Andrés Peyrot’s “God is a Woman” is an impactful documentary that serves to empower a community, but also teaches an essential lesson about ethical filmmaking. Premiering as the opening film of the Critic’s Week of the Venice Film Festival, this Swiss-Panamanian creation avoids the traditional ‘outsider-looking-in’ approach, instead providing the Indigenous Kuna people of Panama with agency to shape their own narrative.
Author Archives: Julian Janssen
Venice 2023 Review: “Photophobia”
Ivan Ostrochovský’s and Pavol Pekarčík´s documentary “Photophobia” premiered at the Venice Film Festival with the intention of giving viewers an intimate look into the lived experiences of war. Centered on 12-year-old Niki and his family, who are confined to a metro station in Kharkiv due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the film offers moments of emotional weight and provides some insight into the lives of some of the regular Ukrainian people who are affected by the war, but ultimately falls short of full realization as a result of its limiting runtime.
Venice 2023 Review: “Melk”
In Stefanie Kolk’s debut feature “Melk,” which premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, emotional resonance emerges not through melodramatic performances or sentimental dialogue but rather through the naturalistic portrayal of the characters and their nuanced relationships. This Dutch entry into the festival serves not only as a profound exploration of grief, womanhood, and life-altering events but also as a keenly observed study of personal grief and the intricacies of human connection. “Melk” quietly but powerfully delves into the life of Robin, played by Frieda Barnhard, a woman navigating the aftermath of an enormous loss.
Locarno 2023 Review: “Sweet Dreams”
In Bosnian-Dutch director Ena Sendijarević’s sophomore feature “Sweet Dreams,” an unflinching narrative unfolds, exposing just a fraction of the horrors of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia. The film, which premiered in the International Competition at the 76th Locarno Film Festival, eloquently juggles dark satire and profound tragedy. It boldly presents the evils and terror the Dutch colonizers caused, marking a radical departure from the traditional lenient portrayals in Dutch cinema.
Locarno 2023 Review: “Essential Truths of the Lake”
Essential Truths of the Lake, the latest work from acclaimed Philippine director Lav Diaz, arrives at the Locarno Film Festival as a fascinating prequel to last year’s When the Waves Are Gone. It is a film of contradiction, complexity, and deep resonance, weaving political commentary, existential pondering, and a grounded police procedural into a textured and innovative work.
Locarno 2023 Review: “Manga D’Terra”
“Manga D’Terra,” directed by the Swiss-Portuguese filmmaker Basil da Cunha, takes its audience into the heart of a struggle that is both poignant and profoundly moving. It narrates the story of Rosinha, a character played with astounding authenticity by Elina Rosa in her acting debut. Her narrative, set in a strife-torn neighborhood of Portugal, marries social realism with elements of musical genre, culminating in a film that speaks on multiple levels about pain, desperation, dreams, and ultimately, resilience.
Cannes 2023 Review: ´All to Play For´
Directed by Cannes newcomer Delphine Deloget, ‘All to Play For’ is a stirring and poignant drama set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard competition. Anchored by an emotionally charged performance from the recent César Award-winner Virginie Efira, the film explores the harsh reality of a single mother striving against societal and systemic obstacles in modern France.
Cannes 2023 Review: ´The Buriti Flower´
Renée Nader Messora and João Salaviza´s ‘The Buriti Flower’ is an engrossing cinematic experience that had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. It weaves a naturalistic narrative around an Indigenous community of the Krahô people in Brazil. While the film occasionally blurs the line between fiction and documentary, it ultimately serves to drive home the poignant realities faced by the Indigenous community and their fight for justice.
Cannes 2023 Review: ´Power Alley´
Lillah Halla’s compelling directorial debut, “Power Alley,” packs a strong punch, introducing an innovative queer feminist perspective within the familiar sports drama genre. Premiered at the Semaine de la Critique sidebar of the Cannes Film Festival, this distinctive Brazilian film is headlined by the captivating Domenica Dias, whose electrifying performance strikes a chord with viewers.
Cannes 2023 Review: ´The (Ex)perience of Love´
In the whirlwind world of romantic comedies, Belgian directors Raphaël Balboni and Ann Sirot offer an exuberant and unexpectedly profound portrayal of love and infertility in their latest film, ‘The (Ex)perience of Love’. Premiering at the Semaine de la Critique sidebar at the Cannes Film Festival, the film is a light-hearted, yet thought-provoking cinematic achievement that delves into the complexities of modern relationships and the influence of past loves.
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