Slamdance: Big Fur
Guest review by Ally Russell. Big Fur is an enjoyable watch for Bigfoot believers, taxidermy enthusiasts, and environmentalists.
Slamdance: Shoot to Marry
Steve Markle’s Shoot to Marry is a heartfelt and quirky documentary about finding love and being true to yourself.
NewFest: All We’ve Got
A fairly unpolished yet important documentary explores the decline in lesbian community spaces with a focus on the ones that are still thriving.
Auggie
Directed by Matt Kane and starring Richard Kind and Christen Harper, Auggie is a science fiction film that explores life after retirement and how technology can make us lose grips with reality.
TIFF: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a mesmerizing and atmospheric lesbian love story. Highly recommended.
TIFF: A Herdade
The newest film from Portuguese director Tiago Guedes, A Herdade is a sprawling family saga. Gorgeously shot, firmly rooted in Portuguese culture but is overly long.
TIFF: Disco
Norwegian film follows a talented teenager plagued with problems who loses herself through her involvement in Christian cults.
TIFF: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood takes an unconventional route to tell the story of an extraordinary man. Mister Rogers is the supporting actor in his own movie and that’s just the way he would have wanted it.
TIFF: Pelican Blood
Set in the bucolic countryside of Germany, Pelican Blood tells the story of Wiebke, an adoptive mother and talented horse trainer. It’s at her horse camp there that she trains … Continue Reading TIFF: Pelican Blood
TIFF: The Moneychanger
Directed by Federico Veiroj, The Moneychanger (Así habló el cambista) paints the portrait of a man who is simply up to no good.
TIFF: Hope
Directed by Maria Sødahl and based on a true story, Hope is a heart-wrenching tale of a woman who must face her terminal cancer diagnosis and at the same time mend her broken relationship.
TIFF: Knuckle City
Director Jahmil X.T. Qubeka’s South African boxing film Knuckle City is a brutal story about an aging boxer who will do anything to survive.
TIFF: White Lie
Directed by Calvin Thomas and Yonah Lee, White Lie tells the story of a college student who fakes cancer. A taut and compelling drama.
TIFF: While at War
Director Alejandro Amenábar’s While at War/Mientras dure la guerra about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s last stand during the Spanish Civil War offers a grand production and fine performances but lacks in emotion.
TIFF: Sea Fever
An enthralling sci-fi film from Irish filmmaker Neasa Hardiman. Feels both classic and brand new. Stays true to its story and doesn’t rely on splashy special effects to be thrilling.
Rafiki
Directed by Wanuri Kahiu, Rafiki stars Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva as two young Kenyan women who fall in love and have to face the ramifications of their anti-LGBTQ culture. Available on DVD from Film Movement.