The Five Devils (Les Cinq Diables): BFI Flare 2023 review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 103 minutes Director: Lea Mysius Writers: Paul Guilhaume, Lea Mysius Actors: Adele Exarchopoulos, Sally Dramé, Moustapha Mbengue, Swala Emati, Daphne Patakia, Hugo Dillon By Sarah Manvel This is an unusual and unusually disturbing movie for reasons that are very hard to articulate without spoilers. Without going into too many details, it boils down to a family being trapped in a time loop … Continue reading The Five Devils (Les Cinq Diables): BFI Flare 2023 review

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

Film Review: Unseen (2023)

Year: 2023 Runtime: 76 minutes Director: Yoko Okumura Writers: Salvatore Cardoni, Brian Rawlins Actors: Jolene Purdy, Midori Francis, Michael Patrick Lane, Missi Pyle, Ren Hanami By Tom Moore Director Yoko Okumura’s feature debut, “Unseen,” defines “doing a lot with a little” as her strong direction, two incredible central performances, and one killer premise all come together for a highly engaging and entertaining thrill ride. “Unseen” … Continue reading Film Review: Unseen (2023)

Under the Sky of Damascus: Berlinale 2023 Review

Year: 2023 Runtime: 88 Minutes Directed by Heba Khaled, Talal Derki, Ali Wajeeh By Sarah Manvel Sometimes the purpose of a documentary is to shine a light on a part of the world most people will never see. Sometimes the purpose is to provide a voice to people who feel they have no voice of their own (which is nonsense of course, we all have … Continue reading Under the Sky of Damascus: Berlinale 2023 Review