Author: Jenni Holtz
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CIFF Review: Finding yingying
“Finding Yingying” (2020) had its Chicago premiere at the 56th Annual Chicago International Film Festival. The documentary follows the extensive, heart-wrenching search for Yingying Zhang, a 26 year old Chinese student at a university in Illinois who went missing from a bus stop just weeks after moving to the United States. Director Jiayan ‘Jenny’ Shi began filming the search for the missing student shortly after it began, capturing life-altering events in real time as the Zhang family visited the United States for the first time, the university community took up the search, and international students voiced their concern for their safety.
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SQIFF Review: Lingua Franca
Writer, director, and actor Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” (2020) is an emotional, romantic drama that breaks new ground for Filipinx and transgender representation. Set in Trump’s America, the film is both timely and timeless. Olivia (Isabel Sandoval) is a Filipina trans woman living in Brooklyn, NY. There, she takes care of an elderly Russian woman, Olga (Lynn Cohen) and her grandson Alex (Eamon Farren). Throughout the feature, there are reminders of the impact of Trump’s presidency including ICE raids and strict, ever-changing immigration policies. Capturing America under the 45th president, “Lingua Franca” is extremely well-timed. Yet, the issues Olivia faces have long been struggles for trans women of color, making the film as timeless as it is timely.
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Review: Spiral (2020)
“You need to stop thinking that everyone’s out to get you all the time,” Aaron (Ari Cohen) says, in an effort to comfort Malik (Jeffrey Bower-Chapman) after he shares his suspicions about their new neighbors. The couple’s new neighborhood is picturesque: large homes sit among lush greenery and rolling hills. Despite the beauty on the outside, Malik fears there’s something sinister going on. In his search for answers, he uncovers things that make stomachs churn and hearts stop. Aaron’s words of dismissal push Malik deeper and deeper into the search for answers, changing both of their lives forever.
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Review: Spinster
In “Spinster” (2020), Chelsea Peretti takes the leading role in a not-so-romantic comedy for the first time. Known for her role as Gina Linetti on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and her stand-up special “One of the Greats”, Peretti’s comedic delivery and deadpan tone are her trademarks. She shows an emotional depth paired with her classic comedic performance in “Spinster,” carrying the charming film from start to finish.
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Review: Hannah Gadsby’s “Douglas” Comedy Special
Following her groundbreaking comedy special “Nanette” (2018), Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby became a household name. Praised for her honesty and blend of drama and comedy, Gadsby garnered a lot of attention with “Nanette,” leaving audiences eagerly awaiting her next special. Her second Netflix special, “Douglas” (2020), named for her beloved dog, does not disappoint.
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Review: A Secret Love
“Are you still holding out?” a man asks, seated across from his husband. Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel sit opposite the men and laugh in response. Despite being together for over sixty-five years, Pat has some hesitations about getting married. Those hesitations along with the couples’ life story are the subject of “A Secret Love” (2020).
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10 Great Standup Specials By Women Streaming Now
With all that’s going on in the world, we could all use a laugh! In no particular order, here are 15 wonderful standup specials by women that you can watch at home.
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Review: “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and Q&A with Céline Sciamma
“It’s done,” Céline Sciamma said through laughter, “I don’t need your approval!” Ten minutes earlier, a lengthy applause break punctuated the film screening and Sciamma was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation. Sitting in a folding director’s chair on-stage in the sold-out Music Box Theater in Chicago, IL, Sciamma shared insights on the filmmaking process during a question and answer session with the audience. The early pre-screening of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) was part of a press tour preceding the films wide release in the United States.
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Review: The Peanut Butter Falcon
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” (2019) was a breakout hit from writers and directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. Before this, Nilson and Schwartz directed documentaries and short films, so this narrative feature debut is a departure from their typical formats. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” has been very successful thus far. It’s the highest grossest indie film of 2019 for good reason. This modern retelling of the classic tale of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is a joy to watch. The twangy soundtrack, picturesque setting, and stellar performances work together to set “Peanut Butter Falcon” apart as a film unlike others.
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Retrospective Review: “Cam”
Doused in colorful lighting, Lola (Madeline Brewer) sits in front of a webcam with a knife in hand. She raises the knife to her throat and carefully presses down, releasing fake blood that flows down her front. Lola’s fans go wild, tuning in to more of her shows and sending her tips. Lola, who goes by Alice off-cam, is thrilled — she’s moving up the ranks of the livestreaming site thanks to her hard work crafting unique and exhilarating shows like the fake suicide show. With her newfound success, Alice continues to set up eye-catching shows to move further up the ranks. Another cam girl gets in her way, though. And she looks freakishly similar to Lola/Alice. The film takes a quick turn into psychological horror territory as Alice embarks on a mission to find the doppelganger and get to the bottom of things.
In Their Own League 