FILM OF THE WEEK
EMILY
This engaging period film marks the directorial debut of Frances O’Connor, the celebrated Australian actor whose intelligent screenplay tells the story of Emily Bronte (Emma Mackey), with particular emphasis on her early life before she wrote “Wuthering Heights”. The action takes place outside Bradford by the Yorkshire Moors, and at the start it focuses on the rivalry between Emily and her two sisters especially with Charlotte (Alexandra Dowling), the future writer of “Jane Eyre”. Her younger sister Anne (Amelia Gething) is not featured fully here – she is always on the periphery of the action and her relationship with her sisters is not fully explored. But the strength and centre of the film lies in Emily’s relationship with her sensitive older brother Branwell (Fionn Whitehead) and the man she falls in with -the dashing priest Weightman (Oliver Jackson- Cohen)…
An assured directorial debut from Frances O’Connor who elicits magnetic performance from her cast. Mackie last seen in the French feature EIFFEL is on fine form and shares an incredible chemistry with Whitehead, her beloved brother. There is a natural bond and love for each other until Emily falls for Weightman. This is clearly a labour of love for O’Connor, who covers a lot of material in the life of the Brontës but curiously the action towards the end of the film feels rushed and I suspect that a lot of material has probably ended on the cutting room floor. An enjoyable big screen experience!
ALL THAT BREATHES
This fascinating documentary arrives in cinemas direct from its London Film Festival premiere. It takes place in New Delhi, one of the world’s most populated cities and follows the story of two brothers – Nadeem and Saud, who dedicate their lives in looking after the black kite. This majestic bird of prey is essential to the city’s ecosystem but lately it has been falling from the sky at alarming rate. Thankfully the two Muslim Brothers are there to protect them and nurse them from their small basement hospital until they are ready to return to the skies.
Shaunak Sen directs a mesmerising, essential film of great beauty and humanity found in the most unexpected places.
BENEDETTA
The name of Dutch director Paul Verhoeven has become synonymous with controversy and his latest continuous the tradition that began with such films as BASIC INSTINCT, SHOWGIRLS and ELLE.
The action of this true story takes place in the Italian City of Pescia during the 17th Century -Benedetta (Virginie Efira), I devoted to the Virgin Mary and as a child is given entry to the Theatine Convent. When she grows up, she becomes a a prominent figure in the convent until she begins to claim that she has violent visions of Jesus and things get even worse when she begins a forbidden lesbian affair with a farm girl called Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia)…
It is a provocative film that works thanks to Efira’s luminous and daring performance. Charlotte Rampling striking presence as the Abbess adds class to the proceedings.
It is probably the most sensational film about nuns since Ken Russell’s highly controversial THE DEVILS. (MUBI)
ALL IS VANITY
When I first saw this at last year’s London Film Festival, I found it pretentious and dull. On a second viewing I disliked it even more – a group of utterly unsympathetic characters – an eccentric, smug photographer (Sid Phoenix), his inexperienced assistant (James Aroussi), a distracted make-up artist (Rosie Steel) and an indifferent model (Isabelle Bonfrer) get together for a fashion shoot in a London warehouse.
Writer/director Marcos Mereles’ dialogue feels forced and never rings true, which makes the performances even more unengaging. The premise may show promise but overall, a disappointing film.
ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING
A brilliant documentary from Andrew Dominic which follows the talented musician Nick Cave as he embarks on a deeply personal journey. The brilliant musician is very charismatic, and his magnetic personality was previously explored in 20.000 DAYS ON EARTH. Dominic’s black and white cinematography with occasional splashes of colour highlights Cave’s inner turmoil.
An honourable film about a unique artist from Australia who made his home in Brighton until tragedy strikes. Unmissable! (MUBI)
CAMPING TRIP
An urgent horror movie that takes place during the summer of 2020 just after the first lockdown. Two couples tired of being isolated for months decide to go on a camping trip by the lake far away from the city. But their joy is cut short when they find a dead body in the woods and soon after things get even worse when two strangers arrive on the scene…
Co-director and writer Leonardo Luca plays also one of the friends, who struggle to survive against the odds. His screenplay makes great use of the Covid paranoia and explores the challenges of being loyal in moments of crisis. It works despite the hysterical acting!
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