esrosedotblog

CZECH IT OUT

Today's movie was CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS (1966): Czech new-wave; small scale; big themes; coming of age; WWII occupation. This film is very kind to all its characters; even those who are less deserving of kindness.

I liked it a lot. I saw it when it 'came out'. I had not; yet. What was I doing in 1966? I was working for the Cranberry company, I was living in Plymouth, MA and I was (still am) the father of four kids. I bet I saw this at the Art Theater in Marshfield MA; a great little house that lasted a few years. This was back when we actually had art films including imports from a lot of countries. The dreary truth is that we had more and better films then than now.

This film would not make it into the distribution systems today. It is Czech, it is small scale, it suggests sex rather than shows the details, there is death and no blood. None. BUT why complain. Technology can do for us what the system cannot; and the odd paradox is that, as the movie distribution system is dying, the access to good films improves by leaps and bounds. This one is digitally remastered by the Criterion Collection; Janus Films. Great. I give it a 4 out of Netflix5.