Putty Hill (2010)

Directed by: Matthew Porterfield
Country: USA

Plot: A young man's untimely death unites a fractured family and their community through shared memory and loss.
Quick comment: The death of a young drug-addict from Baltimore was the inspiration for Porterfield to blend fiction and documentary in this "indie" production. Without making judgements, he directs the camera on family and friends of the deceased around his funeral date. The tough environment these people live are evident - they all seemed detached and somehow lost, having trouble in exteriorize their affections. Without a main character it has the ability of never losing interest.
Relevant Awards: -

Mozart's Sister (2010)

Directed by: René Féret
Country: France

Plot: A re-imagined account of the early life of Maria Anna 'Nannerl' Mozart, five years older than Wolfgang and a musical prodigy in her own right.
Quick comment: A creative story that somehow turns out to be forgettable. The repressed Nannerl never clearly emerge with her emotions and as consequence the movie never gets close to its potential. Féret had directed 14 feature films before. None of them achieved notoriety.
Relevant Awards: -