Parallel Mothers: NYFF Review

Year: 2021 Runtime: 2 hours Director: Pedro Almodóvar Writer: Pedro Almodóvar Stars: Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Rossy de Palma By Valerie Kalfrin Mothers and daughters, identity and history combine in “Parallel Mothers” (2021), a twisty tale from writer-director Pedro Almodóvar that suggests our life stories don’t run on parallel tracks so much as intertwine. The closing night film of the New … Continue reading Parallel Mothers: NYFF Review

Pride Month, Retrospective Review: Pain & Glory (Dolor y gloria)

There’s growth all around “Pain & Glory” (2019), personal, universal, and out with the film itself, and while there is an overarching narrative, Pedro Almodóvar’s film is as equally about his self journey as it is Salvador Mallo’s back and forth throughout life. A story of pleasure, it is Almodóvar after all, this film accounts for the lost opportunities, the rekindled friendships and plunges back into life, rebutting the dark stupors of depression, isolation and a rejection of the self – all in favour to produce a methodical, grim film which seeks as much enjoyment it can from the struggles of life. Continue reading Pride Month, Retrospective Review: Pain & Glory (Dolor y gloria)

LGBT+ Filmmakers & Where to Stream Them

The LGBT+ community has been contributing to the film industry since the industry’s beginnings. Despite this, it is uncommon to find LGBT+ people receiving recognition for their work behind the camera. I’ve compiled a selection of currently available movies with LGBT+ directors, writers, composers/lyricists and where they can be streamed. It’s by no means an end all be all list of the greatest LGBT+ contributions to cinema, so I’m sorry if I’ve left of anyone’s favorites… This is just a place to start. Continue reading LGBT+ Filmmakers & Where to Stream Them