Rent Arabian Nights: Vol.1: The Restless One (2015)
3.2 of 5 from 95 ratings
2h 5min
- General info
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- Synopsis:
The latest from Miguel Gomes, the director of 'Tabu', the 3 part 'Arabian Nights' is probably 2015's most ambitious cinematic undertaking, and the most talked about film experience of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. 'Arabian Nights' uses the framing device from the original tales with Scheherazade telling stories - but that's where the similarities end. Over three features, Gomes channels the current struggles of economically depressed Portugal through an assortment of tales that range from farcical yarns to grounded accounts of social issues. Opening with documentary portraits of Portugal, Gomes then spins satirical stories about bankers with unstoppable erections and a talking cockerel, followed by a triptych of interviews with the unemployed. - Actors:
- Crista Alfaiate, Miguel Gomes, Maria Rueff, Bruno Bravo, Rogério Samora, Dinarte Branco, Américo Silva, Carloto Cotta, Diogo Dória, Adriano Luz, Basirou Diallo, Luísa Cruz, Cristina Carvalhal, Chico Chapas, Tiago Fagulha, Susana Afonso Lopes, Louison Tresallet
- Directors:
- Miguel Gomes
- Producers:
- Sandro Aguilar, Thomas Ordonneau, Luís Urbano
- Writers:
- Telmo Churro, Miguel Gomes, Mariana Ricardo
- Aka:
- As Mil e Uma Noites: Volume 1, O Inquieto
- Studio:
- New Wave Films
- Genres:
- Drama
- Countries:
- Portugal
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Reviews (2) of Arabian Nights: Vol.1: The Restless One
Possibly good if you can make sense of it - Arabian Nights: Vol.1: The Restless One review by RD
Apart from a short snooze about 20 minutes into the film, I managed to watch it for an hour before giving up completely.
It starts with a documentary piece about the winding down of a shipyard, interspersed with a story about killing wasps nests. Then it goes into the separate pieces of Arabian Nights style stories.
The first part is incredibly tedious, with nothing of interest, no characters and nothing happens. It's merely a commentary on the injustices of the capitalist system that winds down a shipyard.
The other pieces have a lot more going for them with some very weird stories that unfortunately were way beyond the comprehension of this poor sad mortal. Imagine making a film that's so complex and odd that it will not make sense to the viewer. I could of course pretend to understand it and then it will become a masterpiece of cinema art. But the sad thing is that whatever is not understood is actually perceived as rubbish, so I am happy to admit defeat with this film and confess I haven't the intellect to understand it.
Feeling bright and alert as a film critic on clever pills? Then watch it, but have something else ready just in case the pills don't work.
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Gave up after first half hour - Arabian Nights: Vol.1: The Restless One review by LC
Have to agree with the other reviewer here. The first part about the plight of Portuguese dockworkers and wasp killers was too dull to make it worth continuing. The style of filming and narrative was unfocused and not engaging. Not recommended.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.