New movies for Dec 2009 / Jan 2010
Dear all,
Over the past month, documentaries and movies in various languages have been recorded from SBS & ABC channels.
These programmes are available through the computers in the Self Study room (Rm 222, Brennan MacCallum building) should you wish to view them.
Chinese
A Better Tomorrow
The first of three in a series of films by John Woo that tell the tale of two brothers – one a successful counterfeiter and the younger a fledgling graduate of the Hong Kong Police Academy. Winner 1986 Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor (Chow Yun-Fat) and Best Picture.
Lung Ti, Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung
(1986) Hong Kong Director: John Woo
MA V,A Action 110 mins Repeat
A Better Tomorrow II
The second of three in a classic series of films that helped establish John Woo’s filmmaking career and made Chow Yun-Fat an instant star. Whilst running a restaurant in New York, Ken Gor teams up with police detective Kit and his struggling ex-con brother Ho to avenge his old friend’s daughter’s murder by a Triad gang.
Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung
(1987) (Hong Kong/Cantonese, English) Director: John Woo
MA V,L,A Action 110 mins
Kekexili: Mountain Patrol
This moving true story set against the exquisite backdrop of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has had a profound impact in China, bringing attention to the Kekexili region and the plight of its inhabitants and endangered species. Kekexili, the third least inhabited area in the world, is home to the rare Tibetan antelope. Prized for its wool, the antelope is the target of poachers, and its numbers are dwindling drastically. Local Tibetans form a volunteer patrol, led by Ri Tai, to stop the slaughter.
Zhang Lei, Liang Qi
(2004) (China/Mandarin) Director: Lu Chuan
M Action 95 mins Repeat
Secrets of the Forbidden City
The extraordinary true story behind the building of the largest palace on earth, the Forbidden City in Beijing. For six centuries the Forbidden City has been at the heart of China. It remains one of mankind’s greatest historic and architectural icons. Now this spectacular film uses the latest discoveries, combined with compelling drama to reveal the secrets of how the Forbidden City was built, by the all-powerful Ming emperor Yongle, who would stop at nothing to achieve his amazing vision. The film explores the incredible logistical and technical effort required to build a palace of 9000 rooms that formed the core of Yongle’s new capital, Beijing. More than a million workers toiled to create the emperor’s dream. And, newly translated ancient texts in fact reveal that Yongle had no real right to call himself emperor, and no right to build a palace of his own. It was raised on the blood of others. This warlord had clawed his way to the top, fought foul, betrayed his own family and killed all in his path, to steal the throne.
(2008) UK M V Documentary 90 mins *CC*
The World
Tao, a dancer, and her boyfriend Taisheng, a security guard, come to The World Park – a theme park on the outskirts of Beijing – to build their life together. But they find the environment artificial and isolated, and many of the staff are lonely and disillusioned with life. Winner of Sao Paula Int Film Festival and Toronto Film Critics Assoc Awards in 2005.
Tao Zhao, Taisheng Chen, Jue Jing
(2004) (China/Mandarin) Director: Zhang Ke Jia
PG Drama 145 mins Repeat
French
Bamako
As Mele and husband Chakra go through the trauma of a marriage break-up, a trial is held in the courtyard of the house they share with other families in Mali. Winner of a Lumiere award for best French language film in 2007.
Aïssa Maïga, Tiecoura Traore
(2006) (France/French, English) Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
M V Drama 125 mins Repeat *CC*
Bon Voyage
In tonight’s European Cinema, an actress, a writer, a university researcher and a government official combine in an effort to flee Paris in the shadow of the Nazis’ takeover of the city. Screened at the 2004 French Film Festival, and nominated for 11 Cesar Awards.
Gérard Depardieu, Peter Coyote
(2003) (France/French) Director: JEan-Paul Rappeneau
M V Drama 120 mins Repeat
The Overeater
Selena, an obese police superintendent, confides in suspected murderer Elsa, but the murder investigation is more complicated than it first seems. French soccer superstar Eric Cantona gives a tour de force performance as the 350lb policeman.
Eric Cantona, Rachida Brakni
(2003) (France/French) Director: Thierry Binisti
M L,S,A Drama 95 mins Repeat
Tell No One
Eight years ago, Doctor Alex Beck’s wife Margot was brutally murdered and a serial killer was charged with her murder. But the discovery of two bodies on the shores of the lake where Margot was killed and mutilated after a midnight swim forces the police to reopen the case, with new evidence casting suspicion on Alex. At the same time, Dr Beck is receiving strange email messages from his presumably dead wife. Winner of four Cesar awards in 2007, including Best Actor and Best Director.
François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze, André Dussolier
(2006) (France/French) Director: Guillaume Canet
MA Drama 135 mins
Live and Become
In 1984, the Israeli Secret Service initiated Operation Moses, where thousands of Ethiopian Jews, or Falashas, were covertly airlifted out of war-torn, famine-stricken Ethiopa into Israel. This multi-award winning film tells the story of Schlomo, a Christian boy who pretends to be a Jew in order to escape to Israel. On his arrival Schlomo is adopted by an Israeli couple, but despite their best efforts he remains depressed, and secretly sends letters to his mother still in Ethiopia. His constant struggle with racism in his new country, and his continued pretence of being a Jew, cause him to deeply question his identity.
Sirak M. Sabahat, Yaël Abecassis, Roschdy Zem
(2005) (France/Hebrew, Amharic, French) Director: Radu Mihaileanu
M A,L,V Drama 150 mins
Hindi
Water
This Asia Wide Film looks at the plight of two child widows in India who are forced to lead a life of poverty in a temple with other widows. The older widows force the younger into prostitution to earn money for the maintenance of the Ashram. One young widow is given a chance to remarry but realises the father of her beloved is one of her clients. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2007.
Sarala, Lisa Ray, John Abraham
(2006) (Canada/Hindi) Director: Deepa Mehta
M Drama 120 mins
Italian
Facing Windows
When an elderly Jewish pastry chef loses his memory, his involvement with the young married couple helping him out seems more than a chance meeting. This is a lush, engaging melodrama about a mother at an emotional crossroads that won a score of David de Donatello awards and screened at the 2003 Italian Film Festival.
Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Filippo Nigro, Massimo Girotti, Serra Yilmaz
(2002) (Italy/Italian) Director: Ferzan Ozpetek
M L,S,A Drama 110 mins Repeat
Her Whole Life Ahead of Her
A philosophy-graduate-turned-telemarketer’s life is turned upside down when she meets an impassioned labour union worker and divulges her company’s unfair practices to him. A coming of age tale confronting the harsh reality of the employment world in contemporary Italy.
Isabella Ragonese, Massimo Ghini, Sabrina Ferilli
(2008) (Italy/Italian) Director: Paolo Virzi
M S,L,D,V,N Comedy 125 mins
Once You’re Born You Can No Longer Hide
Tonight’s European Cinema tells the story of 10-year-old Sandro of wealthy Italian parentage, who transcends the boundaries of multi-ethnicities when a fateful twist lands him in close quarters with refugees.
Matteo Gadola, Alessio Boni, Michela Cescon
(2005) (France/Italian) Director: Marco Tullio Giordana
M L,A Drama 125 mins
Japanese
Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
This is Romeo and Juliet, ninja-style. Revolves around two forbidden lovers caught in the crossfire of their warring families. A unique blend of romance, high-octane action and martial arts.
Yukie Nakama, Joe Odagiri
(2005) (Japan/Japanese) Director: Ten Shimoyama
MA V Drama 110 mins Repeat
Korean
Joint Security Area
The story of an incident at Panmunjom, the demilitarised zone on the border between the two Koreas, involving a South Korean sergeant accused of shooting a North Korean soldier on guard duty. Major Sophie Jang, born in Geneva of a Korean father and Swiss mother, is entrusted with the investigating the case, and finds herself plunged into an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and hostility.
Lee Young-Ae, Byung-hun Lee
(2000) (South Korea/Korean, English) Director: Park Chan-Wook
MA V Thriller 115 mins Repeat
Spanish
Camarón
Biographic film about influential flamenco singer El Camarón de la Isla, covering his rise to fame, his drug addiction, and his association with Paco de Lucia. Produced in consultation with his widow. Winner of three Best Actor awards for Óscar Jaenada.
Óscar Jaenada, Verónica Sánchez, Mercè Llorens
(2005) (Spain/Spanish) Director: Jaime Chávarri
M D,L Biography 120 mins Repeat
Son of the Bride
A stressed-out restaurant owner who is facing a mid-life crisis ends up in hospital. A series of events and his father’s devotion to his mother make him take a new look at life. Winner of eight awards at the Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards.
Ricardo Darín, Héctor Alterio, Norma Aleandro
(2001) (Argentina/Spanish) Director: Juan José Campanella
M L Comedy 130 mins Repeat
Thai
Last Life in the Universe
Tonight’s Asia Wide Film is an inventive, authentic, and quietly unsettling exploration of fate bringing people together just as their worlds are falling apart. A suicidal Japanese former gangster and a Thai prostitute find love in Pattaya. Won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Bangkok Film Festival in 2004 and Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival in 2003.
Laila Boonyasak, Thiti Rhumorn
(2003) (Thailand/Thai, Japanese) Director: Pen-Ek Ratanaruang
M A,L,V Romance 110 mins Repeat
Add comment January 29, 2010
Language resources: French
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Each exercise will open in a new window, or you can use the Next button (=>) to advance through the exercises.
Add comment January 12, 2010
French (Basic)
Add comment January 8, 2010
Closure during December
The AV Language Library will be closed from Friday, 4 December 2009, and will reopen again on Monday 4 January 2010.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
In the meantime, if you need to contact me, please do so by leaving a comment in here or contact me directly through Facebook. Don’t forget that if you want to find a suitable language exchange partner, or need to sell your textbooks, you can do so through our Discussion Board in the USyd AV Language Library page.
Enjoy the rest of your holidays, and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010 to you! 
Add comment December 2, 2009
New movies for November / December 2009
Wow… the exams are well & truly over, and the holidays are here!
If you happen to be in Uni, and would like to view some foreign language movies, we have quite a lot in store for you. Over the past month, documentaries and movies in various languages have been recorded from SBS & ABC channels.
These programmes are available in the Self Study room (Rm 222, Brennan MacCallum building).
Arabic
Science and Islam: The Empire of Reason
Physicist Jim al-Khalili examines the scientific method during the era of the medieval Islamic world.
(UK/English) PG Documentary 70 mins
Under the Bombs
A Shi’ite mother returns to Lebanon to search for her missing son and sister in the immediate aftermath of the July 2006 Israel-Hizbollah war. A gritty and visceral documentary style drama that was nominated for The Grand Jury prize at Sundance.
Nada Abou Farhat, Georges Khabbaz
(2007) (France/Arabic) Director: Philippe Aractingi
M L,S Drama 100 mins
1 comment December 2, 2009
Language resources (English, Thai)
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Reading, writing, spelling, grammar & vocabulary.
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From the University of Victoria’s English Language Centre. Click on a topic to see the lessons and exercises. Click on the lesson to begin. To see all lessons and exercises in the menu, click on the “Show All” button. To see only the topics, click on the “Hide All” button.
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Reading Comprehension Texts with worksheets.
Add comment December 1, 2009
Language resources (Spanish)
Add comment November 25, 2009
Language resources (Japanese)
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Includes audio, video, and lessons, chat, forums, and grammar, vocabulary, and kanji.
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From a Japanese student’s point of view. Includes recommended texts.
Add comment November 24, 2009
Language resources (Grammar: English, French, Japanese, Spanish)
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Spanish Language and Culture with Barbara Kuczun Nelson was formerly known as Spanish Grammar Exercises.
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This guide was created as a resource for those who want to learn Japanese grammar in a rational, intuitive way that makes sense in Japanese. The explanations are focused on how to make sense of the grammar not from English but from a Japanese point of view.
Add comment November 23, 2009
