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Venice 2023 Review: “Heartless”

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“Heartless” is the debut feature from the Brazilian director duo Nara Normande and Tião. Prior to this film, Normande had made three short films, including the critically acclaimed animated short “Guaxama,” which won awards at many film festivals. “Heartless” premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival and is based on the directors’ 2014 short (also co-directed by Tião) of the same name. The film follows a girl from a fishing village, as she prepares to leave for college in the city of Brasilia. During her last few days in the village, she becomes intrigued by a strange girl. While exploring societal constructs, going as far as delving into the origin of toxic masculinity, in addition to a character analysis that shows how such traits persist in future generations, the film leaves many other narrative threads underdeveloped, leading to a rather chaotic experience at times.

Venice 2023 Review: “Behind the Mountains”

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Mohamed Ben Attia’s latest film, “Behind the Mountains,” showcases a bold departure from his previous acclaimed works, “Hedi” and “Dear Son,” by incorporating a fantastical component into his signature social realist style. While the final act may have some narrative shortcomings, the movie ultimately delivers a moving story about the intricacies of a father-son relationship. Through a blend of reality and fantasy, the film explores the complexities of human connections and the desire for escapism.

Venice 2023 Review: “Snow in Midsummer”

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“Snow in Midsummer” by Keat Aun Chong is a deeply affecting film that delves into an underrepresented piece of history. Inspired by true events and literary sources, the film weaves a tragic narrative around the 1969 racial riots in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, also known as The 13 May Incident. The film plays at the intersection of art and history, serving as both an emotional journey and an unsettling social commentary, shedding light on an often underexplored and oftentimes misrepresented part of Malaysian history.

Venice 2023 Review: “God is a Woman”

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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.

Venice 2023 Review: “Photophobia”

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Ivan Ostrochovský’s and Pavol Pekarčík´s documentary “Photophobia” premiered at the Venice Days sidebar of 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 strong moments of emotional weight and provides insight into the lives of some of the regular Ukrainian people who are affected by the war. Despite a limiting runtime that unfortunately causes many of the stories to fall short of full realization, the two directors manage to still create a convincing anti-war portrait.

Venice 2023 Review: “Melk”

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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 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”

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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.