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.
Action Item. Individual Anxiety Meets Collective Rage.
Festivals
Reviews and dispatches exploring the best new cinema premiering around the world.
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.
Cannes Competition Week One: Surrender to the Rhythm
From the overhyped Eddington to German sensation Sound of Falling to the techno-infused Sirât, here is week one of the Cannes 2025 competition.
Love Me Tender Keenly Depicts The Perils of Queer Parenting.
The way institutions discriminate against queer parents is expertly depicted in Love Me Tender, with a standout performance from Vicky Krieps.
Dandelion’s Odyssey Equates the Cosmos with a Single Flower
Despite the powerful idea at its core, the fundamental premise of Dandelion’s Odyssey makes it extremely hard to identify with its characters.
The Phoenician Scheme. Wes Anderson’s Most Inessential Film.
The Phoenician Scheme is a spy caper that feels like a glorified cameo-fest, and is the first Wes Anderson film that feels completely inessential.