Director Sara Blecher’s Mayfair has some interesting ideas swirling round, even if the execution is not perfect. After losing his job as an international aid worker, Zaid returns to his hometown of Mayfair in Johannesburg. His father’s business is in trouble, owing money to some dangerous people. Zaid reluctantly steps in to help… Directed by Sara Blecher with a screenplay by Neil […]
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Yorgos Lanthimos hits the target once more with the brilliant The Favourite. The film is Lanthimos’ most enjoyable to date. It is the early 18th century, and England is at war with France. Queen Anne, in an ailing state, is guided by her friend and confidant Lady Sarah. When Lady Sarah’s cousin arrives, there is an upheaval at court… Directed […]
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Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami’s comedy The Breaker Upperers is a sprightly and amiable affair. Jen and Mel provide something of an usual service. The pair help people break up with their partners, often in outlandish or inventive ways. Jen and Mel will engineer an affair or crash a wedding to help their clients get out of relationships… Written […]
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Terry Gilliam’s long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote features all the hallmarks we have come to expect from the filmmaker. The film is imperfect but endearing. Director Toby is having trouble filming an adaption of Cervantes’ Don Quixote. He gets inspiration from his student film adaptation, which sets him off on quite the adventure… Several years after the project […]
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Machérie Ekwa Bahango’s Maki’la is an engaging drama. The film is an authentic portrait of a tragic situation. Maki’la has been living hand to mouth in Kinshasa for a long time. She is married to a gang leader who spends all his time drinking and taking drugs. When Maki meets a young girl new to the streets, she reluctantly takes […]
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David Mackenzie’s Outlaw King is a solid historical action drama. The film boasts good performances and production values. In 1304, King Edward’s army has triumphed in Scotland, and has forced Scottish lords to pledge their allegiance to the English king. Robert the Bruce decides to fight back against English rule, but he is vastly outnumbered… Director and co-writer David Mackenzie […]
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Jessica Hynes directorial debut is a character-driven drama. Despite some small qualms, The Fight works for the most part. Life is tough for Tina. She and her husband are struggling to juggle their full-time jobs whilst looking after their children. Tina’s mother is threatening to leave her father, and her daughter is being bullied at school… Written, directed by and starring […]
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Guto Parente’s The Cannibal Club (O Clube dos Canibais) is an unsubtle satire on Brazil’s ultra-wealthy society. The film is a dark, unsettling watch. Octavio and Gilda live a privileged existence. Separated from the rest of society in their protected mansion, the wealthy couple have an usual predilection. Their servants are also their prospective next meal… Writer-director Guto Parente delivers […]
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Alice Rohrwacher’s Happy As Lazzaro (Lazzaro Felice) is a time-bending tale. The concept is great, even if the execution does not always pay off. Lazzaro is a sweet-natured young man who is often taken advantaged of for his naivety. His life changes when he is befriended by Tancredi, the son of the Marchesa. Tancredi wanted Lazzaro’s help for a scheme… Written […]
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Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Suspiria is a sway which builds to a cacophony. It is quite the cinematic experience. American student Susie Bannion travels to Berlin to audition at a famous dance company. But not everything is quite what it seems, with Susie taking the room of a girl who was seeing a psychotherapist about her delusions… After the success […]
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