What does a ghost represent? An emotion lingering in the sphere of time? The shadow of a tragedy cursed to echo through eternity? Perhaps it’s the weight of something tethered to a world it no longer belongs to? A ghost is essentially a memory refusing to fade away; a trace of something that once wasContinue reading “MATI DIOP- A CINEMA OF RESTLESS GHOSTS AND BYGONE REVOLTS”
Category Archives: Film Reviews
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””
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””
Little Miracles in Carl Theodore Dreyer’s “Ordet”
Carl Theodore Dreyer belongs in the God-tier of film directors alongside Ozu, Bresson, Tarkovsky, Bergman, and Bunuel. The Danish master only made a handful of feature films over the course of his career, and I can only imagine how each momentous release must have felt like a historic event for film enthusiast at that time.Continue reading “Little Miracles in Carl Theodore Dreyer’s “Ordet””
Longing for One Last Hurrah in Charlie Chaplin’s “Limelight”
“Time is the great author; it always writes the perfect ending.” _Calvero Charlie Chaplin’s semi-autobiographical film about a washed-up vaudeville performer and a suicidal ballet dancer both in desperate search for hope and meaning in life, is perhaps his most philosophical film. Chaplin weaves in themes of depression, alcoholism, and the cruelty of time inContinue reading “Longing for One Last Hurrah in Charlie Chaplin’s “Limelight””
The Cinephile Fix 