FEATURES
KANDAHAR
By Fouad Ajami
Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s new film is a stark poetic/political road trip that couldn’t have been more timely
AFGHANISTAN IN FOCUS
By Kent Jones
In addition to Makhmalbaf’s fiction, two recent documentaries, Jung and Massoud l’Afghan, offer distinct but complementary views of life under the Taliban
SPIRITUAL VOICES
By Tony Pipolo
Alexander Sokurov locates the uncanny along the Russian/Afghan border
BLACK HAWK DOWN
By Harlan Jacobson
Ridley Scott reconstructs the day in 1993 when U.S. military intervention in Somalia backfired
ALI
By Paul Arthur
The most recognizable and most written-about icon on the planet—a heavyweight champion, a renegade member of the Nation of Islam, and a poet whose work can be recited by children—is reinterpreted by actor Will Smith and director Michael Mann
NEW JAPANESE CINEMA
By Chuck Stephens, Olaf Müller, Alvin Lu, Amy Taubin, Travis Crawford, and David Chute
An extensive—and opinionated—guide to the current state of cinematic affairs on the great island nation. Takeshi Kitano and Kiyoshi Kurosawa are the names cinephiles are already familiar with. Which actors and directors should they be on the lookout for next?
ANDRZEJ MUNK
By Stuart Klawans
The late great Polish director found the heroic amidst WWII’s tragedy and absurdity—and vice versa
GODARD
By Amy Taubin and Kent Jones
The New Wave godfather’s latest, In Praise of Love, is gorgeous, accessible, and highly contentions. Plus: JLG Interviewed.
NANNI MORETTI
By Deborah Young
Acclaimed in Italy, barely known stateside, he writes, directs, and stars in autobiographical comedies with ideological bite. Plus Moretti’s new film The Son’s Room by Harlan Jacobson.
2001 FRAMED
The best and the worst, the inspirational and the inexcusable, the shining stars, the heinous criminals, and everything in between in our annual year-end wrap-up.
DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S LETTER
OPENING SHOTS
News, Books, Guilty Pleasures, and more
TOKYO JOURNAL
The current state of Japanese cinema by Sadao Yamane
DISCOVERY
Deep Breath director Damien Odoul by Kristin Marriott Jones
FIRST LOOK
Previewing Gus Van Sant’s Gerry by Amy Taubin
SOUND & VISION
The 2001 soundtrack by Damon Krukowski and Jon Haddock’s Screenshots by Chris Chang
DISTRIBUTOR WANTED
Manoel de Oliveira’s I’m Going Home by Dave Kehr
CRITICS CHOICE
Eight critics rate 25 new releases
STORYBOARD
“Treatments” by Michael Tolkin
REVIEW
Storytelling by Jessica Winter, Monsoon Wedding by David Chute, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by Neil Golden, Cotton Candy by Paul Arthur, Lantana by Adrian Martin, and What Time Is It There? By Kristin Marriott Jones
VIDI VIDI VIDI
New DVD & video releases
FSLC SEEN
Who’s who at recent Film Society events
