Inspiration

INSPIRATION :: The Foreign Film “Mid-August Lunch”

Today, the evil oak pollen was out in force, swirling on the thick air, sailing up through the closed windows and into the apartment. I sneezed, and sneezed and sneezed and sneezed until I was entirely out of commission, forced to do something rare — rest, mid-day.

So I took my (Italian) mother’s advice, cozied up on the couch with a pillow or five, and put on Mid-August Lunch/Pranzo di Ferragosto.

Mid-August Lunch

It’s the heat of the summer, it’s mid-August, and everyone in Rome has emptied out to go on holiday.

Except for Gianni.

And his mother.

Still from Mid-August-Lunch

And perhaps his landlord’s elderly aunt, and…well, it’s on Netflix Instant, so you’ll have to find out the rest for yourself.

I do know one thing. I want to celebrate Ferragosto this August 15!

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Inspiration

INSPIRATION :: Two Foreign Films I Highly Recommend: The Story of Qiu Ju (Qiu Ju da guan si) and Together (He ni zai yi qi)

If you love foreign films, or just plain love movies, then you need to watch these two Chinese films!

The first, The Story of Qiu Ju (Qiu Ju da guan si), is a comedy. In addition to the humor, it’s worth watching for the visuals alone. I loved the footage of rural China. (As of March 2012, you can get The Story of Qui Ju via Netflix DVD)

Qiu Ju da guan si The Story of Qui Ju Movie - Foreign Movie Recommendation - Chinese Film Recommendation

The second, Together (He ni zai yi qi), had me crying happy tears at the end! I won’t give away any of the plot, but this movie is as good as it gets. Truly. You must watch it! (Currently, March 2012, you can stream Together via Netflix Instant.)

He ni zai yi qi Together Movie - Foreign Film Recommendation - Chinese Movie Recommendation

Peiqi Liu stars in both movies. He’s such a good actor. Watch them both and you’ll be amazed by his very different character and performance in each!