Film Review: Refuge

Year: 2021 Runtime: 78 minutes Directors: Erin Bernhardt and Din Blankenship By Morgan Roberts How do we unlearn hate? How do we break past our prejudices to love those who look and live differently than us?  In the documentary film, “Refuge,” we see just that. Chris Buckley is a veteran who returned from combat, traumatized and looking to make sense of what he endured.  Instead, … Continue reading Film Review: Refuge

Lynn Shelton

On Lynn Shelton, Messy 30-Somethings, and the Beauty of Complexity

By Morgan Roberts This is part personal, part film dissection. Do you remember the first time you saw a film from your favorite filmmaker? Do you remember the wonder? The awe?  The vibrating magic that seared through your soul as a creative paradigm shift happened to you? I remember mine.   I was in my last year or so of undergrad. I was attending school … Continue reading On Lynn Shelton, Messy 30-Somethings, and the Beauty of Complexity

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)

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

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