Cannes: Tale of Tales review
The latest film from Italian director Matteo Garrone, and his first in the English language, is based upon the seventeenth century fairytales of Giambattista Basile, who pre-dated and heavily influenced the Brothers Grimm. While the movie may be in English, Garrone has not limited himself to actors from one particular country or of a single accent, … Read more
Cannes: Standing Tall (La Tête Haute) review
Opening with a tense and occasionally even upsetting sequence in a Judge’s office, director Emmanuelle Bercot wastes no time in throwing her audience straight into the grim reality of her subject matter in Standing Tall. Yet there’s nothing rushed about this early scene and Bercot uses it to set up the narrative with a great deal of efficiency. The main protagonist – although he … Read more
The Salvation review
The extent to which you enjoy The Salvation will be rooted in your feelings about westerns in general, such is director Kristin Levring‘s devotion to the trappings and tropes of the genre. So many recognisable elements are on display that the film sometimes feels like a highlights reel. The story opens with the introduction of a lone gunman hero, … Read more
Cannes: Rolf de Heer talks to us about Charlie’s Country, loose filmmaking process and David Gulpilil
At the centre of Rolf de Heer‘s latest film, Charlie’s Country, is the titular Charlie, an aboriginal man in a struggle with the modern Australian society that rejects his way of life. Charlie is played by the much-loved actor David Gulpilil, and the film is obviously as personal for him as it is for director-writer de … Read more