Random Thoughts

And is this really more of a Georgian film than an Estonian film?

I did not know that there was an Estonian village in Georgia, though. The Soviet Union was funny. But perhaps not in a “ha ha” way.

This film is very on the nose. War is awful. I appreciate the sentiment. It’s heart is definitely in the right place, and there are some powerful scenes. But it’s mostly not all that good.

Tangerines. Zaza Urushadze. 2013. Estonia.

Rolling Estonian

• 1 part vodka
• 2 parts ginger ale
• 5 parts cranberry juice

Pour over ice and serve with lime wedges.

It’s so difficult to find cocktail recipes from the ex-Soviet countries on the interwebs. They’re mostly joke variations on “White Russian”. This is allegedly an Estonian drink, but I think… perhaps not.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

Oh, man. This is so amateurish.

But it’s kinda atmospheric, and the central conceit of the film is kinda cute. And the actor playing Azizah is pretty good. And it won the prize for Best Poster (WON).

So I’m being oh so generous and rolling:

The Red Kebaya. Oliver Knott. 2006. Malaysia.

Sing Sing

• 2 parts whiskey
• 1 part sweet vermouth
• 1 part orange curaçao

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange zest twist

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

This started off kinda wonky, but then it got better. Almodovar is Almodovar, of course, but sometimes he goes off the rails. This is quite different from his usual themes, though.

I quite enjoyed parts of it, but it does drag a bit…

Live Flesh. Pedro Almodovar. 1997. Spain.

Aquavit 43

• 3 parts Licor 43
• 2 parts Aquavit
• 2 parts Noilly Prat
• 1 part lime juice

Fill a lowball glass with orange and lime wedges and ice. Pour the ingredients. Stir well. Garnish with a mint sprig.

This is a very weird cocktail. I’m not sure whether it’s horrible or great. Do the flavours go together? Hm…

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

Hey! It’s a comedy about a spunky girl in Saudi Arabia. Not what I expected at all. It plays with the constant trivial, petty and extreme repression of Saudi society vs trying to have a normal childhood very effectively.

Funny and enraging at the same time.

And the girl playing the lead is just amazing.

Wadjda. Haifaa al-Mansour. 2012. Saudi Arabia.

Flying Carpet

• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part Advocaat
• 1 part Pisang Ambon
• 2 parts cream

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

Hm… this might not be totally genuinly Indian. Lots of European financing going on…

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From the cover of the DVD I thought it was going to be a Bollywood film with lots of dancing and singing, and… it isn’t. Boo!

But this film has a very silly premise, anyway. Me like! Marrying that great premise to a film with emotional depth is a really good idea.

It kinda drags in the last act, though.

The Lunchbox. Ritesh Batra. 2013. India.

• 6cl whiskey
• 2 tsp orange marmelade
• 1 tsp finely graded ginger
• a splash of soda
• orance slice

Shake the three first ingredients with ice. Strain into ice-filled glass, splash some soda into it, and garnish with a slice of orange.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.