Description
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Title: See You in Hell, Friends (1970)
Alternate Title: Dovidenia v pekle, priatelia
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Plot Synopsis: As a car filled with diverse characters tumbles down an embankment and bursts into flames, the elderly driver utters, “See you in hell, friends.” The film then explores the intertwined relationships of these individuals through flashbacks. Rita and her fiancé, Petras, move into a farmhouse owned by an aging colonel. Rita marries both the colonel and Petras, and they have a daughter named Christine. The colonel’s father appears and also pursues Rita. Their unconventional life faces upheaval when two women arrive, chopping down trees to build an ark. Rita experiences disturbing nightmares, culminating in Christine’s crucifixion. The film delves into themes of surrealism, infidelity, and the absurdity of human relationships.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Juraj Jakubisko
- Writers: Juraj Jakubisko, Karol Sidon
- Cast:
- Míla Beran
- Nino Besozzi as Colonel
- Jana Brezinová as First Witch
- Carlo Capannelle as Hermit
- Zdeněk Dušek as Postman’s Assistant
IMDb Link: See You in Hell, Friends (1990)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Bandinii – ★★★★ “An absurdist comedy about freedom, oppression, and eternal recurrence. Jakubisko crafts a frenzied, incalculable film that marches to its own nonsensical rhythm.”
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soroush shokouei – ★★★★½ “This film belongs in the Guinness Book of World Records. I began shooting it during one regime, and finished it under another.”
Meta Description: “See You in Hell, Friends” (1990), directed by Juraj Jakubisko, is a Czechoslovak-Italian dark comedy-drama that explores the surreal and intertwined lives of its characters, delving into themes of freedom, oppression, and the absurdity of human relationships.
Title: Brutal Sorcery (1983)
Alternate Title: 毒蠱 (Du gu)
Genre: Horror
Plot Synopsis:
Alan Chang, a devoted taxi driver and husband, becomes entangled in a web of black magic after encountering a pair of ghostly lovers during a late-night fare. Cursed by these spirits, Alan’s life spirals into chaos, leading him into adultery and despair. Desperate to break free from the malevolent forces, he seeks assistance to combat the dark sorcery that has overtaken his existence. The film explores themes of demonic possession, supernatural curses, and the struggle between good and evil.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Pang Ling
- Writer: On Szeto
- Cast:
- Hoi-San Kwan as Dr. Kwok
- Lily Chan as San Lin
- Hei-Lai Ngon as Anne
- Hon Chi Lai as Cheung Yau
- Ying-Lik Chan
IMDb Link:
Brutal Sorcery (1983)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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D Edward – ★★☆☆☆
“It’s kind of crazy how much this rips off Kuei Chih-Hung’s Bewitched. Basically strip that movie of all its style and arsenal of effects and you’re left with something vaguely interesting but also boring.” -
Andrew Roby – ★★★★☆
“A taxi driver gets sick with some black death magic. He pukes it up & can’t get it up. Black magic. Snakes. Black magic rituals. Hilariously atrocious dubbing. Awkward s&x. Black magic.” -
se13an – ★★★☆☆
“Bargain Bin Bewitched. This runs a lot like a cheaper version of Kuei Chih Hung’s Bewitched about a man who goes to Thailand for some no strings attached s&x and never realizes the woman he was messing around with has access to a wizard who will curse him.”
Meta Description:
“Brutal Sorcery” (1983) is a Hong Kong horror film directed by Pang Ling. The story follows Alan Chang, a taxi driver who becomes ensnared in black magic after a supernatural encounter, leading him into a descent of adultery and despair. The film delves into themes of demonic possession and the battle against malevolent forces.
Title: Doin’ Time in Times Square (1992)
Genre: Documentary
Plot Synopsis:
From 1981 to 1983, director Charlie Ahearn captured the dynamic and often chaotic life outside his apartment at 43rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City. This documentary juxtaposes the raw, unfiltered street scenes of Times Square—including drug deals, street brawls, and the vibrant nightlife—with intimate moments of Ahearn’s family life, highlighting the stark contrast between the external turmoil and internal domesticity. The film offers a unique perspective on the urban landscape of early 1980s Manhattan.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Charlie Ahearn
- Writer: Charlie Ahearn
- Cast:
- Eve Ahearn
- Jane Ahearn
- Joey Ahearn
IMDb Link:
Doin’ Time in Times Square (1992)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Oliver – ★★★☆☆
“Quietly opposing views of the quotidian are stitched together in this exposé on the lives of those around 43rd St and 8th Ave in the early ’80s.” -
Matt Minter – ★★★★★
“Fascinating bird’s eye view of early 80s New York. Lots of intense and violent confrontations.” -
borisnyc – ★☆☆☆☆
“I guess the theme of this short film was spoiled in the title. This is shot from the filmmaker’s apartment window, in the late 80’s, mostly things that happened outside on the street in Times Square.”
Meta Description:
“Doin’ Time in Times Square” (1992) is a documentary by Charlie Ahearn that juxtaposes the raw street life of early 1980s Times Square with intimate moments from his family life, offering a unique perspective on urban existence.
