I thought Black Robe was a great little timepiece into a strange, new world. Any Black Robe fans have any other recommendations of films similiar to this one? I don't really care if they take place in the New World or not - just any beautifully shot, neat pieces that give us a glimpse into worlds we're not familiar with.
Thanks,
j
Stage Beauty
The Reckoning
Oh yes, I forgot--
Random Passage
Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)
Heart of Light
both Inuit films (latter from Greenland, former from Nunavut, Canada), both amazing
Thanks to everyone for the recommendations! I apperciate it - I've put many on my "to see" list.
To add to my own post - I'd throw out there "Saltmen of Tibet." Obviously not New World, but an interesting (yet long) documentary somewhere along the lines of recommendations on this post.
The Misson, with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons is fantasic.
shareIf what you are looking for are films that immerse you into an historical world that feels authentic, I highly suggest "Andre Rublev" by the great Russian Director Andrei Tarkovsky. This film is about four hours long and simply throws you into the Middle Ages in a way you never contemplated before. Unlike most major films from Hollywood there is nothing romantic here, neither is it just the dquallor that is now more of a current cliche. Instead its as if you yourself were dropped into the Russian middles ages without a clue. People are talking about Saints, and the pigments used for icons and are having theological discussions that go on and on. Then the Tarters show up and rape and pillage, finally a huge bell is cast and rung. Tarkovsky uses the beauty and terror of the Middle Ages as a counterpoint to our world. The main character is a monk and painter. Absolutely amazing. And you are saturated in a completely unfamiliar until it starts to feel like home.
Other films that drop you into strange times and places. The old silent documentary Grass by Schoedsack and Cooper of King Kong fame, a real life adventure. Also The Sky Above the Mud Below an brilliant adventure documentary about New Guinea. Gangs of New York is a flawed but fascinating film that is utterly unique in its time and place. Zulu is an interesting film capturing the the British Empire and the Zulu tribes. Mountains of the Moon about the search for the Nile is also quite an exotic local and story. Come and See by Elim Klimov is a Russian Film that throws you into the most savage fight of World War 2. And entire world in flames here. The Seven Samurai or the Samurai Trilogy get you deeply into Japan and Samurai adventures. Les Enfants du Paradise - The Children of Paradise is another film that baptises une in a complete epoch.
Good luck finding these, they are worth the effort.
You might like Dreamkeeper or The Emerald Forest.
shareYes, The Emerald Forest by John Boorman, excellent Amazon jungle film. The Fast Runner, as earlier mentioned, very unique and interesting Innuit tale. One of a kind. Have to be a patient viewer as it takes its time. The Mission is similar to Black Robe , very good. Didn't really like A New World but the cinematography is good. Gulag posted some great recommendations. I'd also recommend The White Dawn (came out in the 70s) and The Naked Prey (late 1960s?) with Cornell Wilde. Aquirre the Wrath of God is a great one too. Fitzcarraldo as well, both by Werner Herzog are amazing films. The documentary on the making of Fitzcaraldo, Burden of Dreams, is something else as well, as an aside! The Last of the Mohicans is a superb film, one of my favorites. It has just about everything you'd want- action, adventure, romance, gorgeous cinematography, great acting. Like someone said earlier it may not be as profound a story as Black Robe, nor as bleak and dark.
shareAlthough set in a later period, Snow Walker is similar.Was filmed in Canada, and deals with the two cultures. Excellent cinematography, and great performances by Barry Pepper. I can't remember the girl who was in it. Directed by Charles Martin Smith
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