Two Year End Film Reviews

At the year end I get busier not only blogging, but a few other details demand attention.  I watch a lot of films and would like to blog more of them, but many are time fillers.  This December I caught two unexpectedly good ones.  The two are both non English languages.

"Emilia Pervez" (2024) has the bigger budget.  A most interesting plot using an unexpected tool.  "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) comes from a developing nation, Indonesia, but struck a chord..   

The plot of "Emilia Pervez" is difficult to detail, but here is a rough outline.  Set in Mexico.  Rita, a lawyer, after winning a case using a subterfuge is kidnapped and taken to meet a drug lord who has an unexpected request.  He wants to be a woman.  A lawyer is needed to help him cover up his tracks, including faking a death and sending his wife and two children to a safe haven in Switzerland.  Four years later after a successful operation and coverup (the wife thinks her husband is dead) the drug lord now known as Emilia Perez encounters Rita in London with a new request.  This time she wants to live with her children and before too long this is granted, although the wife is still kept unaware of the truth.  This leaves a lot of possibilities considering human emotions soon intrude.  That is enough of the plot.

"Heartbreak Motel" seems to run on two tracks.  In one we encounter Ava, a new actress  being given an opportunity in a more important role in a new film.  We learn she has panic attacks due to some traumatic history.  A co-star Reza tries to comfort her and they warm up to one another.  There are problems in their relationship as they continue on the movie.  On the other track we are introduced to a maid, Maya who seems excessively nervous, but has attracted the interest of a foreign negotiator staying at the motel (more like a hotel).  They get off to a bad start with her accusing him of stalking her and he accusing her of trying to steal a wallet.  Eventually they sort out their differences, but she still seems uncertain.  You will wonder how these two tracks are connected and towards the end it begins to make sense.  

 

"Emilia Perez" is the idea of Jacques Audiard who got the idea from a story.  He wrote, directed and was a producer.  Contrary to perception the film is shot in France, although the scenery and language  depicts Mexico with a few side trips to other countries.  Jacques has 29 writing credits, and 17 for directing and 8 for producing including:  "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (2005), "Rust and Bone" (2012), "Dheepan" (2015) and "A Prophet" (2019).  Along the was capturing many awards.  

Over in Indonesia Angga Dwinas Sasongka was developing ideas and skills that led him to also be a director, writer and producer.  In university he majored in political science.  Gravitating to films he at first worked on tv commercials and music videos.  He has accumulated 43 producer credits, 20 for directing and 13 for writing including "13 Bombs" (2024).  His latest, "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) is something unexpectedly charming. 

Music plays a key role in Emilia Pervez and early on an opera libretto was  composed by Clement Ducol with songs written and sung by his wife Camille.  It had been written in Spanish assisted by a Mexican translator.  They had worked together on "The Little Prince" (2015).  Paul Guilhaume with 31 cinematographic credits handled the photo works.  Editing was handled by Juliette Welfling with 31 editing credits including "The Diving Bell and Butterfly" (2007 nominated for Oscar editing), "Dheepan" (2015), "The Prophet" (2009), "Rust and Bones" (2013), Miral (2010) and "Read My Lips" (2001).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/09/free-state-of-jones.html

Arnand Pratikto provided the cinematography for "Heatbreak Motel"  and Hendra Adhi Susanto did the editing with 19 editing credits including  "Cemara's Family" (2019) and "13 Bombs" (2023). Abel Huray provided music.  He has 10 composing credits and 18 for the  Music Department including "Cigarette Girl" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html  

 The cast of "Emilia Pervez" gets international attention.  Zoe Saldana has the central role of Rita, the lawyer who negotiated the transition.  She trained in dancing and it shows.  She has 74 acting credits including "The Terminal" (2004), "Avatar" (2009), "The Words" (2012), "Infinitely Polar Bear" (2014) and "From Scratch" (2022).  

Selena Gomez played Jessi, the wife who was kept in the dark.  She has made herself a popular singer and has 124 acting credits including "Only Murders in the Building" (2021-2024).

The last of the trio that won an acting award together at the Cannes Festival is Karla Sofia Gascon.  She was born in Spain and moved to Mexico to further acting opportunities and where she finalized her transition to female.  She has 40 film credits mostly under the name Juan Carter Gascon.  

Edgar Ramirez played Gustavo Brun.  He was born in Venezuela with a lawyer mother and a soldier father that moved around a lot allowing Edgar to learn five languages.  His film credits include "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012), "The Liberator"(2013) "Joy" (2015), "The Girl on the Train" (2016), "Gold" (2016). and "The Undoing" (2020).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/the-undoing.html

There is a sort of love triangle in "Heartbreak Motel"  

Laura Basuki played Ava the rising actress attracted by two men.  She was born in Berlin, Germany to a Indonesian/Chinese father and a Vietnamese mother.  She got her start as a model where she was noticed by film makers.  Laura has 27 acting  credits.

Reza Rahadian played the co-star would be lover.  Born of a Persian father.  He got started as model.  He has 77 acting credits, 3 for directing and 1 for writing including "Habibie & Annum" (2012).

Chicco Jerikho played Raga, a motel guest.  Born of a Thai father.  Chicco has 31 acting credits and 7 as producer including "13 Bombs" (2023).

Both movies are available on Netflix with subtitles.  A big budget makes for a good presentation, but newcomers have their dynamics that are well worth pursuing.