Product Details

• Actors: Richard E. Grant, Ade, Gogol Bordello, Olegar Fedoro, Stephen Graham
• Directors: Madonna
• Producers: Filth and Wisdom
• Format: Import, PAL, Widescreen
• Subtitles: French
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Tf1 Video
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002D2Y9VY

Editorial Reviews

France released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), French ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), French ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Music Video, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Andriy Krystiyan, or A K for short, has come to England from the Ukraine. A K is a philosopher (at least that's what he claims to be), a poet, and an authority on all aspects of life. At the same time, he is following his grand plan to become an international star. Global stardom is how A K describes the goal that he and his band Gogol Bordello are pursuing with their particular brand of boisterous gypsy punk. For the time being, however, he makes ends meet by performing role play in women's clothing for straight married men. A K shares a flat with two young women named Juliette and Holly. Juliette dreams of being a kind of Florence Nightingale of the developing world. She is currently working behind the counter at the local drug store run by Sardeep, the Indian chemist. Holly is a trained ballerina. Her big dream is todance with the Royal Ballet. So far she hasn't been able to earn a single penny with her dancing, and continues to 'polish' her skills as a pole dancer at Beechman's Exotic Gentleman's Club. ...Filth and Wisdom

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected, September 28, 2009

By 

Williamsworth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Filth and Wisdom (DVD)

Being a fan of Gogol Bordello and seeing Eugene Hutz's brilliant performance in his debut film of the compelling Everything Is Illuminated, I wanted to see what else he's capable of on the screen, though I went in without high expectations. I think Madonna at the helm of this project instilled that hesitation in me. I found the acting good, and the story intriguing. Three roommates are trying to find their niche in society like we all are. What will they do to find what they are looking for? Most anything, and the audience follows along on their journey.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Madonna Film Recipe, January 4, 2012

By 

Ian George Fraser (Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Filth and Wisdom (DVD)

1. Choose about half a dozen wacky/ cooky characters with no obvious connection with each other.
2. Put them in about a dozen predictable situations.
3. Add a pop video and a few of your own songs.
4. Don't allow any comedy.

Put in the blender and mix until gooey or slimey.

Half-bake for about an hour and twenty minutes.

Feed the resultant tasteless pap to an insomniac. Guaranteed sleep within a fraction of that time.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wow This Was Bad, March 24, 2010

By 

Daniel G. Lebryk (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Filth and Wisdom (DVD)

An hour and twenty one minutes, well shot film, with virtually no point. This film tried to be edgy, new wave, and controversial; instead it was simply bad.

The character list is about all anyone needs to know about this film. A cross-dressing, dominatrix, Russian version of Borat faces the camera periodically and talks to the viewer. He tries to make some point about the hell and heaven, how filth and wisdom are two sides of the same coin. He makes his living by dressing up and degrading men. A ballet dancer becomes a stripper. A pharmacy assistant steals pills and is obsessed with starving African children. A pharmacist lusts after his assistant and does unmentionables to her coat. A blind poet lives downstairs. In the end, they all live happily ever after.

This film goes absolutely no where. The point about filth and wisdom being polar opposites or the two sides of a coin is just not fleshed out.

The film is directed and co written by Madonna. It seems like she is trying to paint a picture of three people living together in a house, with their individual problems and difficult lives, but how they are all related in some manner. The film tries way too hard to be something intelligent.

The cinematography is excellent. This is a very well shot film, save one ridiculous shaky handheld camera moment when the blind poet throws all his books on the floor. The lighting is excellent. Sound is surprisingly well recorded, several squeaking doors sound very real in the surround channels. The music is absolutely abysmal, such a surprise considering Madonna's real calling. The pacing is good, the story moves along at a decent pace. The real problem is in the script.

The film is not rated but would be R for strong language. There is no nudity, a lot of underwear, but no naked bits. And very sadly, this is the real problem. The B&D scenes are particularly lame, real stunt people never did any of the hitting or stunts. Canings, beltings, and kicking's never come anywhere near the recipient, they are almost funny.

I disliked this film. It should be a good independent film, and I love to support that part of the industry. This just comes off as a film made by somebody with more money than sense.