These filmmakers spoke the truth. You only have to dig out their works and 2019 already looks hopeful. Being Blacker Dir. Molly Dineen A rare portrait of black lives, Molly Dineen’s documentary follows record shop owner, renowned music producer and Brixton’s hero, Blacker Dread. Filmed with the warmth of their friendship, the starting point of… Continue reading The alternative list of 11 best films of 2018
Category: Cinema
Even When I Fall interview with directors Sky Neal and Kate McLarnon and producer Elhum Shakerifar
Even When I Fall tells the incredible true story of Nepal’s first and only circus set up by survivors of human trafficking. The film’s directors Kate McLarnon and Sky Neal filmed Circus Kathmandu’s journey over 7 years, as two incredible women – survivors of child trafficking – took the bold step of bringing an unrecognised… Continue reading Even When I Fall interview with directors Sky Neal and Kate McLarnon and producer Elhum Shakerifar
Cork Film Festival 2018: teen spirit, 90s energy and graffiti love
After ten days of exploding cinema, Ireland’s premier film festival wrapped a programme packed with cutting-edge films last week. My first but short-length attendance to the festival was a wonderful discovery of, what felt like, one of the most inclusive events in the city of Cork. In its 63rd edition this year, Cork Film Festival… Continue reading Cork Film Festival 2018: teen spirit, 90s energy and graffiti love
The female gaze: 13 women on and off-screen at the 62nd BFI London Film Festival
Suburban Birds (2018) Dir. Qiu Sheng Qiu Sheng’s debut is a treatise on capitalism, an astonishing poem about the loss of nature and eventually the loss of our trust to her. With a superb eye for close-ups, low-angle camera shots and astonishing photography, it’s a raw and at times hypnotic account of two worlds: that… Continue reading The female gaze: 13 women on and off-screen at the 62nd BFI London Film Festival
Carla Simón on her influences and Summer 1993: “What I love about Cria Cuervos is that it really portrays the complex psychology of children”
Two decades following the passing of her mother, writer-director Carla Simón was en route to London to study at the London Film School where she was taught something very special about the way we’re telling stories. A year after her 30th birthday anniversary, Simón polishing off her debut feature, which won her the Berlin Best… Continue reading Carla Simón on her influences and Summer 1993: “What I love about Cria Cuervos is that it really portrays the complex psychology of children”
Another look: 68th Berlin International Film Festival
Argentinian director-screenwriter Alessia Chiesa’s debut feature, The Endless Day, enters the world of children’s play without grown-ups in sight. At first glance it’s life through play, reading stories and walking in the woods with Claa, Tino, Fan and Coco the dog. Careless and throwback days are followed by close-ups and superb cinematography until food supplies… Continue reading Another look: 68th Berlin International Film Festival
Unsane: a psychiatric care horror
Claire Foy confirms her talent as a major actress in Steven Soderbergh’s thriller Unsane. Her extraordinary role as victim Sawyer Valentini who is stalked by a psychokiller (Joshua Leonard) for two years, gradually grows stronger in a mental health system to which she's submitted unwillingly and turns out to be corrupt and full of lies.… Continue reading Unsane: a psychiatric care horror
The 11 best films of 2017… and their posters
My list of best films of 2017 opens with Maren Ade’s Oscar nominated comedy Toni Erdmann, a brilliant (and surreal) film that genuily illustrates our capitalist lives with perfectly balanced comedy. Featuring an amazing rendition of 'The Greatest Love of All' and perhaps the warmest fatherly love, Ade's film stole our hearts. Then Finnish director-screenwriter… Continue reading The 11 best films of 2017… and their posters
Six outstanding films by women filmmakers at the 61st BFI London Film Festival to understand our world
Of the total 242 feature films and 128 shorts from 67 countries screened at the 61st BFI London Film Festival, a quarter of the directors are female. It’s a depressing proportion but as the festival director claimed at the press launch of the programme, it’s rising. Over 12 days in October, I saw outstanding works… Continue reading Six outstanding films by women filmmakers at the 61st BFI London Film Festival to understand our world
Be bold for change: 11 international women in film
Gallery | To mark International Women’s Day, we celebrate women in film from around the world in March every year. Here are 11 women to honour and admire in 2017. Radical simply means grasping things at the root. – Angela Davies Close-up Chris Marker’s “Petite Planète” guides, each dedicated to a different country, which he initiated… Continue reading Be bold for change: 11 international women in film
