Tag Archives: USA

Cinema du Réel 2025 Dispatch: Jessica Sarah Rinland, James Benning, Lee Anne Schmitt & More

Cinéma du Réel, the esteemed international documentary film festival held annually in Paris, France, has long been celebrated for its commitment to showcasing non-mainstream, intellectually, and artistically stimulating documentaries. The competition of the festival’s 2025 edition, running from March 21 to 30, continues this tradition by presenting a diverse program that blurs the lines between feature-length films and short shorts, treating each with equal reverence and attention. This egalitarian approach highlights the festival’s dedication to exploring the myriad forms and expressions within non-fiction cinema, providing a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers to present their unique visions.

Rotterdam 2025 Review: “John Lilly and the Earth Coincidence Control Office”

IFFR In John Lilly and the Earth Coincidence Control Office, directors Michael Almereyda and Courtney Stephens closely into the enigmatic life of neuroscientist John C. Lilly, whose unconventional experiments with dolphins, humans and psychedelics sought to expand the boundaries of human consciousness. Narrated by Chloë Sevigny, the film uses archival footage, cultural clips, and interviewsContinue reading “Rotterdam 2025 Review: “John Lilly and the Earth Coincidence Control Office””

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: “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: “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: “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.

TIFF 2023 Review: “Riddle of Fire”

Weston Razooli’s “Riddle of Fire” is a visual and narrative homage to the storytelling styles of yesteryears, peppered with references to 1980s sub-culture. By weaving a tapestry of fantasy, nostalgia, and nostalgia through fantasy, Razooli embarks on a journey that nods to the storytelling traditions of magical quests and fairytales, providing an engaging backdrop for quests that would seem mundane to the adult mind. This coming-of-age film invites audiences, especially those with a soft spot for retro aesthetics, to look into the world of a child’s imagination.

TIFF 2023 Review: “The Monk and the Gun”

In his second feature film, “The Monk and the Gun,” Bhutanese filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji presents a multifaceted story of various characters, each with a unique perspective on the influence of globalization on Bhutan and the country´s transition to democracy in 2006. Against the stunning mountainous landscapes, this culturally rich film offers a brilliantly written critique of a society caught between the perseverance of their culture, Westernization and enforced modernity.