Review: Joaquín del Paso’s vicious film ‘A HOLE IN THE FENCE’ is a tale of fearmongering and the stunning contagion of hate.

A HOLE IN THE FENCE

Synopsis: At a secluded exclusive summer camp in the Mexican countryside, under the watchful eyes of their adult guardians, boys from a prestigious private school receive physical, moral, and religious training to turn them into tomorrow’s elite. The discovery of a hole in the fence sets in motion a chain of disturbing events as the boys devolve into a Lord of the Flies-like mob mentality that creates and spreads hysteria in this profoundly disturbing coming-of-age drama that unravels like a horror movie while drawing on actual events. Features an original score by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein (Stranger Things).


Save one or two, a group predominantly of elitist little shits wage war against the weaker for power. To no one’s surprise, these kids could not care less about following the religious aspects of the camp’s intentions, instead actively torturing the child with the darkest skin. Perhaps the saddest part is how the hatred spreads so quickly.

Outside the inner workings of the boys, there is a grander racism playing out beyond the chain link fence of the camp. A hole brings fear that an outsider has infiltrated the grounds. Slowly, we discover the nefarious intentions of the staff, the indoctrination of following orders, and never questioning authority.

The film plays out in two distinct acts. Once in the woods, the fractures widen, and smaller groups become exceedingly hostile. This Lord Of The Flies meets The Village script is exhilarating. My nerves almost could not take it. Performances are extraordinary. The film speaks to a growing global evil in Christofascism, sexual abuse in the church, and the destruction of otherness. A HOLE IN THE FENCE displays toxic masculinity at its core. It is a sick test and focuses on the myth of manhood. It is a microcosm, and we should all be afraid.

Joaquín del Paso’s Venice Film Festival Selection Opens May 26 at the Laemmle Theaters in L.A., More Dates To Come

 

Original title: El hoyo en la cerca
Starring: Valeria Lamm Williams, Yubah Ortega, Luciano Kurti, Eric Walker, Santiago Barajas, Enrique Lascurain, Jacek Poniedzialek, Raul Vasconcelos
Directed by: Joaquin del Paso
Written by: Joaquin del Paso, Lucy Pawlak
Produced by: Fernanda de la Peza, Joaquin del Paso
Specs: 2021 / 102 Minutes / In Spanish w/English Subtitles / DCP / 1.66:1

www.alteredinnocence.net/holeinthefence


 

NEWS- FANTASIA ANNOUNCES A BLISTERING FIRST WAVE OF TITLES FOR ITS 27th EDITION

FIRST WAVE OF TITLES FOR ITS 27th EDITION


A spotlight on South Korean cinema, a Canadian trailblazer Award for underground legend Larry Kent and World Premieres of new works from Larry Fessenden, Xavier Gens, Jenn Wexler, Jared Moshe, The Adams Family, and Victor Ginzburg + International Premieres of Tsutomu Hanabusa’s blockbusters TOKYO REVENGERS 2 – PART 1 & 2 headline the first wave of titles announced for Fantasia’s 27th edition!

Thursday May 11, 2023 // Montreal, Quebec — The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 27th edition with a whiplashing program of screenings, workshops, and launch events running from July 20 through August 9, 2023, taking place at the Concordia Hall Cinema, with additional screens at the Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma du Musée.

The festival’s full lineup will be announced in early July. In the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a selected first wave of titles and happenings.


BRIGHT SPOTLIGHTS ON SOUTH KOREAN CINEMA ILLUMINATE FANTASIA’s 27th EDITION

Since the selection of Kang Je-gyu’s GINGKO BED at Fantasia’s 1998 edition, the festival has become one of the premiere destinations for South Korean cinema. Over the years, Fantasia’s audience has had the opportunity to discover several essential Korean auteurs: Bong Joon-ho (BARKING DOGS NEVER BITE), Park Chan-wook (SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE), Kim Ji-woon (THE QUIET FAMILY), Hwang Dong-hyuk (MISS GRANNY), and Yeon Sang-ho (THE KING OF PIGS) among many others. These filmmakers are now mainstays of the international film scene, lighting up the big screen and streaming platforms alike.
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Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea, the Fantasia International Film Festival –in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center Canada and the Cinémathèque québécoise– is proud to showcase this unique national cinema. The festival will emphasize the vitality of current works and the versatility of South Korean creators, who work in a multitude of genres ranging from action to arthouse, breathtaking thrillers to outlandish musical comedies. The festival will also present a retrospective highlighting several significant works that led to the revival of Korean cinema in the 2000s, an effervescence that hasn’t stopped since.

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Fantasia will host the North American premiere of NEW NORMAL by Jung Bum-shik (GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM), a cynical and timely one-man horror anthology. The festival will also host the Canadian premieres of An Tae-jin’s period acupuncturist thriller THE NIGHT OWL; the violent and boisterous THE ROUNDUP: NO WAY OUT by Lee Sang-yong, featuring Don Lee once again; the 4K restoration of Jeong Jae-un’s coming-of-age TAKE CARE OF MY CAT (2001) and a screening of the unmissable THE PRESIDENT’S LAST BANG (2005) by master Im Sang-soo. More titles will be announced soon.

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In recognition of the spotlight, this year’s poster art was created by Montreal visual artist Donald Caron as an interpretation of the mythical nine-tailed fox, a fantastical creature that appears in the folktales of East Asia and legends of Korea. 

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FEAR RUNS LOVELY, DARK, AND DEEP

LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP is the hotly anticipated directorial debut of Teresa Sutherland, screenwriter of THE WIND and a writer on MIDNIGHT MASS. Laced with stunning visuals, this ominously beautiful, deeply frightening nightmare is anchored by a captivating lead performance from BARBARIAN’s Georgina Campbell. Campbell plays a park ranger in an isolated forest outpost, the site of multiple mysterious disappearances, and she is plagued by visions blending the past and present with something even more sinister. This transfixing film oozes an immersive, fever-dream atmosphere. Also starring Nick Blood, Wai Ching Ho, and Edgar Morais. World Premiere. 

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A SUPPRESSED AND SPECTACULAR REINVENTION OF VAMPIRE LORE: EMPIRE V

A disaffected student (Pavel Tabakov) follows an invitation to join “the elite” and finds himself forcibly transformed into a vampire, joining a supernatural ruling class who exercise an anonymous dictatorship over humans. Celebrated Russian-American director Victor Ginzburg (GENERATION P) demonstrates a striking visual imagination, perfectly complementing a story that reinvents nearly every aspect of vampire lore in clever and fantastical ways. This is the MATRIX of vampire cinema. Years in the making, EMPIRE V is both next-level blockbuster storytelling and megabudget anti-Oligarch satire, electrified with breathtaking visuals from the great Aleksei Rodionov (COME AND SEE). Co-starring Miron Fedorov, AKA rap star Oxxxymiron, whose anti-War benefit concerts led the Russian justice ministry to condemn him as a “foreign agent.” EMPIRE V itself has been banned by Russia’s Ministry of Culture, ensuring that the citizens of its home country may never see the film. World Premiere. 

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THE TOKYO REVENGERS SAGA REVEALS HIGHER STAKES AND LOADS OF EMOTIONS

Tekemichi gets another blast from the past when his beloved Mio perishes again before his eyes in a freak accident… Or was it? Tekemichi must go back in time to save her, and find out how his involvement with the Tokyo Maji Gang ruined his real life once more. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of action, suspense and emotion TOKYO REVENGERS 2 – PART 1 and TOKYO REVENGERS 2 – PART 2 bring to the big screen! Director Tsutomu Hanabusa surpasses himself with two riveting new chapters in this beloved saga, whose legions of fans break Japan’s box office at every occasion. Come see this acclaimed manga-turned-anime in its ultimate incarnation as a star-studded live-action juggernaut. International Premiere. 

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A HEARTBREAKING, TIME-BENDING MASTERPIECE OF SPECULATIVE SCIENCE-FICTION: APORIA

Since losing her husband Mal (Edi Gathegi, FOR ALL MANKIND) in a drunk-driving incident, Sophie (Judy Greer, HALLOWEEN) has struggled to manage crippling grief, a full-time job, and the demands of parenting her devastated teenage daughter (Faithe Herman, THIS IS US). When her husband’s best friend (Payman Maadi, A SEPARATION), a former physicist, reveals he and Mal had been building a time-bending machine that could restore her former life, Sophie will be faced with an impossible choice.This riveting character-driven sci-fi work from award-winning writer/director Jared Moshe (THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN), imaginatively grapples with the ripple effects of morally fraught choices made in the name of love and raises timely questions about ethics in technological innovation.  World Premiere. 

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THE ADAMS FAMILY TAKE YOU WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS

Darkest prayers will be answered, in sawdust and sacrilege, when Fantasia goes WHERE THE DEVIL ROAMS. This astonishing new feature from cult favourites The Adams Family (Toby Poster, John Adams, Zelda Adams), follows a family of traveling sideshow performers as they traverse Depression-era America on a bloody search for eternal life. As in THE DEEPER YOU DIG and HELLBENDER, both Fantasia World Premieres, the gifted filmmaking family’s latest creation continues their inspired explorations of familial power dynamics through the prism of horror. Haunting, poetic, sometimes funny, frequently freakish, and told with conviction through a deeply personal lens. World Premiere. 

 

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© Thanaporn Arkmanon

XAVIER GENS BRINGS SHATTERING FISTFULS OF MAYHEM!

Xavier Gens (FRONTIER(S), GANGS OF LONDON) is back! Sam, (Nassim Lyes) a professional boxer recently released from prison, breaks probation, flees to a faraway island in Thailand, and starts a family there. But when he’s blackmailed by a fierce local Godfather (Olivier Gourmet) into becoming a drug smuggler, things go straight to hell.. and then some! A blood-soaked revenge roller coaster, MAYHEM! starts slow and seething before exploding off the screen with tendon-snapping tension and unbelievably ferocious fight choreography of the sort that’s seldom seen in modern film. Also starring Loryn Nounay, Vithaya Pansringarm, Mehdi Hadim and Kenneth Won. World Premiere. 

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LET IT ALL OUT WITH PEOPLE WHO TALK TO PLUSHIES ARE KIND.

When sophomore student Nanamori joins the Plushies Club, he is encouraged to share his feelings with stuffed animals. You could call it an introvert’s paradise, or better yet, a safe space. And while for some it’s a natural fit, for others it’s an insular distraction. Adapted from a novella by rising literary star Ao Omae and directed by up-and-comer Yurina Kaneko (Fantasia 2019 selection 21ST CENTURY GIRL), PEOPLE WHO TALK TO PLUSHIES ARE KIND enchants with a gently provocative exploration of sexuality, gender, kindness and tolerance in Japanese society. A thought-provoking update on the youth film, for when the world feels like entirely too much. North American Premiere. Camera Lucida section.

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LYCANTHROPIAN CHILLS FROM FROM LARRY FESSENDEN: BLACKOUT

At last, acclaimed horror auteur Larry Fessenden has fulfilled his long-held desire to make a werewolf film, rounding out the triptych begun with his vampire drama HABIT (1997) and FRANKENSTEIN variation DEPRAVED (2019). Fessenden, as always, makes BLACKOUT a very human story as well as a gripping horror show while weaving in his traditional focus on socio-political themes, from his long-held ecological concerns to very modern issues of suspicion and paranoia. Starring Alex Hurt, Addison Timlin, Marshall Bell, James LeGros, Barbara Crampton and Joe Swanberg. World Premiere. 

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FROM SOUTH KOREA, COMES MOTHER LAND AN ARCTIC STOP-MOTION ADVENTURE

When the health of Krisha’s mother takes a turn for the worse, the village shaman offers her wisdom: follow the North Star to the Ancient Forest and find its guardian and master, the great red bear of legend. The first South Korean stop-motion feature film in almost half a century, director Park Jae-beom’s animated adventure MOTHER LAND is an exquisitely crafted snowbound fantasy with a potent emotional warmth at its core. It explores the lives and lore of the nomadic, indigenous reindeer herders of the sparse and unforgiving Siberian tundra. North American Premiere. Axis Section

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FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS AND BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

A chef with gambling problems (Nick Stahl) flees to the Latin American villa of an old friend who appears to be living an extraordinary life. Envy soon turns to greed and then to something more unsettling for the chef when he assumes his friend’s life. A Hitchockian, edge-of-your-seat descent into moral compromise with generous servings of dark humour, shock and surprise, WHAT YOU WISH FOR is the gripping sophomore feature of writer/director Nicholas Tomnay (THE PERFECT HOST). Grounded by a career best performance from Stahl, the film co-stars Tamsin Topolski, Randy Vasquez and Penelope Mitchell. From the producers of THE FLORIDA PROJECT. World Premiere. 

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A GUT-WRENCHING REFLECTION ON MODERN SLAVERY TAKES PLACE IN RICHELIEU

When Stéphane (Marc-André Grondin, RAVENOUS, C.R.A.Z.Y.) hires Ariane (Ariane Castellanos) to act as an interpreter for his Guatemalan workers, he expects nothing more than a messenger. But after witnessing the horrifying abuse the men are subjected to, Ariane will be pushed to choose between their lives and her own. A stunning debut feature from Québécois director Pier-Philippe Chevigny, RICHELIEU delivers a raw and emotional portrait of a system in which we are all  complicit unless we are willing to bear the cost of standing up for justice. Canadian Premiere. 

SUPERNATURAL POWERS AND SCHOOL GIRLS WITH SECRETS KICK OFF THE 2023 SEPTENTRION SHADOWS SECTION LINEUP! 

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A NOSTALGIC, SUPERNATURAL ROAD TRIP LEADS TO DAUGHTER OF THE SUN

Take a supernatural journey with Sonny, a man with Tourette Syndrome, and his daughter Hildie as they forge their path across the country. They hide a powerful secret but join a community of friendly nomadic strangers whose kindness conceals a darker intention. The World Premiere of DAUGHTER OF THE SUN is Sonny’s next chapter and a continuation of director/actor Ryan Ward’s award-winning SON OF THE SUNSHINE. This deeply personal journey reflects aspects of Ward’s life with cosmic imagery, stunning cinematography shot in Ward’s home province of Manitoba, and stellar performances from teens Nyah Perkin and Lennox Leacock. World Premiere

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JENN WEXLER DARES YOU TO BLEED FOR THE SACRIFICE GAME!

Jenn Wexler’s THE RANGER, a high-octane punk rock banger, exploded onto the genre landscape in 2018, and now she’s back with her sophomore feature THE SACRIFICE GAME. Filled with gore and lore, indie filmmaker Wexler penned this gripping and stylish ‘70s-set chiller involving school girls, power-mad killers and occult prophecy with partner Sean Redlitz. Shot in Quebec, this breakneck horror film stars Mena Massoud (EVOLVING VEGAN and ALADDIN), Olivia Scott Welch (LUCKY HANK, FEAR STREET Trilogy), Gus Kenworthy (AMERICAN HORROR STORY), Georgia Acken, Madison Baines and features the return of THE RANGERS’ Chloë Levine. You won’t want to miss a second of THE SACRIFICE GAME! World Premiere co-presented with Les Fantastique Week-ends.

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A CANADIAN TRAILBLAZER AWARD FOR LARRY KENT

Fantasia is proud to be giving our 2023 Canadian Trailblazer Award to our country’s legendary first underground filmmaker, Larry Kent, with World Premieres of Canadian International Pictures’’s new 4K restorations of his landmark Vancouver Trilogy and additional screenings and events. 

Cited by David Cronenberg as “a heroic figure,” Larry Kent made films “so ahead of their time” (to quote Atom Egoyan) that they eventually fell out of official circulation. 

Situated somewhere between the vivid indie dramas of John Cassavetes and the lurid melodramas of Doris Wishman, Kent’s films brought new vitality to Canadian cinema — and time has only added to their potency. 

Even as his 90th birthday approaches, he continues to make singular and gutsy independent features: his most recent works, EXLEY (2011) and SHE WHO MUST BURN (2015)  both World-Premiered at Fantasia, the latter winning Spectacular Optical’s 2015 Barry Convex Award for Best Canadian Feature at the festival. 

Whether audiences have caught up with Kent’s boldly uncompromising vision or not, CIP  is working on an ambitious restoration initiative that aims to resurrect his most seminal films, starting with The Vancouver Trilogy: THE BITTER ASH (1963), SWEET SUBSTITUTE (1964), and WHEN TOMORROW DIES (1965), each of which will be unveiled at Fantasia this summer.

The original camera negatives for all three films have been newly scanned in 4K and restored by CIP, giving these enduring works of underground Canadian cinema a chance to be discovered (and re-discovered) by adventurous cinephiles. 

In addition, Fantasia will also be presenting a rare 35mm print of YESTERDAY (1981) and a special screening of SHE WHO MUST BURN (2015). 

Join us in celebrating the career of one of Canadian Film’s most courageous originals!

Presented in association with Canadian International Pictures and the Cinémathèque québécoise.


Review: Lily James stars in breezy romcom ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

How do you find lasting love in today’s world? For documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr. Wrongs, to her eccentric mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For Zoe’s childhood friend and neighbor Kaz (Shazad Latif), the answer is to follow his parents’ example and opt for an arranged (or “assisted”) marriage to a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his hopeful journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a profoundly different approach to finding love.


If you want an updated Jane Austen-esque feature, look no further than WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? As close to the perfect viewing as one can get for Mother’s Day weekend, this authentic script tackles the here and now of dating and familial expectations with heart and laughs, and hidden passion. For film lovers, Zoe’s career is extra compelling. For lovers of reality dating shows, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? is a fabulous combination of all the reasons why the rom-com never dies. 

Emma Thompson is Zoe’s eccentric mother whose firey energy is a lovely addition to the fully fleshed-out cast. Speaking of mother figures, Shabana Azmi plays Kaz’s mother with a loving sense of protection and tradition. You believe that these two families grew up next to one another. The comfort of their rhythm feels genuine. I would watch a spin-off of these two women raising the children in the early days. They are that compelling, even with their limited screen time.

Shazad Latif, as Kaz, has a quiet confidence that draws you in from the beginning. He possesses something special that makes the audience feel safe around him. Anyone would be lucky to have Kaz as a member of their family. Lily James plays Zoe with ambition, smarts, and girl-next-door sass. This character’s depth, flaws, and strengths equally embraced make the film thoroughly relatable. Dating is complicated, especially now. James embodies the modern-day woman and brings an elegance to Zoe that captures the audience immediately. Latif and James have a chemistry that feels earned.

The script cleverly weaves in James’ modern-day fairytale storytelling and When Harry Met Sally sit-down interviews. The costumes are bold and beautiful with lush set dressing to match. It is an undeniably heartwarming meeting of cultures in its honesty and humor. If you are not crying by the end, check your pulse.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? will be available in Theaters on May 5, 2023.

 

About Shout! Studios

Shout! Studios is the filmed entertainment production and distribution arm of Shout! Factory, specializing in all aspects of distribution, including theatrical, VOD, digital, DVD/Blu-ray, and broadcast. Shout! Studios works with creators at the forefront of pop culture, driving creative expression and diversity in independent storytelling. Shout! Studios finances, produces, acquires, and distributes an eclectic slate of movies, award-winning animated features, specialty films and series from rising and established talent, filmmakers, and producers. 

Shout’s upcoming releases include romantic-comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It? directed by Shekhar Kapur, written and produced by Jemima Khan, and starring Lily James, Shazad Latif, Shabana Azmi, and Oscar®-winner Emma Thompson, action-comedy Showdown At The Grand, starring Oscar®-winner Terrence Howard and Dolph Lundgren, and neo-Western thriller Head Count starring Aaron Jaukobenko, Melanie Zanetti, and Ryan Kwanten. Recent releases include epic fantasy adventure The Magic Flute, executive produced by Roland Emmerich and starring Jack Wolfe and Oscar®-winner F. Murray Abraham, the sci-fi comedy-drama Linoleum, starring Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn, Oliver Stone’s JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass, documentary feature Refuge from levelFilm, Katie Couric Media and Artemis Rising, the critically acclaimed Shout! Studios original Western Old Henry, starring Tim Blake Nelson, comedy-drama Language Lessons, directed by Natalie Morales and starring Morales and Mark Duplass, comedy-drama Misbehaviour, starring Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Standing Up, Falling Down, starring Ben Schwartz and Billy Crystal.


 

Review: Nicholas Meyers and Tyler Chandler’s ‘DOSED: The Trip Of A Lifetime’ is a meditative journey with mushrooms as medicine.

DOSED


This film, the second by Nicholas Meyers and Tyler Chandler, tells the story of a loving mother of four, Laurie Brooks, who receives a grim diagnosis: terminal cancer. Given only a year to live, she becomes one of the first patients to be granted the legal right to the medical use of psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) for end-of-life treatment. As they documented her journey, they were able to secure interviews with top scientists, doctors, and clinicians in the field of psychedelic research, including Dr. Gabor Maté, Paul Stamets, Dennis McKenna, Dr. Robert Sealy, and Sharan Sidhu, among others. The resulting film, DOSED: The Trip of a Lifetime, contains powerful information with the potential to repair families and save lives.


The magic medicine of mushrooms. Filmmakers Nicholas Meyers and Tyler Chandler follow the 53-year-old married mother of four, Laurie Brooks, through grief and acceptance after a dire cancer diagnosis. Pushing past fear and diving head first into the earth’s soil for a possible therapy, DOSED: The Trip of a Lifetime gives audiences a fresh look at the mind and body and a new outlook on life, death, and healing.

Although outlawed in 1970, mushrooms had been in innumerable treatments beginning in the 20s. In 2000 Johns Hopkins received approval to continue research. Psychological readiness is intrinsic in granting patient approval. The study of psilocybin is just as important as cannabis studies, a subject DOSED also delves into at length. Meyers, Chandler, and Brooks allow us into raw trips. Laurie describes the images and sensations and, more importantly, the emotional after-effects of psilocybin. We hear from researchers and therapists about the positive effects of “magic mushrooms,” When we receive a fatal diagnosis, the psychological impact is immeasurable.

Meyers and Chandler fully acknowledge the limitations of solely profiling Laurie but hope that her story will open up the dialogue for the curious and the medical field to come together in a mutually beneficial journey. DOSED is an intimate and deeply affecting film about the possibilities in the relationship between nature and healing. Laurie Brooks’ story is one filled with inspiration. We walk away acknowledging one vital thing; that fully experiencing every moment is the key to living.


IN THEATERS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA AND SELECT INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
BEGINNING APRIL 21


Review: Festival favorite ‘A LIFE ON THE FARM’ is a weirdly moo-ving doc. Yup.

A LIFE ON THE FARM

Somerset, England, and a mysterious VHS tape of a local farmer named Charles Carson. A LIFE ON THE FARM is a documentary feature that has had genre festivals buzzing since last year. Well, the chickens have come to roost, as they say, because the film finally arrives in theaters. You are not ready.

Carson’s tape provides viewers with so much unwanted information and detail. Most notably, a distasteful closeup of a bovine afterbirth and a dead cat. That is only the first taste of weirdness, as images get much darker the longer you watch. Carson’s nonchalant attitude toward everything on the farm feels jarring. His nervous laughter echoes throughout the film and viewers are disturbed. A LIFE ON THE FARM is one of the most bizarre home movies ever discovered. It feels wrong to watch, and yet you cannot look away!

Director Oscar Harding happened upon the tape as a child but had only had the pleasure of watching until his father hit stop on the VCR. It isn’t until the VHS reemerges in his adulthood that he feels compelled to dig deeper into the man beyond the vast amount of background provided by Charles along the way.

Carson’s neighbors and fans of the tape share their confusion, fascination, and shock at the tape’s contents, but I stopped in my tracks and took a step back when I realized the deeper meaning behind Charles’s actions. The films are part of his coping mechanism for loneliness, loss of purpose, grief, and, eventually, dementia. Friends honor Carson’s memory with understanding and respect for his complicated circumstances.

A new chapter to the mystery of Charles Carson occurred in 1996 when a new video appeared on YouTube. Harding and his peers are astounded by the short film’s artistry, story, and editing. Carson’s view of mortality is astonishing. A LIFE ON THE FARM is a creepy, enchanting, unusual, and extraordinary chronicling of a particular life.


** Theatrical tour at Alamo Drafthouse theaters throughout the US
starts April 13th (schedule below); both films available On Demand May 9th **


Fan Favorites from Fantastic Fest 2022, CHOP & STEELE, and A LIFE ON THE FARM will be screened as a double feature, with a theatrical rollout starting on April 13th at Alamo Drafthouse theaters throughout the country. The above special screenings will all precede live comedy shows with Found Footage Festival founders Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, as well as filmmaker Q&As for A LIFE ON THE FARM in select cities. This double feature will screen as part of the theater chain’s fan-favorite “Fantastic Fest Presents” series and will expand further with additional shows in the weeks following.


 

Review: The mysterious and heart-wrenching ‘PILGIMS’ comes to U.S. cinemas this Friday!

PILGRIMS

Paulius and Indre seek answers to a mystery that plagues them. PILGRIMS draws you in from the get-go as we follow our two leads down a path of emotional self-destruction and healing. They share a bond no one wants.

Giedrius Kiela and Gabija Bargailaite play Paulius and Indre, respectively. Each brings qualities of pain. Kiela’s aggression has the audience in a death grip. His volatility is frightening. Bargailaite is more subtle. Her unraveling happens in a finale that breaks you. They are hypnotizing.

Slick editing and long takes on a stationary camera make the audience an unwilling witness to Paulius and Indre’s plans. The script’s structure leaves much to the imagination as clues come slowly. My mind swirled as I watched Paulius walk Indre through the crime’s timeline. You feel compelled to keep watching. As someone whose close friend died under mysterious circumstances years ago, the unresolved pain and trauma are palpable. The need to understand and reason with the devil never fades, no matter how many years go by. PILGRIMS captures the very messy essence of grief.


PILGRIMS Arrives
in Cinemas this Friday!

 

Lithuania’s Official Submission to the 95th Academy Awards Lands in U.S. Cinemas on 4/7!


 

Review: ‘The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou’ is a genre-defying tale.

The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou

When Jacky’s grandmother, a renowned healer, suddenly passes away and a particularly compelling young woman with a mysterious rash arrives on his doorstep, he has no choice but to stay and try to help. As her condition worsens, it becomes clear that she’s afflicted with no ordinary illness. She’s transforming into something dangerous before his eyes, but he’s already in too deep to abandon her.

Writer-director Lucas Delangle and co-writer Olivier Strauss place Jacky in an environment that might feel stifling for a young man with dreams outside his genetic talents. His grandmother nurtures his gift of healing, understanding that he must fully embrace himself before sharing his abilities with the masses. Jacky finds himself torn between love and the greater good. The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou is a surprising film that twists and turns in the most unexpected ways. It is rare to find something this unique. 

Thomas Parigi‘s performance transfixes. His ability to hold the audience in the palm of his hands, quite literally in this case, has the viewer waiting with bated breath for his next move. Parigi is a musician. His Soundcloud is as mesmerizing as his performance in the film. This debut role should garner him the attention he deserves. Parigi pulls you into this one-of-a-kind folklore horror dealing with loss, love, self-confidence, and generational embracement. The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou is an undisputable gem.


IN THEATERS (LA, NY) APRIL 7
ON DVD AND DIGITAL APRIL 11

Director: Lucas Delangle
Cast: Thomas Parigi, Edwige Blondiau, Lou Lampros, Jean-Louise Coulloc’h
Screenplay: Lucas Delangle, Olivier Strauss

The Overlook Film Festival 2023 review: ‘ACCUSED’ is a socially relevant heart-stopper.

ACCUSED

Online trolls, xenophobia, and misinformation, Philip Barantini‘s ACCUSED at Overlook Film Festival could not be more relevant and terrifying. Thanks to the internet, Harri finds himself wrongly identified as a terrorist. After two men track him down, Harri must fight for his life and reputation. This intense thriller is a bone-chilling must-see.

Chaneil Kular plays Harri with palpable anxiety and exceptional nuance. He carries the entire plot like a star. The script gives Kular less dialogue than an average feature, and because of that, his performance relies on meticulous physicality and facial expressions. Kular’s chemistry with co-star Flynn, Harri’s dog, is glorious.

The film raises global questions about privacy, citizen detectives, and hateful rhetoric. We live our lives online these days. It is easy to find out where someone works, thanks to Linkedin. You can find their home address if they own property. That information is in the public record. But we provide all that with photos and comments we leave on social media, even tagging our location in real-time. We make ourselves targets every day. It also speaks to police response. The film skillfully addresses the lack of urgency we’ve all seen displayed in numerous documentaries and news stories.

ACCUSED simultaneously becomes an invasion thriller. The cinematography is sharp, taking full advantage of blue light from laptops and smartphone screens and moonlight peering through sheer curtains as Harri moves silently about his parents’ estate home. The sparse score works to intensify the plot. We fear the silence as much as Harri. The use of technology becomes a double-edged sword in the film. Harri utilizes security cameras and blue tooth to evade the men in his house.

Screenwriters Barnaby Boulton and  James Cummings have given audiences a masterfully written film that transcends genre. Packed with twists and turns and a mesmerizing performance from Chaneil Kular, it is a heart-pounding viewing experience. It is a wow.


Director: Philip Barantini
Writers: Barnaby Boulton, James Cummings
Starring: Chaneil Kular, Lauryn Ajufo
Producers: Edward Caffrey, Samantha Beddoe, Rupert Preston, Sara Sehdev
Runtime: 88 Minutes
Synopsis: Alone at a remote country house, a young man (Chaneil Kular, Sex Education) watches helplessly as a social media frenzy wrongly identifies him as a wanted terrorist. When online threats lead to an IRL home invasion, he must fight for his life in this tense thriller of virtual witch-hunts and false accusations.

Overlook 2023 Film Festival Screening Info:
– Friday, March 31st at 7:45 PM @ Canal Place Theater 2
– Sunday, April 2nd at 2:30 PM @ Canal Place Theater 9


 

Review: Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s complex film ‘FUGUE’ comes to U.S. cinemas.

FUGUE

Agnieszka Smoczyńska‘s sophomore feature, FUGUE, centers around memory loss and gender expectations. The film opens with a disheveled woman emerging from the subway tracks, clearly traumatized and unaware of her surroundings. In a quick jump forward two years, the same woman, now sporting short dark hair and just as confused, surrounded by medical experts. Her memory comprised only the past two years in Warsaw, and calling herself Alicja, doctors parade her on a talk show in a last-ditch effort to uncover her identity. A viewer calls in to claim the woman is his daughter. Reintroduced into a traditional household as a wife and mother of a young son, Alicja/Kinga struggles to integrate into a life she does not remember while being grilled about her disappearance.

Sporadic blue-tinged purgatory-like flashbacks of the woman in her heels, mussed blonde hair, and filthy trench coat give us little to go on. These sequences are undeniably unsettling. For most of the film, we draw our own conclusions based on the apparent hollowness of their marriage and a suggestion of an affair. Jakub Kijowski‘s bleak, but ravishing, cinematography sets the tone. Alicja stands apart from most of the action, furthering the feeling of isolation in an already stark environment.

Iwo Rajski plays Daniel with a natural fierceness that suggests he is starring in a documentary rather than a narrative. He is fantastic. Gabriela Muskala pens the screenplay and plays Alicja/Kinga. Her ability to reel you into her turmoil feels effortless. She is magnetic.

FUGUE is a far cry from The Lure and closer to the darkness and mystery of The Silent Twins. It begs the question of maternal instinct and gender roles. It touches on deep unresolved trauma and the unrealistic expectations of women to keep moving headlong. The heartbreaking finale sticks with you long after the credits roll.


Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden • 2018

Directed by: Agnieszka Smoczyńska

Written by: Gabriela Muskala
Starring: Gabriela Muskala, Lukasz Simlat, Iwo Rajski

 

Run time: 102 minutes

Language: Polish, English

Subtitles: English

Color: Color

Format: 2.35:1

Sound: 5.1


 

BUFF23 capsule review: ‘PIAFFE’- a surprising tale of obsession, sexual awakening, and otherness.

PIAFFE

Eva takes over as a Foley artist for her hospitalized sibling Zara. With no knowledge or self-esteem for the task, Eva endures shockingly abusive behavior from every angle; Zara, her boss, and the hospital nurse. When threatened with dismissal from Zara’s position, she becomes obsessed with the assigned commercial clip.

The video features a horse. Upon visiting a stable for research, Eva’s determination to perfect the audio ignites an immersive approach. Her relentless work ethic causes Eva to grow a horsetail. As she embraces her newfound appendage, Eva becomes entangled with a Botonist who opens her eyes to different forms of pleasure, increasing her confidence and sparking her sexual awakening.

PIAFFE gives audiences a fever dream of imagery and sound. Music is an eclectic Giallo-inspired mix of ominous cello and techno. The color Red features symbolically in lipstick, a telephone, tinsel, roses, and lighting. Simone Bucio is fearless as Eva. Her palpable anxiety and social awkwardness pour off the screen, making her relatable in the most unexpected ways.

The real star of PIAFFE is Robert Hefter and Jonas Vincent‘s jarring augmented sound mixing. As a viewer with Sensory Processing Disorder, PIAFFE is equal parts hair-raising nightmare and auditory orgasm. The sparse dialogue contributes to the focus on the heightened sound. Writer-director Ann Oren celebrates otherness in all its forms. BUFF23 audiences experienced a sensory explosion with an unpredictable complexity.

Oscilloscope Labs will release PIAFFE in theaters later this year.


BUFF 2023 review: It’s the battle of the narcissists in Kristoffer Borgli’s ‘SICK OF MYSELF’

SICK OF MYSELF

Not to be outdone by her narcissistic boyfriend, Signe manufactures drama to remain in the spotlight. The couple is absolute fraud who will do anything for attention. Their toxicity is contagious, figuratively speaking. When Signe finds that she receives less attention, she goes to drastic lengths to reclaim it.

The line between fantasy and reality blurs often enough to keep you guessing. This unhinged story of mental illness is undeniably shocking. Even more surprising is the message of disability treatment. Writer-director Kristoffer Borgli manages to weave this aspect into the story, if only briefly, before returning to the root of Signe’s narcissism. The special effects makeup team gives audiences a progressively evolving visual of Signe’s condition. It is eye-catching work. Costumes and color schemes noticeably pop, reminding us that this is a comedy.

Kristine Kujath Thorp is magnificent as Signe. Her ability to cry on cue serves the character at any given moment. Her self-absorption knows no bounds, and Thorp leans into obsessive and damaging behavior like a pro. Her performance feels effortless.

SICK OF MYSELF becomes a girl who cried wolf story. Through her self-mutilating plot, Signe is her worst enemy. But an addict only has two choices; feed the need or get better. A scathing takedown of self-aggrandizing behavior, this film is a must-see at BUFF 2023.


Boston Underground Film Festival 2023

BUFF23 review: ‘MISTER ORGAN’ is a terrifying and infuriating story of a con man.

MISTER ORGAN

Journalist David Farrier takes audiences on a baffling five-year story that began as a car park scam that swiftly became the investigation into the chase of a professional con man. Michael Organ is a master manipulator, a gaslighter, a world twister, and a terrifying person. He can spot a victim in an instant. He is an evil parasite.

Farrier is fearless. He faces the monster head-on by inviting Michael to participate in the investigation under the guise of a documentary. Feigning dumb, Farrier allows Organ to blow smoke, knowing full well that every word is a lie. Weaving in interviews with a barrage of former roommates and targets in between, most of whom are terrified to show their faces in fear of retaliation. We see a picture of a devious man doing as he pleases to intimidate everyone.

Organ’s favorite thing is to hear the sound of his voice. He is a sociopath. He reminds me of Trump. Farrier’s ability to sit in on the long conversations astounds me. We feel his palpable exhaustion, confusion, and frustration. Digging into Organ’s family, Farrier hits a wall. No one wants to talk. Will this con artist ever see real consequences? David Farrier sums the experience up for the audience. “Michael Organ is a black hole, and I’ve fallen in.” BUFF23 audiences are not ready for the madness.


BOSTON UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2023

Review: Based on the true events, ‘The Lost King’ is a charming story of one woman’s mission to correct history.

THE LOST KING

*World Premiere – TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022*

Underappreciated and taken for granted, Phillipa Langley gets a bee in her bonnet when she sees a production of King Richard III. Something compels her to start reading about the lost king. In a deluge of research, she falls down the rabbit hole, only to make one of the most astounding discoveries in history.

Two dominant themes in The Lost King are disability visibility and gender bias. Phillipa feels a kinship with Richard, angered he has been deemed a monster due to his severe scoliosis. It seems Shakespeare had a hand in demonizing his appearance for these years. The historical digging that happens in the film is eye-opening. She is whipsmart and undeterred in her mission to clear King Richard’s sullied reputation. We feel the frustration as Philiipa comes up against men taking credit for her work. Cheering her on when she stands up for herself, choosing to spread a strong feminist message to young girls rather than chase the fame regaled onto male archeologists on her dig.

The film’s magical realism adds a beautiful element to Phillipa’s journey. It highlights the emotional pull to finish her search. Not to mention how charming actor Harry Lloyd is as Richard. Steve Coogan plays Phillipa’s ex-husband John, a man going through a mid-life crisis who grows to respect Phillipa’s passion for her subject. Coogan is an icon and is no less intriguing in this role. Sally Hawkins plays Phillipa. Her ability to live in a character’s skin is magnificent. Her physicality dazzles. She can do no wrong in my book. Her enthusiasm is contagious.


EXCLUSIVELY IN OVER 750 THEATERS ON MARCH 24, 2023


In the archaeological find of a century, the remains of King Richard III — presumed scattered over 500 years ago — were discovered under a parking lot in Leicester in 2012. The search was spearheaded by amateur historian Philippa Langley, whose passion and unrelenting research were met with skepticism by the academic establishment. Directed by two-time Oscar® nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen, “A Very English Scandal”) and starring two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Spencer) as Langley, The Lost King is the inspiring true story of a woman who refused to be ignored and took on Britain’s most eminent historians, forcing them to rethink the legacy of one of the most controversial rulers in English history. A tale of discovery, obsession, and stolen glory (both then and now), The Lost King is a magical adventure illuminated by one woman’s awakened sense of purpose.


CAST: Sally Hawkins, Steve Coogan, Harry Lloyd

DIRECTED BY: Stephen Frears

WRITTEN BY: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope

PRODUCED BY: Christine Langan, Dan Winch and Steve Coogan

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY: Jeff Pope



Run Time: 108 minutes

Distributor: IFC Films

Review: ‘THE WORST ONES (Les Pires)’- art imitates life in this beautifully moving film.

Set in the suburbs of Boulogne-Sur-Mer in northern France, The Worst Ones captures a film within a film as it follows the production of a feature whose director turns to the local Cité Picasso housing project for casting. Eager to capture performances of gritty authenticity, the director selects four working class teenagers to act in the film to the surprise and consternation of the local community, who question the director’s choice of “the worst ones.” As the director and crew audition, rehearse, film, and interact with their hand-picked cast, jealousies are stoked, lines are crossed, and ethical questions arise, with thought-provoking and at times darkly funny results. Winner of the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, The Worst Ones announces directors Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret as exciting new voices in French cinema.


THE WORST ONES is a meta-narrative that succeeds in conveying hope through hardship. Not only does the film shine in its storytelling, embracing heartbreak and socioeconomic trauma, but the performances also by our four young actors will hypnotize the viewer. Check out the clip below for a taste:

Timéo Mahaut and Mallory Wanecque play the theatrical brother and sister duo, Lily and Ryan. Each pulling from the script an element of abandonment and aggression. This recurring theme is “permission to feel,” The screenplay skillfully taps into the idea that these children struggle to experience a traditional childhood when food, parents, stability, and peace seem out of reach. Their casting becomes the ultimate healing outlet. THE WORST ONES boasts a compelling film-within-a-film structure with an ending that leaves an impression on your soul.

 


Cannes award-winning feature THE WORST ONES (Les Pires), will open theatrically today in New York on March 24 (The Quad) and in Los Angeles on April 7 (Laemmle Monica) with additional cities including Chicago, Denver, and more to follow.

BUFF 2023 review: ‘SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING’ is Quentin Dupieux at his finest.

SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING

Keep an Eye Out and Incredible But True director and master of the absurd, Quentin Dupieux, brings his latest film, SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING, to BUFF 2023 audiences. A brilliant bait-and-switch, this bizarre superhero team film is not what it seems.

Structured as a deranged knockoff of the Power Rangers, the film follows the superhero crew Tobacco Force. Ordered to go on retreat to recharge their relationship, their Chief, a scrawny puppet akin to TMNT Master Splinter, warns them of the ultimate intergalactic evil. Within the larger narrative, the film soon pivots to a campfire story anthology, each tale wilder than the last. Murder, mayhem, an industrial accident, and forbidden love all mix in Dupieux’s most bizarre film yet.

Quentin Dupieux’s style screams off the screen. You never know what weirdness comes next. He makes it a habit of pushing the envelope. The limit does not exist in his dialogue. Jokes often go on for longer than the audience expects. That is quintessential Dupieux. SMOKING CAUSES COUGHING is yet another over-the-top entry, and BUFF23 audiences are in for an unforgettable time. Heads up, stick around for the credits.


BOSTON UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2023

SXSW 2023 capsule review: ‘CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING SAINT’ is a heavenly bait-and-switch.

CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING SAINT


“Manifest your destiny” becomes literal in writer-director Tomas Gomez Bustillo‘s SXSW 2023 film CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING SAINT. In a small village in Santa Rita, Riat is an elderly chapel keeper who longs for sainthood. At odds with the righteous women from her prayer group, she cooks up a scheme to produce a “miracle’ at the expense of everyone in her life.

CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING is two films in one. It is a stunning bait-and-switch. Do not leave when you see the credits roll. The second half of the film is laugh-out-loud funny and beautifully profound. The visual gag of sneezing took me a moment to understand. It is brilliant. 

Rita is the definition of a “corruptible soul.” Hers is an arc of redemption. Mónica Villa is magnetic. She nails the subtle comedy with precision. CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING is a clever commentary on goodness and eternal love. Do not miss it at this year’s festival.


Film Screenings

 
 
Mar 16, 2023
11:00am12:24pm
 

Credits

Director:

Tomas Gomez Bustillo

Executive Producer:

Samir Oliveros, Doriane Desfaugeres, Ciro Apicella, RJ Glass

Producer:

Gewan Brown, Amanda Freedman, Tomas Medero (co-producer)

Screenwriter:

Tomas Gomez Bustillo

Cinematographer:

Pablo Lozano

Editor:

Benjamin Tolentino

Production Designer:

Doriane Desfaugeres

Sound Designer:

Andres Velazquez

Music:

Felipe Delsart

Principal Cast:

Monica Villa, Horacio Marassi, Pablo Moseinco, Silvia Mackenzie, Noemi Ron, Silvia Porro, Hernan Bustamante, Dahyana Turkie, Iair Said

Additional Credits:

Co-Producer: Tomas Medero, Associate Producer: Geronimo Coldesina

SXSW 2023 review: Kim Albright’s ‘WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN’ is hooked on a feeling.

WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN

Disassociate with me, will you? Anabel is an artist who wears her emotions on her sleeves. She exists in a world that lets technology take away stress or pain by installing an app that manages your life as a checklist. Now you don’t have to feel anything. After Anabel finds a sudden proclamation of love rejected, she removes her heart, giving it to the man. The consequence being she becomes a disassociated drone. What happens when someone steals your heart? SXSW 2023 film from Kim Albright  With Love and A Major Organ lets us feel again.

Quippy and biting dialogue plus a slick socially relevant plot (the reliance on technology) make With Love and A Major Organ one of the imaginative selections at SXSW 2023. The hilarious and somehow simultaneously romantic poetry from Anabel is captivating. Lighting plays a delightful role in the film. It is whimsical and gorgeous and underscores Anabel’s fantasies. The score sweeps you off your feet.

Hamza Haq plays George with childlike irrationality, and it is a masterpiece. Verna Sood is George’s mother, Mona. She is an unexpected anchor in this emotional roller coaster. Anna Maguire plays Anabel with both wild abandon and a dry robotic acidity. Julia Lederer‘s script allows her to soar, and she rises to the occasion at every turn.

“You can dedicate your whole life to something and still do it wrong.” This single statement punched me in the gut. The edited representation of unconditional love and their connection to memory is gasp-worthy. A very pointed opening credit sequence comes back to make sense halfway through the film. The visual metaphors in With Love and A Major Organ are exquisite.

With Love and a Major Organ has exceptional storytelling and visual style. It permits us to feel without stigma. It celebrates individuality and allows people to love what they love in peace. It’s a perfect match for SXSW audiences. It’s an absolute charmer.


Film Screenings

 
 
Mar 14, 2023
9:00pm10:31pm
 
Mar 17, 2023
2:30pm4:01pm
 

Credits

Director:

Kim Albright

Executive Producer:

Lori Lozinski, Carol Whiteman

Producer:

Madeleine Davis

Screenwriter:

Julia Lederer

Cinematographer:

Leonardo Harim

Editor:

Tony Zhou

Production Designer:

Megan MacAulay

Sound Designer:

Matt Drake

Music:

Jeremy Wallace Maclean

Principal Cast:

Anna Maguire, Hamza Haq, Veena Sood, Donna Benedicto, Lynda Boyd, Arghavan Jenati, Enid-Raye Adams, Kerën Burkett, Ryan Beil, Laara Sadiq

Additional Credits:

Story Consultant: Anita Doran, Costume Designer: Nicole Swan, Casting by: Erin Lally, CSA, Annalese Tilling, Co-Producer: Nessa Aref, Production Manager: Shyam Valera, First Assistant Director: Rachel Rose, Art Director: Tiana P. Gordon, Gaffer: Yannie Yu, Sound Mixer: Coby DeGroot, Hair & Makeup: Alison Jeffreys

SXSW 2023 documentary review: ‘WHO I AM NOT’ is an eye-opening lesson on humanity and identity.

WHO I AM NOT

Gender identity is a hot-button issue around the globe. For intersex people, existing is complicated and emotionally taxing. SXSW 2023 doc WHO I AM NOT follows two individuals who follow divergent paths on their journey to self-acceptance. When intersex children are born, most doctors suggest that parents choose one set of genitals. This complex decision should not even be an option. Sharon-Rose and Katso were born with both sets of genitals. Neither function to produce children. The film exploring happiness, navigating family, discrimination, and dating is emotionally wrought and fascinating.

Dimakatso Sebidi is a male-presenting person whose intersex identity prevents them from finding a job. They feel their family made a terrible decision at birth, stealing any chance for pure happiness. In the search for medical answers, a pelvic exam proves excruciating for Katso. An ultrasound allows them to see what their internal sex organs look like for the first time. A chromosomal test confirms something astonishing. The stress and fear are palpable. They go so far as to seek validation and cleansing from elders. Spritual reckoning involves bone reading and four chickens.

Sharon-Rose Khumalo presents as a female. She and Katso connect for the same reasons but exist on opposite sides of the gender spectrum. Sharon-Rose is a beauty pageant winner, works in marketing, and hosts a DIY home decor Youtube channel. She longs to bear children but knows it is impossible. The classically beautiful and happy facade disguises deep, longing sadness. Her attempts to find a partner that accepts her inability to have biological children nearly break her. Director Tünde Skovrán takes the opportunity to convey her Sharon-Rises inner turmoil with thoughtful creativity.

I find it ironic that Christianity plays such a looming role in the lives of South Africans. If God created people in his image and is infallible, why do so many preachers and institutions narrowly define male and female? Religion is so often a spirit murderer. WHO I AM NOT explores how each family confronts these issues.

Sharon-Rose and Katso seek respect and live in harmony without judgment. In the way sexuality is not a choice, being born intersex is not a choice. WHO I AM NOT is an essential education for audiences far beyond the seats at SXSW 2023. It deserves a global audience.


Film Screenings

Mar 11, 2023
8:30pm10:12pm
 
Mar 12, 2023
6:00pm7:42pm
 
Mar 16, 2023
11:15am12:57pm
 

Credits

Director:

Tünde Skovrán

Executive Producer:

Patricia Arquette, Andrei Zinca, Tünde Skovrán, Marc Smolowitz, Jafta Mekgoe, Danielle Turkov, M.J. Packham, Maryse Rouillard

Producer:

Andrei Zinca

Screenwriter:

Tünde Skovrán

Cinematographer:

Daniel Szandtner, Felix Striegel, Guillaume Beaudoin

Editor:

Marianna Rudas HSE

Sound Designer:

Martin Cadieux-Rouillard

Music:

Luc Sicard; songs by Bonzegive Mabandla, Desiree, Brian Bibb

Additional Credits:

Co Producer: Paul Cadieux, Co-Producer: Patrick Hamm, Associate Producer: Amy Shepherd, Associate Producer: Daniel Szantnder, VFX & Color grading: Dean Lewis, Sound recording: Blaise Rival, Sound recording: Adam Vadasz, Associate Producer: Janos Kovacs, Associate Producer: Edith Weil

 

SXSW 23 review: It’s my party and I’ll die if I want to, ‘My Drywall Cocoon’ is a twisted tale of society, secrets, and sadness.

MY DRYWALL COCOON

Writer-director Caroline Fioratti’s SXSW 2023 film MY DRYWALL COCOON launches headlong with time hopping in this 24-hour dig into the death of the birthday girl. A story tackling class, privilege, power, and secrets, this cloak-and-dagger film never lets up.

Maria Luisa Mendonca plays Patricia with gut-wrenching honesty, owning her grief and guilt. Michel Joelsas is Nicolas. His aggression covers his insecurities and sexuality. Joelsas slips into this role like a pro. You equally loathe and feel for him. Mari Oliveira is Virginia’s best friend Luana. She is manipulative and hides a dark coping mechanism. As she flaunts her sexuality for power, her guilt is on par with her disassociation. Daniel Botelho plays Gabriel with a morbid attitude. A bit of a conspiracy theorist, Gabriel’s teenage pushback comes with an underlying sentimentality. Bella Piero plays Virginia with genuine sweetness and surprising fearlessness. Quietly crying for help, but no one is listening. Piero navigates her emotional abandonment with masterful ease.

The score elicits classic thriller vibes. The lighting is magnificent. As we jump in time, neon-saturated party scenes get starkly contrasted by harsh natural light the morning after. Foiratti skillfully drops clues to keep your mind swirling, making everyone a suspect. One particularly disturbing visual remains a mystery until the very end of the film. It is one hell of a metaphor. A carefully crafted thriller, MY DRYWALL COCOON will have SXSW 23 audiences on the edge of their seats, second-guessing the entire way.


 
Caroline Fioratti

Film Screenings

Mar 11, 2023
3:30pm5:25pm
 
Mar 11, 2023
4:00pm5:55pm
 
Mar 13, 2023
12:45pm2:40pm
 
Mar 13, 2023
1:15pm3:10pm
 
Mar 17, 2023
5:30pm7:25pm
 

Credits

Director:

Caroline Fioratti

Producer:

Rui Pires, André Montenegro

Screenwriter:

Caroline Fioratti

Cinematographer:

Helcio Alemão Nagamine

Editor:

Leopoldo Joe Nakata

Production Designer:

Monica Palazzo

Sound Designer:

Ricardo Reis and Miriam Biderman

Music:

Flavia Tygel

Principal Cast:

Maria Luisa Mendonça, Bella Piero, Michel Joelsas, Mari Oliveira, Daniel Botelho, Caco Ciocler

Review: Irish folk horror ‘UNWELCOME’ is a fairy tale for adults.

UNWELCOME

Directed by Jon Wright and co-written by Mark Stay, Irish folk horror UNWELCOME has you on edge from the beginning. A fresh start for Maya, Jaime, and their baby on the way, comes with a caveat; their newly inherited country house has a beautiful garden that backs up against the woods and a promised nightly offering to keep the Red Caps at bay. Not upholding tradition with the little people beyond the wall could be a huge mistake.

Colm Meaney is the abusive Daddy Whelan, heading up the unsavory local family fixing the cottage. Proud and fiery, he is just as volatile as his children. Jaime-Lee O’Donnell and Chris Walley make the aggressive audience relentlessly uncomfortable with their behavior and nationalist words. Kristian Nairn plays Eoin, the quiet, clearly complicated, deemed “simple” son of the Whelan crew. Nairn gives a brilliant performance, more complex than at first glance.

Douglas Booth wears his emotions on his sleeve as Jaime. He is charming and kind but channels his unresolved trauma into simmering anger and anxiety. Hannah John-Kamen is enchanting and vulnerable. She owns the screen in her self-assured presence. Her chemistry with Booth and the rest of the cast keeps you watching.

The script is a dark adult version of a Grimm’s fairytale. Costumes are as colorful as the scenery is lush. Gorgeous drone shots down windy roads are breathtaking. The score creeps up on you. The first appearance of the elusive creatures is reminiscent of 80s Jim Henson; think Hoggle and the goblins from Labyrinth. They are awesome in the truest sense of the word. As a person who has been pregnant twice, the violence in the film is visceral. The commitment from the cast is applause-worthy. As the impressive practical effects get more intense, so do their performances. You will find yourself wincing and giggling simultaneously. Yes, it is over the top. And yes, the ending is a real WTF. Just go with it and have fun because in UNWELCOME, keeping the tradition alive keeps you alive.


UNWELCOME is set to be out in theaters this FRIDAY, MARCH 10th

 as it’s part of the AMC Thrills & Chills lineup,

and on Digital Tuesday, March 14th!