Author Archives: Wael Khairy

The Cosmic Gaze: Creaturely Vulnerability in “Werckmeister Harmonies”

Béla Tarr and Ágnes Hranitzky’s “Werckmeister Harmonies” follows János Valuska, a newspaper delivery man who witnesses his town descend into chaos and rebellion following the arrival of a mysterious circus. The main attraction of the spectacle features a gigantic taxidermy whale and a guest appearance by the mysterious ‘Prince’. Since its release, the film’s mostContinue reading “The Cosmic Gaze: Creaturely Vulnerability in “Werckmeister Harmonies””

Gendered Madness – Phenomenology and the Ethics of Care in “Saint Maud” and “Dark Water”

Women’s mental health is the main focus of both Hideo Nakata’s Dark Water (2002) and Rose Glass’ Saint Maud (2019), two of the most unsettling horror films of the 21st century. In both films, the spectator is left wondering if any of the disturbing supernatural occurrences experienced by the two protagonists are in fact real,Continue reading “Gendered Madness – Phenomenology and the Ethics of Care in “Saint Maud” and “Dark Water””

TV Review: “True Detective: Night Country”

Early on in the fourth season of “True Detective” titled “Night Country”, viewers with an eye for detail will spot an old VHS tape of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” carefully placed on a shelf in one of the indoor scenes. Everything from the cold harsh arctic setting, to the plot revolving around an investigation ofContinue reading “TV Review: “True Detective: Night Country””

Film Review: “VOY VOY! VOY!”

Delightfully upbeat, suspenseful, and full of charm, Omar Hilal’s “Voy! Voy! Voy!” is a feel-good crowd-pleaser with a sly undercurrent of social commentary. Egypt’s official submission for ‘Best International Feature Film’ at this year’s Academy Awards tackles one of the most fascinating true stories in recent memory. The film revolves around Hassan, a security guardContinue reading “Film Review: “VOY VOY! VOY!””

Film Review: “Three Promises”

Yousef Srouji’s exceptional film documenting his mother’s video diaries while the Israeli army retaliates against the second intifada in the West Bank will give viewers a scoop into the turbulent life of a Palestinian family thriving for normality in an abnormal world. Their routine involves taking shelter in the basement during air raids as theyContinue reading “Film Review: “Three Promises””

Film Review: “Angle”

Alex Perry’s independently produced documentary, “Angle”, will go down as one of the most moving wrestling documentaries out there. In fact, it’s right up there with Paul Jay’s “Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows” providing viewers with a fascinating glimpse into the inner-workings of professional wrestling. The film chronicles the turbulent life of professional wrestler andContinue reading “Film Review: “Angle””

Film Review: “Animalia” ★★★★★ (5/5)

When I first read the tagline of Sofia Alaoui’s “Animalia,” I was intrigued. “A young pregnant woman finds emancipation as aliens land in Morocco.” At best, I expected to watch an alien-invasion science fiction film like M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs“ or Jordan Peele’s “Nope.” To my surprise, I found that “Animalia” has more in common with Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” StanleyContinue reading “Film Review: “Animalia” ★★★★★ (5/5)”

Remarkable Fate in Werner Herzog’s “Wings of Hope”

Werner Herzog has one of the most impressive filmographies of documentary filmmaking out there, and although his work as a documentarian covers a huge spectrum of topics, the common denominator always seems to be an existential exploration of humanity and truth. Herzog’s approach rejects the notion that documentaries fall within the sphere of journalism. HeContinue reading “Remarkable Fate in Werner Herzog’s “Wings of Hope””

Phantasmagoria in Yershov and Kropachyov’s “VIY”

After three seminary students get lost and wander into the countryside, they spot a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. They foolishly demand to spend the night there not knowing that it is home to a wicked witch. The old lady agrees to let them in under one condition, they all must sleep at separateContinue reading “Phantasmagoria in Yershov and Kropachyov’s “VIY””