Doris Dorrie’s FUKUSHIMA MON AMOUR is a touching look at life, loss and the human spirit’s struggle to push forward. It’s shot in sumptuous B&W and is not short of amusing quirkiness when West meets East. This bittersweet relationship is graced by moving performances from Rosalie Thomass and Kaori Momoi.
Udi Aloni’s JUNCTION 48 is a modern view of some talented Palestinian young people and their hip-hop dreams. Co-writer and lead actor Tamer Nafar rocks as the rapper faced with Arab ghetto life. There’s more to this movie’s feel-good sounds: director Aloni takes on tough issues. Think “Straight Outta Palestine.”
Wayne Wang’s WHILE THE WOMEN ARE SLEEPING features Beat Takeshi (Kitano) in a rare acting-only gig outside of his own films. His unique aura adds even more mystery to the film, also starring actor Hidetoshi Nishijima (here in CREEPY too). Wang gives a delectable dose of sensuality to this noirish tale of obsessive desire and writer’s block.
Danis Tanovic’s DEATH IN SARAJEVO is a compact powerhouse about ticking bomb situations in a Sarajevo hotel. The focus might be on Balkan political and social issues, past and present, but Tanovic’s human approach and use of real-time urgency make the modern themes resonate for us all.
Ali Abbasi’s SHELLEY is a knockout debut from a director to watch. Following his acclaimed short M FOR MARKUS, Abbasi uses eerie visuals to bring out all the creepiness of this surrogacy gone wrong story. Outstanding performances from actresses Ellen Dorrit Petersen (Norway) and Cosmina Stratan (Romania).
Lav Diaz’s A LULLABY TO THE SORROWFUL MYSTERY is as poetic and soulful as its title. Lav Diaz is known for his lengthy films and this opus on the Philippine Revolution is no exception at 8 hours. Immersing yourself in the Lav Diaz universe is a unique experience. A pure cinematic event shot in majestic B&W.
Mani Haghighi’s A DRAGON ARRIVES! is a cornucopia of cinematographic pleasures. It’s full of fascinating scenery, intriguing production design, cool sounds. Haghighi’s wildly original script playfully messes with our heads. It’s a maze-like rollercoaster of tales, tangents and twists. That orange Chevy Impala!
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