Tropical Malady (Thailand, 2004)

Tropical Malady explores the passionate relationship between two men with unusual consequences. The film is divided in two parts. The first half charts the modest attraction between two men in the sunny, relaxing countryside and the second half charts the confusion and terror of an unknown menace lurking deep within the jungle shadows.

When Tropical Malady screened at the Cannes Film Festival, some of the audience members left in the middle of it, and those who stayed until the end booed it. Now, I know that doesn't exactly makes one terribly excited to see it, but I'm highly surprised at the negative response to this film. I guess some of it could be due to the fact that the film completely changes setting halfway through to a story line which isn't as interesting as the first one, but that isn't enough reason to bash it in my opinion. I recommend giving it a fair chance, especially if you're interested in Thai cinema.

Genre: Drama/Romance

Blind Beast (Japan, 1969)

A blind sculpter kidnaps a beautiful young model and takes her back to his home. He and his mother live in a warehouse that he has turned into a surreal tribute to the senses. It is filled with huge sculptures of body parts and the female form. He is obsessed with exploring the senses to the fullest. At first, the model only wants to escape from this bizarre scene, but eventually she succumbs to his strange vision and even surpasses his obsession.

Wow, Blind Beast. What a cool 60's, kinky and great film. The plot is so deliciously perverse and the sets are like the landscapes of a deranged and lonely mind. The script is nothing short of amazing, with lines like "People pity the blind, what a big mistake. I pity those who have sight. They can never know the tactile ecstasy of our caresses", or "The world of touch. The world of insects. The lower orders such as the jellyfish. Those who venture to the edge of such worlds, can expect only a dark, dank death to envelop them".  

Genre: Drama/Horror

Ocean Waves (Japan, 1993)

Taku travels to his hometown for his high school reunion. During the trip, he recalls the memories of the days in high school. Friendship, subtle love, a trip to Tokyo and so on, all came back to him as the film evolves.

Ocean Waves was made by Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away) and also was the first film directed by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki. Instead, Ghibli wanted only the youngest staff members to make a film with a smaller budget than before (though it ended up going over both budget and schedule) and what we got was something really special. To think that an animated film from '93 is better framed and paced than many movies made today is also pretty cocky. Ocean Waves (a.k.a. I Can Hear the Sea) was a more mature film involving a love triangle and reminiscing about the past, and it's a crime that whenever people talk about Ghibli's stellar filmography this rarely gets brought up.  

In the same way Taku remembers his school days, maybe you will too think back at people you've met, and old friends you'll never meet again.

Genre: Animation/Drama/Romance