Filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz takes her audience to the Philippines and the world’s busiest maternity ward. Motherland is a powerful insight into the lives and the struggles of women and mothers far away from Western society’s planned C-sections. (MJJ: 4/5)
Category: Bechdel-Wallace List
FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER (2017): Sneak Peek by Lindsy Bissonnette
Ung’s time and care to make this passion project into a masterpiece is evident in this biographical, and historical drama. The cinematography is whimsical and shows Loung’s childlike wonder, and as she matures, so do the camera techniques, in this stunning and devastating film. Full review coming soon!
THE FUTURE PERFECT (2016): Review by Brigid Presecky
A Chinese teenager learns Spanish in her new home of Buenos Aires, imagining the myriad of possibilities her future holds. Winner of the Best First Feature prize at the 2016 Locarno Film Festival, The Future Perfect (also known as El Futuro Perfecto) is a charming, honest portrayal of the human’s ability to adapt. (BKP: 4/5)
IN SEARCH OF FELLINI (2017): Review by Giorgi Plys-Garzotto
A very pretty film that rewards familiarity with Fellini’s work. Nancy Cartwright does a good job with surrealist dialogue and keeps the film’s emotional arc clear despite its more whimsical elements. It’s a matter of taste whether its aesthetics appeal, and whether the expressionistic style makes up for the relative lack of plot. (GPG: 3/5)
HOME AGAIN (2017): Review by Elyse Thaler
An endearing rom com about “Alice's” (Reese Witherspoon) journey to become whole again after uprooting her family and turning forty. After a wild night out, Alice brings home three, much younger men. Her unexpected houseguests become an unlikely support system as Alice struggles to find balance in her new life. (EBT: 3.5/5)
NOBODY’S WATCHING (2017): Review by Giorgi Plys-Garzotto
Director Julia Solomonoft’s latest feature tells a story of isolation and struggle as a young actor from Argentina tries to make it in America without a visa. While the plotting is a bit loose, it is still affecting. (GPG: 3.5/5)
I DO... UNTIL I DON'T (2017): Review by Lindsy Bissonnette
Written and directed by Lake Bell, I Do...Until I Don’t is a great end of summer comedy, exploring matrimony, happiness, envy, and insecurity. Hilarious and sweet. (LMB: 3.5/5)
BEACH RATS (2017): Review by Katusha Jin
After a successful debut with It Felt Like Love, writer-director Eliza Hittman brings to the screen Beach Rats. She partners with Director of Photography Hélène Louvart to tell the story of a sexually confused teenage boy who finds himself lost in a world where there is no “coming out”. (KIZJ: 4/5)
POLINA (2017): Review by Amelie Lasker
Written and co-directed by Valérie Müller, Polina is an incredible work of multi-media storytelling, with a soundtrack by Philip Glass and dances choreographed by the acclaimed Angelin Preljoçaj supporting an already masterful screenplay. (AEL: 5/5)
AFTER LOVE (2016): Review by Katusha Jin
After Love, originally titled L’Economie du couple, depicts a couple that is finally reaching the end of their relationship after 15 years of trying to build a life together. Director Joachim Lafosse partners with writers Mazarine Pingeot and Fanny Burdino, and together, they deliver a feature where the reality of the stresses and burdens of…