Category: SXSW Film Festival

Directors, Female Characters, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival, Underrepresented in Film, Women in Film, World Cinema

Sister & Sister (Las Hijas): SXSW 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 80 minutes Director/Writer: Kattia G. Zúñiga Actors: Ariana Chaves Gavilán, Cala Rossel Campos, Fernando Bonilla, Joshua De Leon, Milagros Fernandez, Gabriela Man By Rosa Parra Latin American cinema, Central American cinema in particular, isn’t given the necessary attention and acknowledgment it deserves. “Sister & Sister” (Las Hijas) is an example of why this type of cinema should be talked about alongside the … Continue reading Sister & Sister (Las Hijas): SXSW 2023 Review

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Documentaries, Female Filmmakers, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

Art for Everyone: SXSW 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 106 minutes Director: Miranda Yousef By Joan Amenn Disclaimer: I am not a fan of the works of Thomas Kinkade, who is the subject of this documentary by Miranda Yousef. Why am I reviewing it then? Because I am a fan of artists and films that tell their stories so I hoped to gain new insight into someone who I did not … Continue reading Art for Everyone: SXSW 2023 Review

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Documentaries, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival, Uncategorized

Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life: SXSW 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 80 minutes Director: Dan Covert Writers: Amy Dempsey, Dan Covert, Erik Auli, Tara Rose Stromberg By Joan Amenn Nominated for a Grand Jury Award at this year’s SXSW, “Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life” is an intriguing look at an artist who has managed to create ubiquitous images and yet, remain relatively unknown. Geoff McFetridge’s work can be seen everywhere from movie titles … Continue reading Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life: SXSW 2023 Review

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Activism, Documentaries, Female Filmmakers, Film Festivals, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

Pay or Die: SXSW 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 90 minutes Directors: Rachael Dyer and Scott Alexander Ruderman By Joan Amenn Nominated for a Grand Jury Award at this year’s SXSW, “Pay or Die” is a heartrending look at the cost of insulin and the emotional, physical and financial toll it has taken on citizens of the US. It is very important to note that the horrific scenarios shown in this … Continue reading Pay or Die: SXSW 2023 Review

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Film Festivals, Film Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Emergency

Year: 2022 Runtime: 105 minutes Directors:  Carey Williams Writers: K.D. Davila Cast: Donald Elise Watkins, RJ Cyler, Sebastian Chacon, Sabrina Carpenter, Maddie Nichols By Tom Moore Impactful conversations on racial discrimination and college party antics come together in director Carey Williams’ latest film, “Emergency”(2022), to make for a fun and funny coming of age story with a gut-punching finale. As Williams introduces “Emergency’s” main duo, … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Emergency

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Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: A Lot of Nothing

Year: 2022 Runtime: 104 minutes Directors:  Mo McRae Writers: Sarah Kelly Kaplan, Mo McRae Cast: Cleopatra Coleman, Y’lan Noel, Justin Hartley, Shamier Anderson, Lex Scott Davis By Tom Moore The feature directorial debut of Mo McRae, “A Lot of Nothing” (2022), tells an interesting story about black rage and frustration that’s unfortunately foiled by its approach and lack of focus. In the initial moments of … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: A Lot of Nothing

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Female Filmmakers, Interviews, Spotlight, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

Exclusive SXSW 2022 Interview: “Pretty Problems” Director Kestrin Pantera

By Joan Amenn Fresh from winning the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW this year, I got to sit down with Kestrin Pantera and talk about her film, “Pretty Problems” (2022). Also, I learned she has an adorable cat and is a talented musician in addition to being a savvy film director. Joan: What films influenced your vision in creating this film? Kestrin: For the … Continue reading Exclusive SXSW 2022 Interview: “Pretty Problems” Director Kestrin Pantera

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Documentaries, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW REVIEW: “NOTHING LASTS FOREVER” (2022) SHOWTIME

Year: 2022 Runtime: 87 minutes Director: Jason Kohn By: Peggy Marie One of the most fascinating documentaries at SXSW was from director Jason Kohn, who takes on the diamond trade with “Nothing Lasts Forever” (2022). The documentary takes a good, hard look at the world of diamond cartels and most importantly, at the difference between synthetic and real diamonds. Clue: you won’t know the difference and De … Continue reading SXSW REVIEW: “NOTHING LASTS FOREVER” (2022) SHOWTIME

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Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW 2022 Review: Master

Year: 2022 Runtime: 98 minutes Directors:  Mariama Diallo Writers: Mariama Diallo Cast: Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, Amber Gray, Julia Nightingale, Ella Hunt By Tom Moore Mariama Diallo’s feature directorial debut, “Master”(2022), is a psychological horror trek through systemic racism in American education that presents an enticing and engaging atmosphere. As the film’s two central black women arrive at the fictional college campus of Ancaster College, … Continue reading SXSW 2022 Review: Master

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Female Characters, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Indie Film, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival

SXSW REVIEW: “THE COW” (2022)

Year: 2022 Runtime: 90 minutes Director: Eli Horowitz Starring: Winona Ryder, Dermot Mulroney, John Gallagher Jr., Owen Teague, Brianne Tju Review By: Peggy Marie Winona Ryder is truly at some of her best here in Eli Horowitz’s “The Cow” (2022), along with Dermot Mulroney in this rather fun “genetic” little mystery thriller that twists along to an ending you’d never quite think of. While it’s not without … Continue reading SXSW REVIEW: “THE COW” (2022)

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