international film Festival Rotterdam
IFFR Review: EAMI
Climate and habitat change might be a political discussion point for most of us but for those living within the canopies of the rainforests of South America it’s a daily reality. While most conversations about the environment focus on future states, many communities are being decimated by deforestation and global warming. Indeed, while pledges have …
IFFR Review: El gran movimiento
Our exposure in the UK to the cultures and politics of South America is limited, to say the least. This is, in part, due to geography. Relatively few people from the continent arrive on our shores and it’s not like it’s a viable holiday destination for many. Bolivia, for example, is not a country which …
IFFR Review: Life Of Crime 1984-2020
Wherever you stand on the nurture versus nature debate, it’s a given that the environment in which you grow up in has a huge impact on your future prospects. Where you live can be as important in determining your life chances as education or health, but in reality they’re all interconnected. Once you have a …
IFFR Review: A Human Position
Most filmmakers look for a story with a hook. A narrative heft which will make it stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression. If there are twists and turns with breathtaking cliffhangers and high stakes, all the better. In reality, our lives are full of little things and if tragedy should strike, …
IFFR Review: Freaks Out
Through the annals of history, people who are viewed as ‘different’, in some way, have never had it easy. Anyone suspected of possessing ‘special powers’ has been singled out and treated like something not quite human. If they happened to live at the ‘right time’, this could have meant being respected as a wise person …
IFFR Review: Assault
While personal achievement is always good, there’s something special about being part of a successful team. The camaraderie. The friendship. And while some tasks are just one-person jobs, bigger challenges often require a team of trained individuals who all bring their individual skills, experience and abilities to the party. Perhaps the most famous cinematic example …
IFFR Review: The King of Laughter
The early Twentieth century was boom time for theatres and playhouses. The Belle Epoque was in full swing across Europe and economic prosperity was on the rise. Technical and scientific innovations were heralding a whole new age of progress and discovery. Italy was no different and this period in the country’s history was characterised by …
IFFR Review: France
While she’s best known for high profile roles in Blue is the Warmest Colour and as Dr. Madeleine Swann in the Bond films, Léa Seydoux has been working in the industry for the last fifteen years. Collaborating with the likes of Wes Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, Quentin Tarantino and Woody Allen, as well as receiving five …
IFFR Review: Barbarian Invasion
Acting has to be the strangest profession. You can spend years of your life pretending to be someone else, to the degree that the general public will assume you are that character in real life. It’s not altogether surprising when this confusion brushes off onto the actors themselves. Obviously, they lead full and active lives …
IFFR Review: Bebia, à mon seul désir
For a species with a limited shelf life, we spend a bizarre amount of time thinking about death. Since early man we’ve surrounded our exit from the mortal coil with rituals and rites. Indeed, the ancient Egyptians seem to have built many of their pyramids with the intention of using them to fire the dead …