Friday, May 8, 2009

DVD of the Week: "Yella" (Christian Petzold, 2007)


by James Hansen

Christian Petzold's stunning new work Jerichow opens in New York and LA next week, so why not take this week to catch up with his last feature Yella (I know I've been meaning to). That way you can all go into Jerichow with some form of Petzold background. Yella took a long while to get a commercial release in the US, likely because Petzold's name has yet to embraced by American audiences, but I suspect Jerichow could (and should) do just that. (Expect a full review sometime next week, but let me be a blurb whore and go ahead and call it one the best films of the year). Alas, Yella did get a well deserved release and was pretty well received. So, while it may not be earth shattering, its a solid movie and Petzold is certainly a director worth paying attention to.

3 comments:

Chuck W said...

I actually just watched this yesterday morning.

I second your recommendation of this film, though I will admit I find myself growing more and more disenchanted with it as I try to mentally pick it apart. I don't want to say too much and spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but I'll admit to feeling cheated by what I felt was a pat and reductive third act. Still--there's enough here to make this a solid recommendation. Especially if you're watching it for Nina Hoss, who gives an pretty damn awesome performance.

I will say that I look forward to Jerichow.

Nostalgia Kinky said...

James,
Thanks so much for continuing to cover such eclectic and under the radar films here. I discover something new and exciting each time I stop over...

James Hansen said...

No problem Jeremy! That's what I'm here for! :)

Thanks for kind words.