Film Festivals

A melancholic immigrant story As someone who was born and raised in Scarborough, I can say that Brother isn’t meant to be a complete representation of one’s experience living in the suburb. It is, however, a ballad of the immigrant experience and the confined opportunities that often come with that experience. Despite being in a country with relative freedoms, the film’s characters are forced to make decisions that are circumstantial at best. The idea that they have to choose between one thing or another – whether it’s family over true happiness, power over safety – is such a powerful statement and really underscores the entire narrative. Even if the story itself isn’t what every immigrant might experience, the collective struggles of making imperfect decisions helps establish a commonality for viewers. And having elements of a typical narrative documenting a world of racially charged violence, Virgo finds a way to elevate the film’s narration by creating an overly somber tone that constantly evolves with the story's alternating timelines. From the very beginning, there’s something ominous with the way Virgo establishes the film. Whether it’s Guy Godfree’s muted cinematography or Todor Kobakov’s melancholic score, Brother feels almost like a modernized Greek tragedy on a smaller scale. There’s a sense of grandeur seeping through its narrative core, creating a sense of purpose in what the film is trying to say. This becomes particularly apparent with the film’s emphatic detailing of police brutality, which always feels weighted, but never exploitative. Virgo knows how to deliver a strong message, and does so without signs of sensationalism.
Toronto International Film Festival 2022: BROTHER

Flexing his filmmaking prowess here, Clement Virgo’s Brother is a striking example of narrative storytelling that reaches a high emotional altitude.

Melbourne International Film Festival 2022: SALOUM, DUAL, THE PEZ OUTLAW, SHADOW & THE INTEGRITY OF JOSEPH CHAMBERS
Melbourne International Film Festival 2022: SALOUM, DUAL, THE PEZ OUTLAW, SHADOW & THE INTEGRITY OF JOSEPH CHAMBERS

In our first report from the Melbourne Film Festival, Sean Fallon reviews Saloum, Dual, Shadow, The Integrity of Joseph Chambers and The Pez Outlaw!

BONES AND ALL Trailer
Venice International Film Festival 2022: BONES AND ALL

Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All is a monumental statement on the beautiful powers of love bolstered by great performances.

Venice 2022: PRINCESS and BANU
Venice International Film Festival 2022: PRINCESS and BANU

From Venice FF, Princess and Banu are feature film efforts with strong female protagonists, both of whom are fighting very different battles in life.

TAR Trailer
Venice International Film Festival 2022: TÁR

It’s hard not to muse over whether any other performer this year can top what Cate Blanchett does in Todd Field’s Tár.

Venice International Film Festival 2022: WHITE NOISE
Venice International Film Festival 2022: WHITE NOISE

It’s hard to imagine Noah Baumbach making a film about an apocalypse, yet this enigma-raveled concept perfectly encapsulates White Noise.

New York Asian Film Festival 2022 Part Two: SHIN ULTRAMAN, THE SALES GIRL, BIG NIGHT!, THE THIEVES
New York Asian Film Festival 2022 Part Two: SHIN ULTRAMAN, THE SALES GIRL, BIG NIGHT!, THE THIEVES

Lee Jutton is back with her last report from this year’s New York Asian Film Festival!

New York Asian Film Festival 2022, Part One: LESSON IN MURDER, LEGENDARY IN ACTION! & THE FUNERAL
New York Asian Film Festival 2022, Part One: LESSON IN MURDER, LEGENDARY IN ACTION! & THE FUNERAL

The NYAFF is always a great chance to check out some extraordinary films that might not otherwise screen widely in this country.

Sydney Film Festival 2022: SALOUM & BURNING DAYS
Sydney Film Festival 2022: SALOUM & BURNING DAYS

From the 2022 Sydney Film Festival, Alex Lines covers Jean Luc Herbulot’s Saloum and Emin Alper’s Burning Days.

Tribeca Film Festival 2022 Report 3: CARAJITA & ATTACHMENT
Tribeca Film Festival 2022 Report 3: CARAJITA & ATTACHMENT

One of my favorite times of the year is coming to a close. While I…

Tribeca Film Festival 2022: HALFTIME
Tribeca Film Festival 2022: HALFTIME

Spanning the release of her film Hustlers to her Superbowl Halftime performance, Amanda Micheli’s Halftime documents Jennifer Lopez.

Tribeca Film Festival 2022 Report 2: CHERRY & NEXT EXIT
Tribeca Film Festival 2022 Report 2: CHERRY & NEXT EXIT

With her second report, Kristy Strouse covers Cherry and Next Exit!

Tribeca Film Festival 2022: WE MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD
Tribeca Film Festival 2022: WE MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD

Fear and paranoia are the perfect catalysts for mass panic in Natalia Sinelnikova’s We Might As Well Be Dead.

Tribeca Film Festival: GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE
Tribeca Film Festival: GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE

In Sophie Hyde’s Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, the stigma surrounding sexuality and age are examined and pushed.

Tribeca Film Festival 2022: LEAVE NO TRACE
Tribeca Film Festival 2022: LEAVE NO TRACE

Irene Taylor’s documentary Leave No Trace looks at the dark side of the Boy Scouts of America, which allowed the abuse of countless boys.