“Memories of a Burning Body,” the sophomore feature by director Antonella Sudasassi Furniss where the Costa Rican director once again takes the stage at the Berlinale Film Festival shines with her storytelling prowess. Following the acclaim of her first feature, “The Awakening of the Ants,” for its strong feminist lens, Sudasassi Furniss returns with a narrative that pushes the boundaries of how the internal world of women, particularly those of advanced age, is portrayed in cinema even further.
Author Archives: Julian Janssen
Berlinale 2024 Review: ¨In the Belly of a Tiger¨
“In the Belly of a Tiger,” the sophomore feature by director Siddharta Jatla, takes audiences into the bleak realities of a Northern Indian village, grappling with poverty and the extreme choices some are forced to make in the name of survival. This Indian film, inspired by true events, unflinchingly portrays the life-and-death struggles of its characters, who are caught in a cycle of exploitative labor and increasing desperation. The narrative’s core, centered around the haunting possibility of self-sacrifice to a tiger for government compensation, introduces a unique blend of class drama and horror elements that sets the stage for an intense exploration of human resilience and familial bonds.
Berlinale 2024 Review: “I Saw Three Black Lights”
Set against the serene backdrop of the Colombian jungle, I Saw Three Black Lights unfolds as an evocative exploration into the realms of heritage, mortality, and the profound connection to ancestral lands and culture. Directed by Santiago Lozano Álvarez, this film transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling, creating a mesmerizing audiovisual experience that honors Afro-Colombian culture and confronts the ominous threats of external violence.
Berlinale 2024 Review: “Arcadia”
Yorgos Zois’s newest film, “Arcadia,” is a moving examination of human loss and resiliency that makes a significant addition to the ever-innovative Greek film landscape. With remarkable performances from Vangelis Mourikis and Angeliki Papoulia, the film takes a unique turn that both distinguishes it from other movies as well as elevates a genre that is prone to recurrence. With an intriguing and captivating viewpoint, Zois creates a artfully structured narrative that ties in common experiences.
Rotterdam 2024 Review: “78 Days”
“78 Days,” the debut feature film by Emilija Gašić, premiering at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), is a remarkable Serbian production that delves into the heart of a family’s experience during the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia in 1999. Through an evocative narrative captured in the style of a home video, Gašić brings to the screen a story that intertwines the innocence of youth with the harrowing realities of war, making it a true standout example of found-footage filmmaking.
Rotterdam 2024 Review: “Steppenwolf”
Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s latest film, “Steppenwolf,” is an exploration of trauma, violence, and masculinity, presented through the story of a mother looking for her missing child. Set against the backdrop of a violence-ridden small town engulfed in riots, the film follows Tamara, a traumatized woman in a nearly catatonic state of dissociation, as she searches for her son, Timka. Tamara’s desperation leads her to enlist the help of a brutal former investigator, offering him a reward to bring her child back. This unlikely partnership sets the stage for a fascinating journey through a landscape of despair and brutality.
Rotterdam 2024 Review: “How to Have Sex”
IFFR Throughout history, a great number of stories have been told through the male gaze. Even when female characters are centered, they’re often shaped by the desires of male artists. As a result, these works predominantly cater to male audiences. Yet, as the contemporary sociopolitical climate increasingly amplifies women’s voices, the cinematic landscape adjusts accordingly.Continue reading “Rotterdam 2024 Review: “How to Have Sex””
Rotterdam 2024 Review: “The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire”
“The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire” by Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich is a profound exploration of the life of a groundbreaking yet often overlooked intellectual figure. The film, lasting a concise 75 minutes, adeptly brings to the forefront Suzanne Césaire’s multifaceted identity as an anti-colonial writer, educator, and feminist, but also a real person with her own inner world. Hunt-Ehrlich’s work is a compelling reclamation of Suzanne’s rightful place in history, which has been obscured by the shadow of her more famous husband, Aimé Césaire.
Leiden 2023 Review: “Femme”
Based on their 2021 Bafta-nominated short of the same name, Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s debut feature, “Femme”, is a thrilling and thought-provoking film that delves deep into the themes of trauma, identity, and retribution through the eyes of a queer character who refuses to be silenced or erased, even after having faced immense tragedy.
Leiden 2023 Review: “The Feeling That the Time For Doing Something Has Passed”
“The Feeling That the Time For Doing Something Has Passed” is the hilarious and provocative debut feature film by Joanna Arnow, who wrote, directed, edited, and starred in this unconventional comedy. The film is as uproariously hilarious as it is provocatively transgressive and personal. Arnow stars as Ann, a character who is far removed from your typical rom-com protagonist. Trapped in the monotony of a soul-sucking 9-to-5 job, Ann seeks out a series of BDSM encounters with various men, each promising an escape from the dull throes of corporate life and providing a glimpse into the character’s wildest fantasies.
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