This is the best Bangladeshi film I've ever seen.
Championing Bangladeshi cinema has been an uphill battle as most films from the country still lack a certain sophistication and finesse, both fundamentally and technically, that limits their ability to compete at the global level. With its selection into Cannes' Un Certain Regard, Rehana Maryam Noor certainly hinted at changing that—yet, I avoided watching the film for the longest time due to fear of disappointment.
I am thankful to have been…
I've met Park Chan-wook three times in my life: At a signing for Oldboy at Tower Records in Soho, then at the NYFF premiere of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance and once again at a Q&A for Thirst at the same festival. Only at the last event did I get to ask him whom his favorite inspirations were: He said Kim Ki-young and Yasuzo Masumura—which led me to binge on the latter’s works.
But now, having watched The Last Witness, it's…
Surprisingly pleasant experience, especially considering the hate this and other Barbie films get at the Letterboxd 100: Animation thread! You don't even realize it's a "Barbie" film since she plays another character.
What's crazy is that, aside from the outdated animation, its production quality is surprisingly good—especially the songs! If someone was to update the quality of the animation while keeping everything else the same, it may do wonders.
Also, some fun trivia: This is the highest rated film for Martin Short on Letterboxd.
Currently #69 on Letterboxd 100: Animation
Though it lost me at times—particularly doing the reading—I absolutely understand the running time. There's a mental mechanism via which we, the viewer, are able to digest certain nuances of life. Seeing certain sequences 1:1: lets us truly live through these moments, good or bad.
Felt a bit uneven by the end and without the subtle, impactful resolution of Drive My Car. Undoubtedly an acquired taste for many, and the rating likely has a survivor bias from those who finished…
Glad they finally wrapped up WandaVision with a 2 hour movie special.
