In Lila Avilés' Totem, viewers are invited into a world where childhood innocence and the harsh reality of adult grief intersect with remarkable nuance. Through the eyes of Sol (Naíma Sentíes), a young girl fascinated by the natural world around her family's home, we navigate the complexities of understanding and coping with her father Napo's (Juan Francisco Maldonado) terminal illness. This film transcends the typical narrative, focusing instead on the nuanced experiences of grief from a child's perspective. Avilés crafts…
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Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell 2023
In his debut feature, Vietnamese filmmaker Pham Thien An embarks on a cinematic quest that is as elusive as it is profound. The film, which clinched the Camera d’Or at Cannes, is a testament to An's ambitious vision, albeit one that will not resonate with every palate. Set against the backdrop of 2018 Vietnam, this narrative weaves a tapestry of spiritual and existential musings through the eyes of its protagonist, Thien, portrayed with a haunting melancholy by Le Phong Vu.…
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Origin 2023
Ava DuVernay's latest cinematic venture, Origin, ambitiously seeks to explore the intricate layers of racism through the lens of Isabel Wilkerson’s profound book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Despite DuVernay's well-intentioned efforts to dissect the societal roots of racial disparities, the film struggles to resonate with the thematic depth and emotional engagement required. Origin unfolds with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor portraying a middle-aged black intellectual on a global quest to unearth the roots of America's racial discord. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s…
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The Zone of Interest 2023
Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest emerges as a haunting, profound cinematic exploration of the Holocaust, presenting its narrative with an obliqueness that is as disturbing as it is compelling. Glazer, known for his work on Sexy Beast and Under the Skin, crafts a film that, while it may appear to tread softly through its runtime, leaves an indelible mark on its audience. Adapted from Martin Amis's 2014 novel, the film is set against the horrifying backdrop of Auschwitz concentration camp,…
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Frida 2024
Carla Gutierrez's debut documentary, Frida, ambitiously tackles the complex life of Frida Kahlo, a figure whose art and persona have transcended time to become emblems of resilience and rebellion. The film aims to encapsulate the essence of Kahlo through a blend of archival footage, personal writings, and her evocative artwork. On paper, this approach promises an intimate exploration of one of art history's most fascinating figures. However, the execution leaves something to be desired, particularly when it comes to the…
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Perfect Days 2023
In Perfect Days, Wim Wenders crafts a quietly profound exploration of the everyday life of Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho), a man whose occupation of cleaning toilets in Japan's artfully designed public restrooms belies the depth of his inner world. With a gentle, minimalist touch, Wenders, alongside co-writer Takuma Takasaki, invites the audience into the intimate routines of a working-class dreamer, often overlooked by society. Yakusho's performance is nothing short of perfection, embodying Hirayama's quiet dignity and his search for beauty in…
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Monster 2023
In Monster, the 16th feature from revered Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, the director continues to tread the thematic territories of family dynamics and societal observations, this time through the lens of misperception and its ramifications. Drawing inspiration from the narrative complexity of Rashomon and the thematic intensity of Gone Girl, Kore-eda presents us with a layered mystery that delves deep into the heart of rumour, misunderstanding, and the subjective nature of truth. Set against the backdrop of an unsettling incident…
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Out of Darkness 2022
In the seldom-explored prehistoric canvas of cinema, Out of Darkness attempts to carve its niche, veering away from the imaginative liberties of its sparse predecessors to anchor itself in a grim realism reflective of the Paleolithic Age. Directed by Andrew Cumming in his debut feature, the film unfolds in a wintery Scottish wilderness, tracing the harrowing journey of a small band of Homo erectus-oids in search of sustenance and shelter, only to find themselves ensnared in a predatory game of…
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The Promised Land 2023
In The Promised Land (Bastarden), director Nikolaj Arcel and actor Mads Mikkelsen reunite to deliver a compelling Nordic spin on the classic Western genre. Based on Ida Jessen's novel The Captain and Ann Barbara, which draws inspiration from the life of Ludvig Kahlen, the film is set against the stark, unforgiving backdrop of 1700s Jutland heath. This setting becomes a crucible for the story's exploration of human resilience, malice, and redemption.Arcel's direction is unflinching in its portrayal of the era's…
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The Crime Is Mine 2023
François Ozon's latest film, The Crime Is Mine, attempts a blend of humor and social commentary, set in 1935 Paris. It aims to continue Ozon's trend of mixing lighter, comedic elements with more serious themes, reminiscent of his earlier works like 8 Women and Potiche. However, beneath its attempts at levity, the film tries to tackle the heavy topics of fame, justice, and gender roles, with mixed results. Central to the story are characters Pauline Mauléon (Rebecca Marder), an underdog…
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Concrete Utopia 2023
Concrete Utopia, directed by Um Tae-hwa, emerges as a profound narrative set against the backdrop of a dystopian Seoul devastated by an earthquake. Unlike the conventional apocalyptic thriller, this film dives deep into the fissures of human morality, class struggles and the dire consequences of societal collapse. Through the lens of the Hwang Gung Apartments, the last standing beacon of hope, Um crafts a narrative that is as much about survival as it is about the introspection of human values…
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Smoke Sauna Sisterhood 2023
Anna Hints' evocative documentary transports us to the secluded warmth of a southern Estonian smoke sauna, a setting that becomes the stage for an intimate exploration of tradition, camaraderie, and personal revelation. In Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, the ancient practice observed by the women featured is not just a ritual of physical cleansing but an emblem of intangible cultural heritage, recognised by UNESCO alongside global treasures like the Argentine tango and Tibetan opera. Hints masterfully captures the essence of this tradition,…