Short film RETURN foregrounds the growing directorial voice of Sophia Carr-Gomm; a cinematic short with a haunting central performance, rendered all the more poignant by the passing of lead actor Peter Faulkner shortly after the film’s completion.
With almost thirty years having passed since the first MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, the series has lasted much longer than the legendary 5-seconds-until-self-destruction. However, even if this latest spectacle delivers more than a tiny puff of smoke in an 80s tape player, it represents a fizzling out nonetheless.
The film will stand the test of time, both in terms of the ideas and questions it raises, as well as a beautiful example of the moving image. However, something about THE BRUTALIST arriving now lends the film potency.
The unique approach of FLOW streams through the entire feature, from its animation style to character behaviour, in a way that deepens the impact of its themes of solidarity, companionship, and harmony.
ON FALLING achieves the difficult credit of being both a deeply affecting character story and a compelling indictment of how precarious labour markets undermine our communities.
This edition of NOSFERATU is often visually remarkable, but falters in communicating the paralysis borne of fear and desire and is content to menacingly nibble around the edges rather than sink its teeth in.
ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL – Rungano Nyoni’s second feature film – is a skilfully constructed balance of tone and expectations. The film finds reason in oddities, truths in ambiguities, and joy despite trauma, all underscored by a superb performance from Susan Chardy.
Despite a messy and unfocused narrative trajectory, the depth of absurdity Guy Maddin (and co-directors Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson) offers in RUMOURS skewers the modern geopolitical scene better than most.
THE ASSESSMENT has enough interesting ideas to bolster the excellent central performances and basic premise. It never quite rises to meet its loftier concerns, but intelligent writing and captivating performances result in something well above a passing grade.
SANTOSH is a patient film, that illustrates how a dysfunctional environment can pervert the meagre empowerment it offers marginalised people.
