Saturday, June 18, 2016

Jacob the Liar


49th Academy Awards: Best Foreign Film Nominee
Jacob the Liar (Jakob der Lügner)
1976
Germany (East)
Color
Directed by Frank Beyer

Plot: A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread. Suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

Theme: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Links: imdb | Wikipedia

Poster:

Kagemusha


53th Academy Awards: Best Foreign Film Nominee
Kagemusha (影武者)
1980
Japan
Color
Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Plot: A petty thief with an utter resemblance to a samurai warlord is hired as the lord's double. When the warlord later dies the thief is forced to take up arms in his place.

Theme: Drama, History, War

Links: imdb | Wikipedia

Poster: