Rent Arabian Nights: Vol.1: The Restless One (2015)

3.2 of 5 from 95 ratings
2h 5min
Rent Arabian Nights: Vol.1: The Restless One (aka As Mil e Uma Noites: Volume 1, O Inquieto) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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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:
, , , , , , , , , , Basirou Diallo, , Cristina Carvalhal, , , Susana Afonso Lopes,
Directors:
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
BBFC:
Release Date:
22/08/2016
Run Time:
125 minutes
Languages:
Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Miguel Gomes' Short Film Redemption

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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

Spoiler Alert
28/08/2017

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

Spoiler Alert
06/12/2017

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.

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