece. The script, adapted by Stephen Belber
from his own play is, well, stagey, over-articulate and
over-dramatised. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and
the visuals are about as far from cinematic as it's possible
to get. Yet this simple, indie, low-budget offering is
more entertaining than many of the current multi-million
dollar Hollywood High School Re-union dramas. The camera
work is witty, the performances are strong. Well worth
a look.
Duke
of York's from July 12
Other Highlights
Duke
of York's: on July 3 the makers of The Lawless Heart
will participate in a Q&A session after the film's
6.30pm screening. The Imagine Asia season continues with
THE WRESTLERS (July 7), BHOPAL EXPRESS (July 14), ZAR
GUL (July 17), MAYA (July 24) and MOTHER INDIA (July 19-21).
Incredible
Journeys season - world cinema for young people and families
- this month features IKINGUT (PG, July 13) a charming
Icelandic production with a fairytale quality.
Lates and matinees at the Duke's this month include: Y
TU MAMA TAMBIEN (5-6th), DOG SOLDIERS (12th), WILD STYLE
(13th) and the brilliant MIDNIGHT COWBOY (21st). www.picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk
Cinematheque:
highlights include HARRY SMITH: AMERICAN MAGUS (July 4th),
VIVA THE STINKING REPUBLIC 4 (11th), FIVE DOLLS FOR AN
AUGUST MOON (12th) Jean Vigo's excellent classic ZERO
DE CONDUITE (14th) and Tati's MONSIEUR HULOT'S HOLIDAY
(28th).
Super
8 fan? On Thursday July 25, Cinematheque is hosting
a special open reel night celebrating 8mm film. Submissions
welcome. If you have a film originally shot on 8mm - even
if it's been transferred to video - contact 01273 739970
for details.
copyright New Insight 2002
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