Foreign

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, exponentially it does:   “STARLESS DREAMS”; IRAN. Powerful, disturbing documentary by director Mehrdad Oskovei, takes place in a juvenile detention center on the outskirts of Tehran; female murderers, thieves, prostitutes, drug-addicted, homeless; the oldest is seventeen. The result of a male-dominated, sharia law society where women are chattel, without a voice, …

There has never been a better Festival in the history of “Festdom”.  In the last three days I have visited eleven films, a myriad of countries, and on a five-star rating, the lowest star bestowed was a four.  Here are a few, that presented with the opportunity, should be seen:   “SWEET DREAMS”; ITALY/FRANCE. A mesmerizing, enchanting story of  devastating …

“LAYLA M.”; NETHERLANDS/BELGIUM. Timely, contemporary view of today’s troubled society; director Mijke de Jong tackles the traumatic issue of a Dutch-Moroccan teen (Layla. Magnificent performance by Nora El Koussour) frustrated by, what she feels, is a lack of respect by fellow Muslims and Amsterdam citizens, for Islam and Allah. Beautifully filmed and constructed, “Layla M.” focuses on the evolution from …

An exhilarating week infused with exceptionally fine films, thanks to the prescience of our Founder Michael Kutza and Programmer Mimi Plauche. Here are a few more to add to your viewing pleasure:   “THE STUDENT”; RUSSIA. Director Kirill Serbrennikov stuns with his protagonist “Venya” whose religious fundamentalism has gone berserk; his rants, focusing on the gospels, become more frantic, belligerent, …

This is an outrageously gluttonous cinematic time, and I imbibe to the fullest. Nine films into the festival, here is a sample of “must sees”: “La La Land”; USA. Gifted Director Damien Chazelle splays across the wide screen a vivid, reminiscent musical; shades of the 40’s with stunning performances by Ryan Gosling and especially Emma Stone. Light-hearted, beautifully poignant and …

Director Andrea Arnold’s (“Fish Tank”) “American Honey” is rough, gritty, ugly, disturbing and at times profoundly poetic, and I did not care for it. Puzzling when greatness dazzles and your natural instinct is to turn away. “Star” (sharp and poignant depiction by Sasha Lane) is eighteen, caring for two children,(there is a vagueness as to their bond, familial or otherwise) …

Fifty-nine-year-old “Ove”, (Rolf Lassgard) bereaved widower, childless, retired, dresses impeccably, clean-shaven daily, preparing for his suicide; based on the novel by Fredrik Backman and directed by Hannes Holm, “A Man Called Ove” is a profoundly moving depiction of a man scarred by life’s injustices, rescued emotionally by an enchanting teacher “Sonja” (Ida Engvoll) only once again to be stunned by …

A lugubrious film of bleakness and ennui, based on the 2002 autobiographical novel by renown Israeli writer Amos Oz (aka Klausner, 1939). Natalie Portman directs, adapts and stars as Oz’s clinically depressed mother Fania (1913-1951), and her march towards extinction. The location is Jerusalem, 1947. Told through the wizened eyes of an elderly Oz (understand why it took him a …

Reinhard Heydrich (1904-1942), aka the “Butcher of Prague”, architect of Hitler’s Final Solution was assassinated by Czech resistance fighters on June 4th, 1942. Director Sean Ellis personifies the seven courageous parachutists who willingly sacrificed their lives to fulfill their ambitious, bleak mission. Focusing on Jozef Gabcik (intensely, efficaciously portrayed by Cillian Murphy: “Breakfast on Pluto”, “Wind that Shakes the Barley”) …

Notwithstanding, Meryl Streep’s iconic acting acuity and director Stephen Frears good intentions the film is lackluster and sparkless compared to France’s  “Marguerite” (with the incomparable Catherine Frot); Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) was a music patron, completely tone deaf,  delusional in fancying  herself an opera diva; because of her wealth, generosity and protective partner, many suffered through her screeching interpretations of …