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.
Author Archives: Julian Janssen
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.
Leiden 2023 Review: “The Old Oak”
The Leiden International Film Festival (LIFF), spanning from October 26 to November 5 this year, presents a rich array of cinema, stretching from the thought-provoking arthouse to the more accessible mainstream, offering a feast for all film lovers. Since its first edition in 2006, it has blossomed into one of the Netherlands’ most-anticipated film gatherings. This review of Ken Loach’s ‘The Old Oak’ kicks off a series of reviews spotlighting some of the films showcased at LIFF.
VIFF 2023 Review: “The Mother of All Lies”
© Insight Films “The Mother of All Lies” by Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir is a masterfully crafted, intimate, and personal experimental documentary. With a meticulous handmade set and figurines, El Moudir dives deep into her family’s history in the Casablanca neighborhood, seeking to heal past wounds and strengthen family bonds. This in-depth exploration ofContinue reading “VIFF 2023 Review: “The Mother of All Lies””
VIFF 2023 Review: “Here”
© Cinema Guild With “Here”, Belgian auteur Bas Devos delivers another transcending meditative experience, reflecting both the familiar hallmarks of his filmmaking style and refreshingly innovative steps into brighter realms. As is familiar with Devos, viewers are treated to small leisurely walks along Belgian streets in a small but incredibly impactful portrayal of a fewContinue reading “VIFF 2023 Review: “Here””
VIFF 2023 Review: “Only the River Flows”
© Lian Ray Pictures “Only the River Flows” takes its viewers to a neo-noir world set against early 1990s rural China. Here, a murder case casts a dark shadow over a quaint town by the river. The mind behind this atmospheric piece is Wei Shujun, who, in collaboration with Kang Chunlei, adapted Yu Hua’s evocativeContinue reading “VIFF 2023 Review: “Only the River Flows””
VIFF 2023 Review: “Terrestrial Verses”
In a year where grim stories about Iran and its government have dominated Western news outlets, “Terrestrial Verses” by Ali Asgari and Alireza Khatami echoes the somber sentiments widely portrayed. Through 20 carefully constructed tableaus/vignettes, the film reveals the everyday struggles of Iranians, offering a more intimate, complex, yet at times monotomous perspective on life in the country .
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