Curzon Artificial Eye
LFF Review: The Whistlers
The Romanian new wave is arguably the most interesting current movement in modern cinema. Of those directors working under this banner, Corneliu Porumboiu is possibly the most interesting. With award-winning films such as 12:08 East of Bucharest and The Treasure, he has wowed audiences on the festival circuit. His new film, The Whistlers, is his …
Film Review: The Souvenir
Joanna Hogg is undoubtedly one of the most unusual and singular voices working in British cinema today. Her work resides in the world she knows. A world of privilege, art and wealth. Whilst this approach is undeniably refreshing, it has come in for criticism. However, her work to date, Unrelated, Archipelago and Exhibition, demonstrate an …
Film Review: Foxtrot
Since the Partition of Palestine in 1947 in order to create a Jewish State, tensions have been high within the region. Whilst most film-makers focus on the conflict or the plight of the Palestinians, the impact on ordinary Israelis rarely gets any coverage outside of Israel. When children turn 18 they are conscripted into the …
Film Review: The Workshop
Anyone reaching adulthood in 2018 finds themselves in a strange and scary place. The world has been raped and pillaged by previous generations. Environment collapse, rampant capitalism, severe inequalities, racial tensions, high unemployment, fake news, online bullying – the list is endless. Many find themselves with limited job prospects and little chance of ever owning …
Film Review: The Seagull
Russia has a rich and diverse history when it comes to literature and the arts. One of the greatest playwrights to hail from the ‘motherland’ is Anton Chekhov. His greatest works are considered to be The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Seagull. However, after the negative reaction to the premiere of the …
Film Review: The Guardians
Whilst terrible acts are perpetrated in the name of war, there are often equally heinous events which take place in its shadow. France is a country which is no stranger to guerre. Indeed, throughout history (and even before it was officially one nation) our Gallic cousins seem to have been almost continually involved in one …
Film Review – Leaning Into The Wind: Andy Goldsworthy
If you ever happen across a man laid in the middle of the pavement or cavorting up a tree, there’s a fair chance that it’s Andy Goldsworthy. The British artist has based his remarkable career on his relationship with nature and the environment around him. The celebrated and award-winning land artist, sculptor and photographer even …
Film Review: Vagabond
Celebrating her 90th birthday this year, Agnes Varda remains one of the treasures of French cinema. Beginning with her first feature, La Pointe Courte, in 1954, she has spent decades making thought-provoking, intelligent and insightful films. In her latter years, she’s chosen to focus on making documentaries, but remains best-known for her narrative work. Most …
Film Review: L’Amant Double
There was a time when erotic thrillers were big business in Hollywood. For almost two decades, during the 1980s and 1990s, there was a raft of these types of films. Whilst they were mostly dreadful and all too often descended into soft porn, there were also some outstanding exceptions. The likes of Fatal Attraction, Body …
Blu-Ray Review: A Fantastic Woman
Whilst societies progress at different rates, in Britain at least we’ve come a long way over the last few decades when it comes to lesbian and gay rights. The current climate is by no means perfect and there’s still some way to go to achieve parity, but there seems to at least be, for the …