How to Have Sex: Cannes Film Festival 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 98 minutes Writer/director: Molly Manning Walker Actors: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Lara Peake, Enva Lewis, Shaun Thomas, Samuel Bottomley, Laura Ambler, Eilidh Loan By Sarah Manvel It’s very normal in the UK for kids to be allowed to travel with their friends to go celebrate the exams taken when they are sixteen. These trips generally involve going someplace cheap and sunny, where there’s plentiful … Continue reading How to Have Sex: Cannes Film Festival 2023 Review

Egghead & Twinkie: SIFF Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 87 minutes Director/Writer: Sarah Kambe Holland Actors: Sabrina Jieafa, Louis Tomeo, Asahi Hirano, J. Scott Browning, Roger Greco, Kelley Mauro, Ayden Lee By Joan Amenn Kicking off my coverage of the Seattle International Film Festival with this film was honestly one of my best choices of the last week. I initially thought that with a title like “Egghead & Twinkie” I should … Continue reading Egghead & Twinkie: SIFF Review

Banel & Adama: Cannes Film Festival 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 87 minutes Writer/Director: Ramata-Toulaye Sy Actors: Khady Mane, Mamadou Diallo, Binta Racine Sy, Moussa Sow By Sarah Manvel First-time director Ramata-Toulaye Sy has struck gold with her first feature, “Banel & Adama,” and has also made history as the first French woman (and only the second black woman; she is also Senegalese) to have her debut film be selected for the main … Continue reading Banel & Adama: Cannes Film Festival 2023 Review

Simple Comme Sylvain / The Nature of Love: Cannes Film Festival 2023 Review

Year:2023 Runtime: 110 minutes Written and directed by: Monia Chokri Actors: Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Magalie Lépine-Blondeau, Francis-William Rhéaume, Monia Chokri, Guillaume Laurin By Sarah Manvel The French title’s sense of the word ‘simple’ is that of uncomplicated, not stupid. However there’s plenty of stupidity on display in this film, though little from the part of Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal, having a wonderful time) himself. He is a … Continue reading Simple Comme Sylvain / The Nature of Love: Cannes Film Festival 2023 Review

Review: The Cow Who Sang a Song into the Future

Year: 2022 Runtime: 93 minutes Director: Francisca Alegria Writers: Francisca Alegria, Manuela Infante, Fernanda Urrejola Actors: Mia Maestro, Enzo Ferrada Rosati, Leonor Varela, Alfredo Castro, Marcial Tagle By Joan Amenn Just to answer the most burning question readers of this review will have, no cows sing in this film. The title, like the film, is a gloriously surreal plunge into magical realism. Be prepared to … Continue reading Review: The Cow Who Sang a Song into the Future

Atlanta Film Festival 2023: Favorites of the Fest

By Brian Skutle I have two documentaries that screened at the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival that I wasn’t able to watch at the festival, but hope to review later in the month, but before that happens, I wanted to highlight some of my favorites of the festival, feature films, short films, and performances from women and POC that I’ve found myself thinking about as I … Continue reading Atlanta Film Festival 2023: Favorites of the Fest

The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this May

By Tom Moore and Valerie Kalfrin May features a wide range of releases that touch on different female-directed films from around the globe. From documentaries touching on true-crime and the history of an acclaimed artist to some star-studded originals that’ll surely hook wide audiences, May definitely has it all. There’s even a team-up between Jennifer Lopez and “Mulan” director Niki Caro that’s set to be … Continue reading The Lineup: The Films We’re Eyeing this May

Wilder Than Her: ATLFF 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Running Time: 88 minutes Written and Directed by Jessica Kozak Actors: Kayla Foster, Sunita Mani, Kate Easton, Becca Q. Co, Danny Deferrari, Alyssa Abiera By Brian Skutle I don’t know if it’s just the films I’ve decided to focus on in my watching at the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival, but I don’t remember, in my now-five years of covering the festival, quite as … Continue reading Wilder Than Her: ATLFF 2023 Review

“Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 106 Minutes Director/Writer: Kelly Fremon Craig Stars: Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, Kathy Bates, Elle Graham, Echo Kellum, Isol Young, Amari Alexis Price, Katherine Kupferer By Morgan Roberts Despite many attempts to remove the Judy Blume classic, “Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret.” from bookshelves, the preteen novel has survived since the early 1970s. It has been a book … Continue reading “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Review

Film Review: A Thousand and One

Year: 2023 Runtime: 117 minutes Directed by/Written By: A.V. Rockwell Actors: Teyana Taylor, Aaron Kingsley Adetola, Josiah Cross, William Catlett, Aven Courtney By Tom Moore The feature directorial debut of A.V. Rockwell, “A Thousand and One,” is a deeply moving portrayal of motherhood and a prolific era in New York City led by incredible performances and steady direction. The film follows Inez (Teyana Taylor) – … Continue reading Film Review: A Thousand and One