Like every other film in its genre, No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman can’t help but make being a sniper look awesome; the drama is sadly not up to par.
Not Without My Sister
Venice
The last of the “big three” European film festivals of the year, Venice marks the gliterring kickstart of the Oscar season.
Tell Me Things. Tell Me Big Little Things.
While Big Little Things is based upon a well-worn queer premise, the execution gives us just enough complexity to stick with it.
A Hill of Beans in a Crazy World
Talky drama One Minute to Midnight is certainly pleasant, but its not gripping enough to justify inclusion in the Venice Competition.
What Belongs to Others Is a Chilling, Enigmatic Character Study
Shot in classic naturalist social realist style, What Belongs to Others is a portrait of a thief with an elusive, convincing performance by Monika Kwiatkowska.
Arrested Memory. Frontal Underload.
Sabu’s Arrested Memory is a weird blend of crime comedy, emotional journey and martial arts movie. None of it really coheres.
The City of the Living Exhumes a Shocking Roman Death
Subverting the usual expectations of true crime, The City of the Living is noticeable for the amount it focusses on the victim of a notorious Roman murder.
The Life of a Feminist Icon
Francesca Archibugi’s Carla Lonzi, a Feminist Story is a touching remembrance of one of Italy’s most trailblazing feminists.
Hats Off to Diane
Un détour par Diane by Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni expertly blurs the boundaries between one woman’s lived experience and another’s emotional life.
Jupiter, Descending
Denis Ménochet lends tremendous gravitas to a Macron-esque president trying to avert nuclear war in Alexandre Smia’s Jupiter, playing in Out Of Competition.
An Eerie Maternal Bond, Under a Volcano’s Shadow
Borrowing Reygadas’ DOP, Ana Cristina Barragán’s taboo-breaking film The Ivy doesn’t satisfy, even if it keeps us curious.