These two films have something in common with each other. Both films have relatively simple, although maybe unusual premises which unfold for the audience in moments of extreme tension. More specifically, with these two films I feel that the tension never needs to be forced because it is so inherent to the premise of the plot.
The first film, “The 
Wages of Fear” (1953) from director Georges-Clouzot is a simple story about 4 men trapped in a small South American town unable to raise enough money to purchase the plane ticket out. They are soon presented with a job opportunity when one of the mines explodes. Four men, two trucks full of highly volatile explosives and 1 narrow, bumpy and winding road provide all the tension this film could ask for. It’s no secret why Clouzot was referred to as the “French Hitchcock”. This flick is full of good old fashion, white-knuckle, edge of your seat nerve.
Our next film from Indian filmmaker Santosh Sivan is “The Terrorist” (1998). This is quite frankly an amazing film about a guerilla fighter (played by the beautiful Ayesha Dharker) who is training for the very prestigious position of suicide bomber. We watch as she prepares for her last days, meticulously counting them down, all the while learning what value life can hold. I picked this movie up completely blind about ten years ago on VHS and have loved it ever since.
Enjoy...
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