Jens Takle (FilmFreak93)

Chantal Akerman's La Captive is a story loosely based on Marcel Proust's novel La Prisonnière. It's the story about a wealthy man, Simon and his girlfriend Ariane, whom he suspects have an affair with another woman. Simon confronts her with this statement, but Ariane denies this, but Simon knows better and think it's best if they separate and not repress their feelings. But it isn't that easy at all.

Maria de Medeiros who is probably best known for playing Bruce Willis' pregnant girlfriend in Pulp Fiction is actually also a film director in her native Portugal, and her highest acclaimed film is Captains of April. A film about the Carnation Revolution of 1974. A military coup that was plotted out by a bunch of generals that was displeased with its dictatorial government that continued to send young men to fight for the colonies. The coup was a pretty bloodless process and all the people went to the street and celebrated with the soldiers, putting carnations into soldiers rifles as a sign of peace.

We follow three different people in course of this event. Maia, the young general who leads the whole coup. Manuel, a soldier who leads a mission to take control over a radio station, and his wife Antonia (Medeiros), a university teacher who fights for a free Portugal. I did like this film. It's not only an interesting historical piece but it also shows us many different sides from different people. I specially liked the Gervasio character, the Major who constantly jokes about a new dictatorship that will supersede the previous one. But it's not a must see good film, but probably one of the few films about the Carnation Revolution and definitely worth to check out if you are a history buff or need something for educational purposes. Thumbs up.