Exile

I saw this film in a small theater in Chicago -- and the audience hung on every word. The film is quietly intense -- with a beautiful combination of light, dark, and grey in terms of dialogue, subject matter, and how shots are framed. Characters are REMARKABLE! Each one provides a slightly different take on what it means to "belong" in the United States. They do this through their positions in society (race, gender, economic status) and within a story that never drags. We move through the life of this charismatic yet tortured Polish painter -- and through his eyes (and all the other character reactions to him) we understand his dilemma regarding belonging and respect. Fabulous film. I also watched it as a video and it held up GREAT.