Mark Jenkin’s loopy tour of the Celtic regions of the world (and Los Angeles) is British cinema and its most pure and eccentric. Essential viewing.
I Saw the Face of God in The Jet Wash. Celtic Spirit on Super 8.
Festivals
Reviews and dispatches exploring the best new cinema premiering around the world.
Broken Voices Makes The Right Choices
Ondřej Provazník’s sophomore film is a slow-burn look at abuse featuring a brilliant performance from Juraj Loj as a manipulative choirmaster.
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.
Ride or Die. Love, Fight, Cry.
A lesbian relationship is put to the ultimate test in Josalynn Smith’s debut feature, the tenderhearted and politically resonant road movie Ride or Die.
What Remains from Cannes 2025?
Jafar Panahi’s Un Simple Accident Palme characterises a Cannes line-up that will be better known for its political potential than its aesthetic content.