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Wild Tales
Six short films within a film provide a blackly comic and highly enjoyable portrayal of middle class meltdown within what writer/director Szifron calls the “crazy system” and “corrupt space” of modern Argentina. The influence of co-producer Pedro Almodovar, who along with his brother funded the film, is evident; Szifron also cites the work of Steven…
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Listen Up Philip
Up and coming young New York novelist Philip (Rushmore’s Jason Schwartzman) suffers a crisis of confidence on the eve of the publication of his second novel. He finds solace in a burgeoning friendship with his Philip Roth-like hero, played by Jonathan Pryce (Ike Zimmerman – echoes of Roth’s alter ego, Nathan Zuckerman). This dry, misanthropic…
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The Good Lie
Based on a true story, three orphans flee war-torn Sudan and make the appalling journey to a Kenyan refugee centre. Jump ahead 13 years and Mamere, Jeremiah and Paul gain entry to the US. Enter Reese Witherspoon to play the brisk charity worker who helps them find employment and understand Western society. Happily this is…
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What We Do in the Shadows
Wonderful mockumentary on flat-sharing vampires struggling with the practicalities of modern life. A new challenge faces them when Stu, a human, triggers bromantic feelings and the vampires feel honour-bound not to bite him. With Flight of the Conchords team behind the script there are lots of laughs. An audience favourite and voted top comedy of…
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Slow West
A truly masterful, vastly enjoyable directorial debut from McClean. Shot in New Zealand, directed by a Brit and attracting top stars this pacey Western quest story is a film to relish. A naïve young Scot travels to the Wild West to find his errant sweetheart. Stunning acting, screenplay & cinematography. ‘There’s everything here from John…
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Salt of the Earth
Award-winning documentary of the 40 years of photographer Salgado’s immensely influential work. With footage of the photographer himself and interviews with family and colleagues, the film presents his images which captured the changing face and impact of humanity as well as the planet’s beauty. ‘The Salt of the Earth is a visually stunning and oftentimes…
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Nightcrawler
A pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Lou Bloom is a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Joining a group of freelance camera crews who specialize in filming crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, known as nightcrawlers, Lou muscles into the…
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La Famille Belier
A hearing girl lives with her deaf parents and brother on a farm where she acts as the family’s interpreter. They cannot appreciate her talent for singing, but she is encouraged by her local choir to pursue a career in it, which would mean moving to Paris and leaving her family. This coming-of-age drama proved…
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Theeb
It’s World War One and a young Bedouin boy helps guide a mysterious British officer to a rendezvous in the Hijaz desert. Their plans swiftly unravel. The film pays critical homage to David Lean’s epic Lawrence of Arabia, but ultimately this is about a boy finding his way in an adult world, rather than an…
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Marshland
In post-Franco Spain two detectives with conflicting political ideologies pair up to solve a murder case in a remote wetland area in the south of Spain. Their mutual mistrust is mirrored by the cold reception from reactionary locals. Brilliant edge-of-your seat detective thriller. Sight & Sound. 41 awards.