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Jesus Christus Erlöser [Jesus Christ Saviour] (Peter Geyer, 1971/2008)
May
29
Ascension Day
The birth, life, death or teachings of Jesus on Ascension Day
“Ich bin nicht der offizielle Kirchenjesus, ich bin nicht euer Superstar.”
– Klaus Kinski
It is November 20. The Jesus Christus Erlöser tour brings Klaus Kinski to Berlin's Deutschlandhalle. His monologue, spoken from Jesus the revolutionary's perspective, brings out the hecklers. It's 1971, the post-68 generation is not satisfied with words. It wants to debate, dissect, and devour their Saviour.
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Jonathan (Hans W. Geissendörfer, 1970)
May
26
World Dracula Day
Siring the mortals. DP: Robby Müller.
This deeply political, unpleasant interpretation of Stoker's Dracula can not not be seen against the backdrop of political movements like the #RAF and West-Germany's youth revolting against the failed #Denazification that the country underwent under supervision of the Allied occupying forces.
Note the usage of colour and grouping of people; Klaus Mann's Mephisto (1981) borrowed quite a few visuals from Jonathan.
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Grands soirs & petits matins [May Days] (William Klein, 1978)
May
24
1968
Sorbonne students discussing the political situation with an elderly Parisian man. DPs: William Klein & Bernard Lutic.
“Soyez réalistes, demandez l'impossible”
– May 68 slogan
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Reason Over Passion [La raison avant la passion] (Joyce Wieland, 1969)
May
19
Victoria Day
A winding road. nearos oevr isoasnp. DP: Joyce Wieland.
“sroena evor ssiapon”
– Pierre Trudeau
Joyce Wieland's heart and camera travel from the Canadian east coast all the way to the west. Cars drive by, suns set, suns rise, and Pierre Trudeau's motto rings on in 537 permutations.
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Todo modo [One Way or Another] (Elio Petri, 1976)
May
1
National Day of Prayer
M. (Gian Maria Volontè) speaks to the gathered elite while a gypsum Christ multiplies bread and fishes. DP: Luigi Kuveiller.
“Have you ever tried to dress as a priest? Try it, at least once. It's a bit like being a woman. In summer the breeze enters under the genitals. You can go without briefs. Priests are half men and half women.”
– Don Gaetano
Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, Italy's political leaders, industrialists, bankers, and business leaders gather for a retreat as an atonement for their past crimes of corruption and unethical practices, and to reinforce their power.
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حاجی واشنگتن [Hajji Washington / Haji Washington] (Ali Hatami, 1983)
Apr
30
George Washington – 1789
The White House, or set in Washington, DC, in commemoration of the first inauguration of George Washington in 1789.
Hajji Hossein-Gholi Noori was Iran's first ambassador to the United States in 1889. Stuck in DC, homesick, and without any US-based Iranians to serve, he slowly unravels
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Bom Povo Português [The Good People of Portugal] (Rui Simões, 1980)
Apr
25
1974
A young soldier triumphantly holds up his riffle. DPs: Manuel Barros, Mário Cabrita Gil, José Luís Carvalhosa, Gérard Collet, Acácio de Almeida, Russell Parker & José Reynès.
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1. April 2000 [April 1, 2000] (Wolfgang Liebeneiner, 1952)
Apr
1
2000
The President of the Global Union (Hilde Krahl) stepping out of her spaceship. DPs: Sepp Ketterer, Karl Löb & Fritz Arno Wagner.
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Mr. Freedom (William Klein, 1968)
Mar
23
freebie: liberty
Freebie: “Give me liberty or give me death!” (Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775)
“F-R-double-E-D, D-O-M spells Freedom! We fight for freedom, for one and for all! It's you-and-me-dom, and ten foot tall! Freedom, freedom, and oh-can-you-see-dom, we'll always beat 'em with star-spangled freedom!”
– Mr. Freedom singing his theme song
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Waiting for Fidel (Michael Rubbo, 1974)
Mar
8
International Women's Day
Time flies while waiting for Fidel, and before you know it, it's March 8.
Film du Jour posts does not list holidays on their respective date, unless a film or scene happens to take place on one.