Turns out you do. And Cooper is both funny in it, and wondrous behind the camera. In a few words, it’s a film you won’t want to miss.
Read More
Dhafer L’Abidine and Yasmine Al Massri in a still from ‘Palestine 36’ courtesy of Philistine Films
The most important film you'll watch this year: Annemarie Jacir's Oscar submission 'Palestine 36'
Why, you ask? Because if we are ever to understand the Palestinian/Israeli issues of the present, we need to go back nearly a century and wrap our heads around the crimes, struggles and mistakes of the past.
Read More
Tessa Thompson in ‘Hedda’ by Nia DaCosta, photo courtesy of Amazon
Phenomenally wicked woman: Tessa Thompson blows it out of the water with her performance in 'Hedda'
The film, directed and written by Nia DaCosta based on the play by Henrik Ibsen, transports the story to 1950s England, with all its class issues and gender bias, and adds into the mix an LGBTQ twist that transforms what could be a dated narrative into one for the here and now.
Read More
Banin Ahmad Nayef in a still from ‘The President’s Cake’ courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Review: Iraqi Oscar hopeful 'The President's Cake' by Hasan Hadi at BFI London Film Festival
The Iraqi helmer’s film premiered in Cannes this year and suddenly, I couldn’t imagine a world without its presence. But it was as if one day, Hasan Hadi’s presence and talent exploded onto our consciousness, ready to take his place in the world of cinema greats.
Read More
Úrsula Corberó Delgado and Nahuel Pérez Biscayart in a still from ‘Kill the Jockey’, used with permission
Why we awarded 'Kill the Jockey' Best Film at the London Spanish Film Festival
While Luis Ortega’s stunning 2024 film may be primarily an Argentinian title, as a Spanish co-production jury members Vincent Jaskowski-Prowse, Leigh Singer and I were able to celebrate the title in style at this year’s festival. And, in the process, we discovered a film that has filled our dreams ever since.
Read More
'Broken English' in Venice: The unjust unmaking of Marianne Faithfull will be undone!
Two wondrous filmmakers, two outstanding actors and one musical legend come together to recount an icon and set the record straight. In more ways than one.
Read More
A still from ‘Cotton Queen’, courtesy of Strange Bird
The rebel queen who conquered my heart: Suzannah Mirghani's 'Cotton Queen' review
Behind what could be a simple tale of a young girl coming of age in Sudan, filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani’s debut feature weaves an extraordinary and cautionary tale of respect for one’s self and for the environment around us, which are always crucially, and importantly intertwined.
Read More
A still from ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ courtesy of Focus Features
Why 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' is the perfect way to end (and maybe begin again?)
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes a perfect “franchise” film and the Simon Curtis-directed 2025 gem, in theaters on Friday, September 12th, may just end up winning the prize.
Read More
Yile Vianello in a still from ‘AGON’ by Giulio Bertelli, photo courtesy of The Match Factory
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be champions: Giulio Bertelli's 'AGON' gives an unprecedented insight into women's sport
This stunning film, which packs a punch and relentlessly holds on to the viewer, until you realize you may have just run out of breath, world premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival in the 40th edition of Critics’ Week, one of the festival’s parallel section.
Read More
Toni Servillo in Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘La Grazia’, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
The sign of a great man is elegance, and grace: a review of Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia'
The Neapolitan Maestro’s perfect, awards-worthy Venice opener sees Toni Servillo playing an out-going Italian President of the Republic who, faced with several life-changing choices, allows us, the audience, to discover through him the true meaning of the word “grace”.
Read More
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington’ now in theaters
Must-Watch: Ari Aster's 'Eddington' is a Western farce with a message, a very strong message
In spreading his message of lives often lived in shades of grey — not just good vs. bad — the American filmmaker enlists a quartet of actors who are redefining cinema as we know it.
Read More
Sergei Eisenstein’s 'Battleship Potemkin' gets a restored cinematic re-release with Pet Shop Boys score to celebrate its centenary
The iconic film has never looked so good or sounded so hauntingly modern and this remastered version, courtesy of the Deutsche Kinemathek, will be in UK cinemas starting August 22nd. Why watch it, you may ask? Because the 1925 film has never been so bang on, filled with actuality and gravitas.
Read More
A still from ‘Cotton Queen’ by Suzannah Mirghani, which will screen in Critics’ Week in Venice
Doha Film Institute Venice-bound films include the stunning 'Cotton Queen' by Suzannah Mirghani and Kaouther Ben Hania's Competition title 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'
Other titles supported by the respected Qatari cinematic organization include Jihan K’s personal doc on the disappearance of her father during the Qaddafi regime, Cyril Aris’ ‘A Sad and Beautiful World’ starring Mounia Akl, which will be screening in the Official Selection and Giornate degli Autori lineups, respectively, along with Sofia Alaoui’s sci-fi fable ‘Tarfaya’ which participates in the Venice Production Bridge.
Read More
'The Most Precious of Cargoes' is the most beautiful film you haven't been able to watch. Yet.
If I have anything to do with it, Oscar-winning director Michel Hazanavicius’ animated masterpiece will soon come to US cinemas so that you too can experience this gem in all its actuality, poignancy and beauty.
Read More
Harvey Schein, photo courtesy of the Schein family archives
Justin Schein's 'Death & Taxes' reexamines the American Dream, all the while painting a bold family portrait
And this documentary proves one to be watched, if you find yourself in NYC starting July 18th and LA from July 25th.
Read More
'Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness' by Johnny Depp is the film that should be on everyone's watch list
I was lucky to witness a special London screening of the film, thanks to Fashion and Cinema’s Joana Granero, featuring her Q&A with costume designer Penny Rose. And found myself falling in love with an artist whose breaking of conventions has become the stuff of legends… But I’ll leave you guessing just who that is.
Read More
Paolo Sorrentino by © Michael Avedon, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Paolo Sorrentino's 'La Grazia' (Grace) will open this year's Venice Film Fest
And I’ll tell you why I’m excited, plus reveal a bit of the story and where it will take place.
Read More
'Saint Damian' Raindance Review: It's a big, bad world out there
It is rare to encounter a film that is so utterly honest and true to its subject, no matter how difficult a tale that is to tell. Gregorio Sassoli and Alejandro Cifuentes, the duo behind the documentary ‘Saint Damian’ have managed such a feat, and in the process, have created a masterpiece that will crack open some much needed truths, all the while conquering every heart in the audience.
Read More
A still of Karla Murthy with her father, courtesy of the filmmaker
A very personal review: 'The Gas Station Attendant' premieres at Sheffield Doc Fest
Back when I was growing up in the US, there was a saying: “Everybody loves a winner” a phrase derived possibly from the 1967 song. Nowadays, from social media to the movies, and through everything in between, we’ve come to love the “losers” much much more. In her personal documentary, award winning filmmaker Karla Murthy talks about one such person. Someone very very close to her — her dad.
Read More
Wholesome fun: my thoughts on Disney's 'Elio'
I attended a special Father’s Day UK screening of the film this past weekend and was impressed by the hold ‘Elio’ had on the younger audiences. But the story has completely changed from the one announced in 2023 — from “sci-fi horror” to a lighthearted, yet meaningful comedy adventure about a little boy’s need to be accepted.
Read More