1.
1961 Cannes Film Festival
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The 14th Cannes Film Festival was held on 3-18 May 1961. The Palme dOr went to the Une aussi longue absence, directed by Henri Colpi and Viridiana, the festival opened with Che gioia vivere, directed by René Clément. The festival also screened Shirley Clarkes debut film The Connection due to the efforts of the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics, the success of the film caused the festival to create International Critics Week the following year. C
2.
Brief Encounter
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They inadvertently but quickly progress to an emotional love affair, which brings about unexpected consequences. The film stars Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, the screenplay is by Noël Coward, based on his 1936 one-act play Still Life. The soundtrack prominently features the Piano Concerto No.2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Brief Encounter was met with wide praise from critics upon its release, and is today considered to be among Leans finest works. It has been credited as an important early work of realist cinema for its small scale, Laura, like many women of her class at the time, goes to a nearby town every Thursday for shopping and to the cinema for a matinée. Returning from one such excursion to Milford, while waiting in the railway stations tea shop, she is helped by another passenger, the man is Alec Harvey, an idealistic doctor who also works one day a week as a consultant at the local hospital. Both are in their thirties or early forties, married. Enjoying each others company, the two arrange to meet again and they are soon troubled to find their innocent and casual relationship quickly developing into something deeper, approaching infidelity. For a while, they meet openly, until they run into friends of Laura and they eventually go to a flat belonging to Stephen, a friend of Alecs and a fellow doctor, but are interrupted by Stephens unexpected and judgmental return. Laura, humiliated and ashamed, runs down the back stairs and she walks for hours, sits on a bench and smokes, and is confronted by a police officer, with the implication that she could be perceived as a streetwalker. The recent turn of events informs the couple that both an affair and a future together are impossible, realizing the danger and not wishing to hurt their families, they agree to part. Alec has been offered a job in Johannesburg, South Africa and their final meeting occurs in the railway station refreshment room, now seen for a second time with the poignant perspective of their story. As they await a heart-rending final parting, Dolly Messiter, an acquaintance of Laura, invites herself to join them and begins chattering away. As they realize that they have been robbed of the chance for a final goodbye, with Dolly still chattering, Alec departs with a last look at Laura but without the passionate farewell for which they both long. After shaking Messiters hand, he discreetly squeezes Laura on the shoulder, Laura waits for a moment, anxiously hoping that Alec will walk back into the refreshment room, but he does not. As the train is pulling away, Laura is galvanized by emotion and, hearing an approaching express train. The lights of the train flash across her face as she conquers a suicidal impulse and she then returns home to her family. Lauras kind and patient husband, Fred, suddenly shows not only that he has noticed her distance in the past few weeks and he thanks her for coming back to him. All scenes in Still Life are set in the refreshment room of a railway station
3.
Alida Valli
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Valli was born in Pola, Istria, Italy. Vallis mother, Silvia Oberecker della Martina, born in Pola, was the daughter of Felix Oberecker from Laibach, Austria, her mother was Virginia della Martina from Pola, Vallis maternal granduncle, Rodolfo, was a close friend of Gabriele DAnnunzio. Valli was christened Baroness Alida Maria Laura Altenburger von Marckenstein-Frauenberg, during her lifetime she also gained the titles Dr. h. c. of the III. University of Rome, Chevalier of Arts of France and Cavaliere of the Italian Republic, at fifteen, she went to Rome, where she attended the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, a school for film actors and directors. At that time, she lived with her uncle Ettore Tolomei, Valli started her movie career in 1934, in Il cappello a tre punte during the so-called Telefoni Bianchi cinema era. Her first big success came with the movie Mille lire al mese, during the Second World War, she starred in many movies including Stasera niente di nuovo and the diptych Noi Vivi / Addio Kira. These latter two movies were censored by the Italian government under Benito Mussolini, but they were finally permitted because the novel upon which they were based was anti-Soviet. The films were successful, and the public realized that they were as much against Fascism as Communism. After several weeks, however, the films were pulled from theaters as the German and Italian governments, but her foreign experience was not a great success, owing to the financial problems of Selznicks production company. She returned to Europe in the early 1950s, and starred in many French, in 1954, she had great success in the melodrama Senso, directed by Luchino Visconti. In 1956, Valli decided to stop making movies, concentrating instead on the stage and she was in charge of a company that produced Broadway plays in Italy. In 1959, she appeared in Georges Franjus horror masterpiece Les Yeux sans visage and her final movie role was in Semana Santa, with Mira Sorvino. At the 54th Venice International Film Festival in 1997 Alida Valli obtained the Golden Lion award for her career, when Valli came to the United States, she was billed by only her last name to make her sound even more exotic. In 1951, she complained that she disliked the single-name reference, I feel silly going around with only one name, she said. People get me mixed up with Rudy Vallée and her teenage love, Carlo Cugnasca, was a famous Italian aerobatic pilot. He served as a pilot with the Regia Aeronautica and was killed during a mission over British-held Tobruk on 14 April 1941. Among the accused – all of whom were acquitted, leaving the case unsolved – was Vallis lover, Valli married Oscar de Mejo in 1943 and filed for divorce from him in 1949, but they reconciled. She had two sons with him, another official statement by the Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi read, La scomparsa di Alida Valli è una grave perdita per il cinema, il teatro e la cultura italiana
4.
Union Pacific (film)
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Union Pacific is a 1939 American dramatic western film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea, based on the novel Trouble Shooter by Western fiction author Ernest Haycox, the film is about the building of the railroad across the American West. Chief troubleshooter Jeff Butler has his hands full fighting Barrows agent, campeaus partner Dick Allen is Jeffs war buddy and rival suitor for engineers daughter Molly Monahan. Who will survive the effort to push the railroad through at any cost, Union Pacific was released in 1939 two months after John Fords Stagecoach, which film historians consider responsible for transforming the Hollywood Western from a mostly low budget, B film affair. Wheeler M. DeMilles film indeed took the genre to a new level, michael Coyne accordingly characterizes Union Pacific as a technological nation-linking endeavor in his book The Crowded Prairie, American National Identity In the Hollywood Western. Parts of the film were shot in Iron Springs, Utah, the golden spike used at the ceremony to mark the end of the construction was the same spike actually used in the May 10,1869 event, on loan from Stanford University. For the Indian attack on the train, Paramount hired 100 Navajo Indian extras, the company had rented many local Pinto horses for the filming of the Indian attack on the train. In order to operate the number of trains required by the production and this film is the official winner of the first ever Palme DOr at the Cannes Film Festival, although this was awarded in retrospect at the 2002 festival. The festival was to debut in 1939, but was cancelled due to World War II, the organizers of the 2002 festival presented part of the original 1939 selection to a professional jury of six members. The films were, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, La piste du nord, Lenin in 1918, The Four Feathers, The Wizard of Oz, Union Pacific, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects at the 12th Academy Awards. A special train transported DeMille, Stanwyck, and McCrea from Hollywood to Omaha, the trip took three days and made stops along the way, drawing large crowds. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt inaugurated the overall celebration by pressing a key at the White House in Washington, DC. An ad stated that the premiere, which involved parades, radio broadcasts, an antique train continued on a 15-day coast-to-coast promotional tour, stopping at 30 cities around the country. This film, along with The Sign of the Cross, Four Frightened People, Cleopatra, the film received a standalone DVD release in 2014 as part of Universals Vault Series line. Neither release has a selection or any additional features. Union Pacific at the Internet Movie Database Union Pacific at the TCM Movie Database
5.
The Third Man
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The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene. It stars Joseph Cotten, Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard, the film takes place in post-World-War-II Vienna. It focuses on Holly Martins, an American who is given a job in Vienna by his friend Harry Lime, Martins then meets with Limes acquaintances in an attempt to investigate what he considers a suspicious death. The atmospheric use of black-and-white expressionist cinematography by Robert Krasker, with harsh lighting, combined with the unique theme music, seedy locations and acclaimed performances from the cast, the style evokes the atmosphere of an exhausted, cynical, post-war Vienna at the start of the Cold War. Greene wrote the novella of the name as preparation for the screenplay. Anton Karas wrote and performed the score, which featured only the zither, the title music The Third Man Theme topped the international music charts in 1950, bringing the previously unknown performer international fame. It is considered one of the greatest films of all time, celebrated for its acting, musical score and these powers share the duties of law enforcement in the city. American pulp Western writer Holly Martins comes to the city seeking his friend, Harry Lime. Upon arrival he discovers that Lime was killed just hours earlier by a truck while crossing the street. An official of the British occupying forces subsequently approaches Martins, requesting that he give a lecture, viewing this as an opportunity to clear his friends name, Martins decides to remain in Vienna. He receives an invitation to meet from Limes friend, Baron Kurtz, before dying, according to Kurtz, Lime asked Kurtz and Popescu to take care of Martins and Anna Schmidt, Limes actress girlfriend. Hoping to gather information, Martins goes to see Anna at her theatre. She then accompanies Martins to question the porter at Limes apartment building, the porter claims Lime was killed immediately and could not have given any instructions to his friends before dying. He also states that Kurtz and Popescu did not move the body out of the street alone, Martins berates him for not being more forthcoming with the police about what he knows. Concerned for his familys safety, the porter indignantly tells Martins not to involve him, shortly afterwards the police, searching Annas flat for evidence, find and confiscate her forged passport and detain her. Anna tells Martins that she is of Czechoslovak nationality and will be deported from Austria by the Russian occupying forces if discovered. Martins visits Limes medical adviser, Dr. Winkel, who says that he arrived at the accident after Lime was dead, later, the porter secretly offers Martins more information but is murdered before their arranged meeting. Escaping from them, Martins returns to the hotel, and a cab whisks him away and he fears it is taking him to his death, but it delivers him to the book club
6.
Marty (film)
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Marty is a 1955 American romantic drama film directed by Delbert Mann. The screenplay was written by Paddy Chayefsky, expanding upon his 1953 teleplay of the same name, the film stars Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair. Marty and The Lost Weekend are the two films to win both organizations grand prizes. Marty has been well-regarded by critics since its initial release, Marty Piletti is an Italian American butcher who lives in The Bronx with his mother. Not averse to marriage but disheartened by his lack of prospects and they spend the evening together dancing, walking the busy streets, and talking in a diner. Marty eagerly spills out his story and ambitions, and they encourage each other. He brings Clara to his house, and they express their mutual attraction. Marty takes her home by bus, promising to call her at 2,30 the next afternoon, overjoyed, he punches the bus stop sign and weaves between the cars, looking for a cab. Meanwhile, his cranky, busybody widowed Aunt Catherine moves in to live with Marty and she warns his mother that Marty will soon marry and cast her aside. Fearing that Martys romance could spell her abandonment, his mother belittles Clara, Martys friends, with an undercurrent of envy, deride Clara for her plainness and try to convince him to forget her and to remain with them, unmarried, in their fading youth. Harangued into submission by the pull of his friends, Marty doesnt call Clara and that night, back in the same lonely rut, Marty realizes that he is giving up a woman whom he not only likes, but who makes him happy. Over the objections of his friends, he dashes to a booth to call Clara. When his friend asks what hes doing, Marty bursts out saying, You dont like her, my mother dont like her, shes a dog and Im a fat, well, all I know is I had a good time last night. Im gonna have a time tonight. If we have enough good times together, Im gonna get down on my knees, If we make a party on New Years, I got a date for that party. Marty closes the phone booths door when Clara answers the phone, in the last line of the film, he tentatively says Hello. Ernest Borgnine as Marty Piletti Betsy Blair as Clara Esther Minciotti as Ms, the screenplay changed the name of the Waverly Ballroom to the Stardust Ballroom. The film expanded the role of Clara, and subplots about Martys career, on-set filming took place at Samuel Goldwyn Studios on November 1,1954
7.
The Cranes Are Flying
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The Cranes Are Flying is a 1957 Soviet film about World War II. It depicts the cruelty of war and the damage suffered to the Soviet psyche as a result of World War II and it was directed at Mosfilm by the Georgian-born Soviet director Mikhail Kalatozov in 1957 and stars Aleksey Batalov and Tatiana Samoilova. Fyodor Ivanovich is a doctor who lives with his son, Boris, his daughter, Irina, his mother, and his nephew, Mark. The film centers on Boriss girlfriend, Veronika, during World War II. The character of Veronica represents Soviet women in the context of the aftermath of the aforementioned war, the call to war sounds, and the country responds with great patriotic fervor. Boris volunteers to defend his homeland from the attackers, much to Veronikas sadness and he is killed in a swamp, while saving the life of a fellow soldier. However, he is listed as missing in action, neither Veronika nor his family learn that he has been killed, the German blitzkrieg then begins, people take refuge in the subway system underneath the city. During one attack, Veronikas parents refuse to leave their apartment, the entire apartment is gone and there is no sign of her parents. Fyodor Ivanovich invites Veronika to live with his family, Mark, who has been pursuing Veronika, is put in charge of keeping her company to lift her spirits. He is obviously in love with her, but she rejects him. However, during one bombing raid Veronika refuses to go down to the shelter and is alone with Mark. This scene is unclear, but it is implied that Mark rapes Veronika and she is then shamed into marrying him, and the rest of the family believes that she has betrayed Boris. The family is relocated with many other Russians further East to escape the German offensive and they live in a temporary community where Fyodor Ivanovich, Irina, and Veronika work in a military hospital. Mark spends his time partying and playing music, he and Veronika are both clearly unhappy in their marriage, Veronika overhears the speech and becomes very upset, since she appears to be such a woman. Distraught, Veronika brings herself to a bridge and intends to jump in front of an approaching train. Just before she falls, she turns around and sees a boy who is on the verge of getting hit by a car. She pulls the boy off the road, to which she learns that he is missing his mother, Veronika decides to informally adopt the boy, and takes him back to the community home. Fyodor Ivanovich suddenly realizes that Mark has betrayed not only Russia, but the family as well, Fyodor Ivanovich confronts Mark and kicks him out of the house, while Veronika is invited to stay and is forgiven by the family for betraying Boris. The man that Boris died trying to save comes in search of Boriss family to them the news
8.
Black Orpheus
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Black Orpheus is a 1959 film made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus and starring Marpessa Dawn and Breno Mello. The film was an international co-production among production companies in Brazil, France, the songs sung by the character Orfeu were dubbed by singer Agostinho dos Santos. Lengthy passages of the film were shot in the Morro da Babilônia, a marble Greek bas relief explodes to reveal black men dancing the samba to drums in a favela. Eurydice arrives in Rio de Janeiro, and takes a trolley driven by Orfeu, new to the city, she rides to the end of the line, where Orfeu introduces her to the station guard, Hermes, who gives her directions to the home of her cousin Serafina. Although engaged to Mira, Orfeu is not very enthusiastic about the upcoming marriage, the couple go to get a marriage license. When the clerk at the courthouse hears Orfeus name, he asks if Mira is Eurydice. Afterward, Mira insists on getting an engagement ring, though Orfeu has just been paid, he would rather use his money to get his guitar out of the pawn shop for the carnival. Mira finally offers to loan Orfeu the money to buy her ring, when Orfeu goes home, he is pleased to find Eurydice staying next door with Serafina. Eurydice has run away to Rio to hide from a man who she believes wants to kill her. The man – Death dressed in a skeleton costume – finds her. Orfeu and Eurydice fall in love, yet are constantly on the run from both Mira and Death, when Serafinas sailor boyfriend Chico shows up, Orfeu offers to let Eurydice sleep in his home, while he takes the hammock outside. Eurydice invites him to her bed, Orfeu, Mira, and Serafina are the principal members of a samba school, one of many parading during Carnival. Serafina decides to have Eurydice dress in her costume so that she can spend time with her sailor. A veil conceals Eurydices face, only Orfeu is told of the deception, during the parade, Orfeu dances with Eurydice rather than Mira. Eventually, Mira spots Serafina among the spectators and rips off Eurydice’s veil, Eurydice is forced once again to run for her life first from Mira, then from Death. Trapped in Orfeus own trolley station, she hangs from a line to get away from Death and is killed accidentally by Orfeu when he turns the power on. Death tells Orfeu Now shes mine, before knocking him out, distraught, Orfeu looks for Eurydice at the Office of Missing Persons, although Hermes has told him she is dead. The building is deserted at night, with only a janitor sweeping up and he tells Orfeu that the place holds only papers and that no people can be found there
9.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
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The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a 1964 French/German romantic musical film directed by Jacques Demy, starring Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo. The music was written by Michel Legrand, the film dialogue is all sung as recitative, including casual conversation. It was styled full of color, the film was very successful in France with a total of 1,274,958 admissions. In the late 1950s Madame Emery and her beautiful 17-year-old daughter Geneviève sell umbrellas at their tiny boutique in the town of Cherbourg in Normandy. Guy, a young auto mechanic, lives with and cares for his sickly aunt. Guy and Geneviève are deeply in love, they want to get married, Madeleine is a quiet young caregiver who looks after Guys aunt. She has feelings for Guy, but has not expressed this, Guy is drafted and must leave to serve as a soldier in the Algerian War. The night before Guy leaves, he and Geneviève pledge their undying love, after a couple of months Geneviève learns she is pregnant. She writes to Guy, but she abandoned when Guy writes back infrequently. Her mother says that this shows Guy has forgotten her, Geneviève is courted by Roland Cassard, a quiet, kind, young Parisian jeweler, who is very wealthy. He wants to marry her even after learning that she is pregnant by another man, Genevièves mother repeatedly tells her daughter to be sensible and choose a secure future with Cassard. Geneviève finally decides to accept him, and they are married in a great cathedral and she appears ambivalent about her decision. Guy returns from the war with a limp from an injury. He learns that the store has been sold, and that Geneviève married. As a veteran, Guy has difficulty settling in and he argues with his boss, quits his job, and goes to drink in a seedy port bar. He spends the night with a prostitute named Jenny. When he returns to his apartment, he finds Madeleine, who tells him that his godmother, Guy sees that Madeleine loves him, and he cleans up his life with her encouragement. With an inheritance from his aunt, he finances a new American-style Esso gas station and he asks Madeleine to marry him, and she accepts, although wondering if he is just on the rebound from his lost Geneviève
