Ondřej Provazník’s sophomore film is a slow-burn look at abuse featuring a brilliant performance from Juraj Loj as a manipulative choirmaster.
Broken Voices Makes The Right Choices
Redmond Bacon
Redmond is the editor-in-chief of Journey Into Cinema.
Before/After’s Enigmatic Ellipses
Two balding men travel to Instanbul for a transplant in Manoël Dupont’s uneven yet fascinating hybrid film Before/After.
Divia Bears Witness to Ecocide
With careful drone footage and plenty of nature shots, Dmytro Hreshko creates a powerful portrait of how Russia has commited ecocide in Ukraine.
Action Item. Individual Anxiety Meets Collective Rage.
At once an abstract exploration of mental health and a potent political piece, Action Item is a fine mid-length essay doc from Paula Ďurinová.
Out Of Love. Elevated Social Realism.
While the story of Out of Love is nothing new, Nathan Ambriosioni’s carefully-measured style shows him off as a director of great techincal talent.
The Luminous Life. Love Under Capitalism.
The spirit of Éric Rohmer lives on in João Rosas excellent Crystal Globe entry The Luminuous Life, capturing the perils of love under capitalism.
Trains, Closely Observed
With no voiceover used, Maciej J. Drygas relies entirely on montage, music and sound design to use trains to tell the story of the twentieth century.
Jurassic World Rebirth Puts the Awe Back in Dinosaur
Jurassic World Rebirth is a welcome return to form for a franchise that had severely lost its way, even if the final screenplay is somewhat wanting.
Gatsby with the Dad Jokes
Tim Key provides a masterclass of tragicomic acting in the subtle yet often hilarious The Ballad of Wallis Island, replete with brilliant folk songs.
The Salt Path Takes a Hike
Despite its beautiful scenery and excellent performances, coastal drama The Salt Path can’t walk its way into a compelling storyline.