Manhattan **** (4th Time)
1979, Allen, US
The chronicles of a TV writer's complicated sex life in the city he loves.
Mature conversational piece with a fine balance between Allen's neurotic jokes and realistic observations of human relationships; beautifully shot and acted.
#5

Gegen die Wand/Head-On ** (1st Time)
2003, Akin, Germany
In Hamburg, two second-generation Turkish immigrants, both having tried suicide, fall in love.
Stylish, affecting drama with blackly comic undertones, until it turns more tragic towards the end; it is well-acted and the growing romance subtly handled, with a Turkish gypsy band playing musical interludes to reflect the characters' feelings.


Bacon's Arena ** (1st Time)
2005, Low, GB
The life, death and several intense love affairs of Francis Bacon, one of Britain's most important 20th Century painters.
Fascinating documentary made as part of the BBC's Arena series; archive footage of the painter talking openly about his work and love is interwined with clips of his influences, Un Chien Andalou, The Battleship Potemkin and a bullfight no less.

A good day of films!
Mick