DESERT FLOWER: An Incredible Story Of A Nomad Girl Who Became A Supermodel

Both the book and the film about supermodel Waris Dirie deserve your attention, although the autobiographical book is more stunning—in the film, Waris’ life story looks easier than it really was. The book talks about much more shосking events. “What day changed your life?” the supermodel was once asked. The interviewer expected that she would…

UNDERSTANDING WITHOUT WORDS

What determines your self-awareness, attitude, behavior – and, ultimately, life? Raising in a family? Of course, however how many families there are where all the offsprings were brought up equally, but the siblings turned out to be completely different!
Meanwhile, there is still something that unites completely dissimilar relatives and all Americans/British/French/Italians, and so on.

MANH(A)TTAN: Atomic Passions During The Creation Of The First Atomic Bombs

You watch a whirlpool of passions, the intensity of which the heroes of Shakespeare would envy. You’ll see inspirational collaboration and fierce confrontation with colleagues and controlling military, deadly intrigues, complicated relationships within families, inevitable office romances. As former enemies become friends for the sake of the common work and victory and vice versa.

CHRISTIANE F./ZOO STATION: THE STORY OF CHRISTIANE F. Confession Of 13-Year-Old Addict-Prostitute

A shocking autobiography. I would let every teen aged 11-12 y.o. to read this book – from this age, bad buddies and young dealers usually start offering to try “new cool experience.”

NOT ONE LESS: Human Is More Important Than Money!

Director Zhang Yimou, 1999, China. Social drama with comedy elements. Village teacher Gao has to leave for a month. His replacement is tragicomic: 13-year-old girl Wei Minzhi. At first, the young “teacher” seems narrow-minded, timid and preoccupied with only one thing: the cherished 50 yuan that old Gao promised her. He added that he‘ll pay…

QUEEN OF KATWE: A Wonderful Real Story About A Great Teacher And A Brilliant Student

A stunning and inspiring story based on true facts. One day, Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan girl living in a slum in Katwe decides to trace where her younger brother runs away every day instead of selling corn together with her, earning for shelter and food. It turns out that the boy goes to a chess club…

AFTERSHOCK: How To Forgive?

I remembered this film after several strong earthquakes here in California last week. Fortunately, the epicenter was in the desert, so there was no serious destruction and casualties. Still, everyone was scared. This experience is impossible to describe – and can only be compared with a state on the verge of clinical death: in one moment you realizes everything very clearly, important and unimportant is instantly put in order despite the chaos around. Also, you strongly want to live. And you understand that when your loved ones are alive and safe – this is happiness, and everything is fixable.

ATONEMENT: When The Price Of Offence Is Too High (The Book And The Film)

Sometimes even a child can make a mistake that will destroy lives of other people. Desire to punish the one who didn’t respond to first love – this can be understood and even empathized. But it is still impossible to justify what was done as a result. If a person has a conscience, they will…

IRREPRESSIBLE ANGELIQUE: One For All (Comparing The Series Of Books And Films)

  The series of books about Angelique by Anne and Serge Golon (also, Sergeanne Golon for English speaking-readers) is much more interesting than the famous series of three musketeers (especially for girls). The musketeers besides performing royal errands like only fighting, drinking and womanizing. Sometimes they grieve because of betrayed love or lost beloved. However…

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE vs Q&A: The Winner Is Unexpected!

18-year-old call center employee Jamal decided to take part in famous TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” for the sake of finding love of his life Latika – she always watches this show, because it gives a chance to change fate (or at least give such hope).