The Blue Caftan
THE BLUE CAFTAN is a film that rewards patience, and Maryam Touzani’s decision to keep the camera lingering on her stars’ bright, pained eyes in intimate moments enhances the emotional connection behind them.
Category Archives: Reviews
The Astronaut
Nicolas Giraud directs and stars in THE ASTRONAUT (L’ASTRONAUTE), a gentle and beautifully shot film with some ambitious ideas around opening up space exploration and connecting with people on Earth. Although slow, the drama of the climax makes the journey worthwhile. Simon Bowie reviews.
The Ordinaries
Sophie Linnenbaum’s debut feature THE ORDINARIES crafts a story that very nearly collapses under its own concept but manages to say something about class and emotional expression. Simon Bowie reviews.
The Artist and The Wall of Death
The theme of failure has such potency for a documentary film, but THE ARTIST AND THE WALL OF DEATH ends up with a rather traditional narrative trajectory that doesn’t get to the root of the importance of failure in creativity. Simon Bowie reviews.
Rodeo
The tonal unevenness of Lola Quivoron’s feature debut RODEO may hinder greatness, but the ride is electric. Carmen Paddock reviews.
Typist Artist Pirate King
Carol Morley’s TYPIST ARTIST PIRATE KING is a psychogeographic tour across England through the prism of an unappreciated artist suffering with mental illness. Simon Bowie reviews.
Skin Deep
SKIN DEEP has high ambitions but is too unfocused, and a lack of attention in navigating the finer elements of body dysmorphia squanders the film’s intriguing premise.
Mister Organ
MISTER ORGAN is a fascinating portrait of a narcissist’s litany of power trips. Carmen Paddock reviews.
Tropic
Although some structural issues weigh it down, TROPIC’s allusions to sci-fi horror elevate the story, mainly told through unspoken expressions and gestures. Simon Bowie reviews.
Other People’s Children
With OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN (LES ENFANTS DES AUTRES), Rebecca Zlotowski crafts a wonderfully mature romantic comedy-drama that tackles adult themes with grace and boldly positions itself in the canon of modern romance films.