All That Breathes (subtitles)

India/UK/US, 2022, Documentary, 132m, 12A, Director: Shaunak Sen

RT 100%, IMDb 7.2

As legions of birds fall from New Delhi’s darkening skies, and the city smoulders with social unrest, two brothers race to save a casualty of the turbulent times: the black kite, a majestic bird of prey essential to their city’s ecosystem. Best Doc winner London, Sundance & Cannes Film Festivals; Oscar & BAFTA awards nominee.

RTCC: “A poetic tribute to tenacity, All That Breathes uses two brothers’ tireless efforts to make a broader point about finding triumph within tragedy.”

Parasite (subtitles)

South Korea, 2019, Thriller/comedy, 132m, 15, Director: Bong Joon-ho

RT 99%, IMDb 8.5

Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan. Winner 4 Oscars, 2 BAFTAs, 1 Golden Globe, and the Cannes Palme d’Or.

RTCC: “An urgent, brilliantly layered look at timely social themes, Parasite finds writer-director Bong Joon Ho in near-total command of his craft.”

The Banshees of Inisherin

Ireland/UK/US, 2022, Comedy/drama, 114m, 15, Director: Martin McDonagh

RT 97%, IMDb 7.8

On a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) find themselves at an impasse when Colm puts an end to their friendship. Winner 3 Golden Globes; 10 BAFTA noms; 9 Oscar noms.

RT critics consensus (RTCC): “Featuring some of Martin McDonagh’s finest work and a pair of outstanding lead performances, The Banshees of Inisherin is a finely crafted feel-bad treat.”

To Leslie

US, 2022, Drama, 119m, 15, Director: Michael Morris.

RT 97%, IMDb 7.1

Leslie (Andrea Riseborough), a Texan single mother struggling to provide for her son, wins the lottery. A few years later the money is gone, and Leslie is on her own. 1 Oscar nom.

RTCC: “To Leslie’s familiar framework is granted extra depth through a stellar Andrea Riseborough and a sensitive and nuanced approach to the cycle of addiction.”

Aftersun

UK, 2022, Drama, 102m, 12A, Director: Charlotte Wells

RT 95%, IMDb 7.8

At a fading vacation resort, 11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Coro) treasures time together with her father (Paul Mescal). 20 years later, her recollections become a portrait of their relationship. 4 BAFTA noms; 1 Oscar nom.

RTCC: “Led by Frankie Corio’s tremendous performance, Aftersun deftly ushers audiences to the intersection between our memories of loved ones and who they really are.”

Sick of Myself (subtitles)

Norway/Sweden, 2022, Comedy/drama, 95m, [not yet rated], Director: Kristoffer Borgli

RT 93%, IMDb 7.2

A self-absorbed young woman in a competitive relationship creates an unhealthy new persona to attract attention and sympathy, and one-up her artist boyfriend.

RTCC: n/a.

“feels like a reflection of our current image-obsessed era … that’s what makes it such a vicious little treat to enjoy.” (Hollywood Reporter)

The Son (subtitles)

Belgium/France, 2002, Mystery drama, 104m, 12A, Director: Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne

RT 88%, IMDb 7.5

Oliver, a carpentry instructor at a rehab facility for troubled teenagers, develops an obsessive interest in a young apprentice. Why does Oliver seem so interested in him? From renowned Belgian filmmaking duo the Dardenne brothers. Cannes Best Actor winner.

RTCC: “Austere, finely crafted, and compelling.”

Holy Spider (subtitles)

Denmark/Germany/France/Sweden/Jordan/Italy, 2022, Crime drama, 118m, 18, Director: Ali Abbasi

RT 84%, IMDb 7.3

A journalist descends into the dark underbelly of the Iranian holy city of Mashhad, to investigate the serial killings of sex workers by the so-called Spider Killer, who believes he is cleansing the streets of sinners. Cannes Best Actress award winner, shortlisted for Cannes Palme d’Or, Danish entry to Oscars.

RTCC: “Holy Spider foregoes subtlety in favor of a viscerally outraged dramatization inspired by appalling actual events.”

The Edukators (subtitles)

Germany, 2004, Crime drama, 127m, 15, Director: Hans Weingartner

RT 70%, IMDb 7.4

Peter and Jan are “edukators,” anarchists who break into wealthy people’s homes to serve notice that their days are numbered. Peter’s girlfriend convinces Jan to help her “edukate” a businessman to whom she owes money. 1 European Film Awards nom, shortlisted for Cannes Palme d’Or.

RTCC: “The Edukators engagingly plays out the clash between youthful idealism and older pragmatism.”

Master Cheng (subtitles)

Finland/China, 2019, Comedy/drama, 94m, PG, Director: Mika Kaurismäki

RT 64%, IMDb 6.9

When a widowed professional chef washes up in a remote Finnish town with his son, his culinary skills enchant the locals.

RTCC: n/a

“If you liked Chocolat or Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman, you’ll enjoy this. Although it will make you desperately hungry.” Mail on Sunday.

Empire of Light

UK/US, 2022, Romance/Drama, 95m, 15, Director: Sam Mendes

RT 45%, IMDb 6.8

In 1981, within a fictional Margate cinema named the Empire, duty manager Hilary (Olivia Colman) and new employee Stephen (Michael Ward) forge a bond that forces both to examine what they want from life.

3 BAFTA noms.

RTCC: “Empire of Light contains some fine performances and a few flashes of brilliance, but this tribute to the magic of cinema is disappointingly mundane.”