Mediterraneo

64th Academy Awards: Best Foreign Film Winner
Mediterraneo
1991
Italy
Color
Directed by Gabriele Salvatores

Plot: A comedy about stereotypical Italian soldiers. Draftees almost to a man, they are inefficient, clumsy, romantics and dreamers. They are sent to guard the least strategic island in WWII. Where are the enemy? Not here, just an island of women and children. Rapidly their radio is broken and weapons stolen, what can they do but join in the local culture. They have everything an Italian soldier could want; drink, drugs, prostitutes, sun, sand and sea. What can they do but relax and wait for the war to end. (Written by Matthew Stanfield)

Theme: WWII, Comedy

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Raise the Red Lantern

64th Academy Awards: Best Foreign Film Nominee
Raise the Red Lantern (大紅燈籠高高掛)
1991
Hong Kong
Color
Directed by Zhang Yimou

Plot: China in the 1920's. After her father's death, nineteen year old Songlian is forced to marry Chen Zuoqian, the lord of a powerful family. Fifty year old Chen has already three wives, each of them living in separate houses within the great castle. The competition between the wives is tough, as their master's attention carries power, status and privilege. Each night Chen must decide with which wife to spend the night and a red lantern is lit in front of the house of his choice. And each wife schemes and plots to make sure it's hers. However, things get out of hand... (Written by Mattias Pettersson)

Theme: Drama, Family Relations

Links: imdb | Wikipedia

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