If you want to understand why some movies are referred to as art films, just take a look at that image from Tangerines, above. It could be hanging in a museum.
The first foreign-language film from Estonia to be nominated for a Foreign Language Academy Award, Tangerines is — in both its message and its cinematography — truly a work of art.
Set in 1992, the story revolves around the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict. While most Estonians have abandoned their villages in the wake of fighting, two older men, Ido (Lembit Ulfsak) and Margus (Elmo Nüganen) have stayed behind to quietly live out their lives doing what they’ve always done: harvest the tangerine crop. “It’s not the money,” says Margus. “It’s that a beautiful crop will perish.”
That deep respect for life is what makes this war movie a standout. That and the fact that much of the war takes place in Ido’s living room.
When Ido hears gunfire outside his house, he ends up burying the dead and taking in the only two soldiers still alive. Of course, they’re from opposing sides and they threaten to kill each other once they’ve recovered from their wounds.
Ido forbids violence in his home, and both give their word they will abide by his rule. Margus is skeptical but Ido tells him, “There are people worth their word.” These are, perhaps surprisingly, men of their word.
Once Ido introduces them to each other — “Okay, then, enemies, he’s Ahmed, he’s Nika” — the atmosphere takes on a different tone. They are no longer part of “them;” they are now human beings with names and backgrounds and families.
But before you think everyone simply becomes friends and lives happily ever after together, remember this is wartime.
By keeping the production so intimate, director/writer Zaza Urushadze does a powerful job of showing the senselessness of war. He reveals the horror and stupidity of killing people when no one even knows who the enemy is any more.
The violence is particularly jarring in this lovely, pastoral setting where there is such beauty.
“Tangerines are good,” says a soldier to Ido when he explains why he makes crates in his workshop.
Tangerines is good, too.
Sounds like an interesting movie. My sister likes foreign films, so I will tell her about this.
Never heard of this movie. I will have to keep my eyes open for when it comes this way.
This sounds like a great movie. I don’t normally like war movies but this one might just be an exception.
I am so behind in all things movie related (unless it is rated G)! 🙂 I will look into it!
I am usually in the same boat LOL. We mostly watch kid movies.
This sounds like a good movie. I will have to make sure I check it out.
I am not familiar with this movie. I will have to keep an eye out for it.
I always go by your recommendation, Lois, so I’m going to be on the lookout for this movie. It sounds wonderful.
I need to check this out. My son is a film buff and I’d love discussing it with him.
Great movie review! i didnt know it was out but I will make sure to look into it!
I’m a huge fan of art films. Back in the day, I worked at Blockbuster and had a whole group of movie buff friends. I miss those days! There just never seems to be enough time now.
I bet my husband would love this movie! Need to keep an eye out for it!
The preview had me hooked. I love a good foreign film.
This sounds great! I haven’t heard of it before! The preview looks really great! I will have to check this out!
This looks like my kind of date night movie. Sounds really interesting.
Hmm, I will have to watch this. What a great review, intrigued me enough to want to check it out.
I have not heard of this movie before. It sounds interesting!
I never heard of this but sounds like my kind of movie. TY!
This sounds really interesting. My husband and I love watching foreign and art films.
I agree with you, some movies are a pure work of art. This film intrigues me and I will definitely be checking it out.
Ok you have my attention. I need to see this movie.
I used to watch a ton of foreign films. I miss that. I’ll have to add this to my list.
I starting to like ‘Art Films” a lot more than the ones that make it to the big screen. They paint such a descriptive picture and truly engage the audience
I enjoy watching foreign films it has been a while since I watched a foregin movie but this movie would be one to add to my must see list because it just sounds very passionate and sounds like it has a good moral to learn from. I would have my older step kids watch it with hubby and I. Sounds like it is a tear jerker
The picture does look like it could be in a museum. I have such a hard time watching films (or anything) with violence. I just have a weak stomach for it. I do think it sounds very good though!
This film definitely sounds like a powerful, moving experience!
Lately, I have been watching more independent films and I find that you don’t need a huge budget if you have an interesting story and talented actors.
It’s sad that we don’t really hear much about films like this one. Sounds like a must see. I love the title, by the way.
Sounds like an interesting movie. The preview of the movie looks great. My husband really love to watch this kind of movies. Will have to check it out. Thanks for the review.
I need to get caught up on my movies and new movies that are coming out. This looks like a great one.
I haven’t seen this but your review has me very intrigued. I’ll have to see if its playing anywhere near me. Maybe my girlfriends would like to go see it with me?
I have never heard of this movie, but it sounds rather interesting.
It sounds like a really artistic, cultural film. I like watching different genres of film. They help broaden my cultural horizons.
I love foreign language movies. I need to give this one a try! I probably would love it.
This sounds like an interesting movie. I must admit, the constant mention of tangerines made me crave some fresh fruit.