Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Panah Panahi Stars: Panteas Panahiha, Hassan Madjooni, Amin Simsar, Rayan Sarlak. An Iranian family of four head out for a road trip. In the car is the mother (Pantea Panahiha), the father Khosro (Hassan Madjooni) whose leg is in a cast, their elder son Farid (Amin Simsar) who is quite… continue reading »
LORO
Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Paolo Sorrentino Stars: Toni Servillo, Elena Sofia Ricci, Riccardo Scamarcio, Kasia Smutniak, Giovanni Esposito, Dario Contarelli. This messy, vulgar, bloated and indulgent biopic of Silvio Berlusconi (played here by Toni Servillo), the lecherous tycoon and media mogul who served four terms as Italy’s divisive, colourful and controversial Prime Minister mired… continue reading »
COLD WAR
Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Pawel Pawilowski Stars: Tomas Kot, Joanna Kulik, Agata Kulesza, Borys Szyc, Jeanne Balibar, Cedric Kahn. This melancholy romantic drama about a pair of star-crossed lovers kept apart in the divided Europe after WWII has been largely inspired by the experiences of Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawilowski’s own parents. Cold War spans… continue reading »
NORMANDY NUDE
Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Phillipe Le Guay Stars: Francois Cluzet, Gregory Gadebois, Toby Jones, Arthur Dupont, Phillipe Rebbot, Patrick d’Assumcao, Lucie Muratet, Daphne Dumons, Pili Groyne, Julie Ann Roth. This French comedy/drama tells of a town of struggling farmers who prepare to strip off and pose nude for a photo shoot. If this brief… continue reading »
WAJIB
Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Annemarie Jacir Stars: Mohammad Bakri, Saleh Bakri, Maria Zreik. Wajib translates as “duty”. But duty has different meanings for different people – there is duty to one’s family. To parents, to your country. This gentle and low key but insightful drama is the third feature film for Palestinian born filmmaker… continue reading »
A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN
Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire Stars: Joe Cole, Pornchanok Mabklang. This intense brutal prison drama is like Kickboxer meets Midnight Express. This unflinching, hard hitting and gritty and harrowing true story is set inside Thailand’s notorious Bang Kwang Central prison, better known as the infamous Bangkok Hilton. Like Midnight Express, which depicted Billy… continue reading »
