SHADOWS ON THE WALL | REVIEWS | NEWS | FESTIVAL | AWARDS | Q&A | ABOUT | TALKBACK | |||||
![]() Indies, foreign, docs and shorts...
On this page -
BFI FLARE SHORTS: | |||||
See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 30.Mar.20 | |||||
![]() London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival • held virtually, 18-29.Mar.20 Reviews by Rich Cline | Page 1 of 3 | |||||
![]() with Sadibou Diagne, Bina Diarra Diop, Lamine Fofana, Bass Laye, Cheikh Diene, Ngone Ndoye, Khady Diop, El Hadji Mamadou Dioui, Awa Ndoye, Cherif Niang 17/Belgium 21m |
Alious Journey Le Voyage dAliou ![]()
The film opens with a note that in Senegal homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment up to five years, plus a huge fine. This offers a hint about where the story is heading. There's nothing polished about the filmmaking, which is more than a little rough around the edges (the sound mix is particularly variable), but the story is more than intriguing enough to pull the audience in. Sharply underplayed by Diagne, the likeable, tenacious Aliou thinks it's important to tell stories that challenge people, and is frustrated that the community's unwillingness to make his movie is another sign that things need to change. It's a clever approach to a very thorny issue, and a powerful insight into African culture. 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() with Jessie Buckley, Sophia Brown, Alistair Petri), Samantha Spiro, Philippe Spall, Sope Dirisu, Marc Rodrigues-Bernet, Tom Jackson 19/UK 16m |
A Battle in Waterloo ![]()
Even if it looks like it was shot in Hampstead Heath with costumes borrowed from a community theatre group, the film is produced to a high standard (Isobel Waller-Bridge's score is particularly evocative), with especially strong performances. It grabs hold with its simple story and its pungent undertones. And Buckley is so good (as always) that she brings the emotions into raw, devastating focus, right to a stunning final twist. This is a great little story, the kind of historical detail that is usually overlooked but should be well-known. 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() scr Neil Hilborn with Frankie Stew, Elijah Harris, Ishtar Currie-Wilson 19/UK 5m |
Eyelash ![]()
Filmmaker Lewis-Reece skilfully deploys closeups, crash cuts and a visceral audio mix. This is a remarkable depiction of the way an obsessive-compulsive sees the world, and how it can put pressure on a relationship. The approach is bold, intense, thoroughly involving in a way that becomes almost overwhelming. Which is seriously stunning, from a filmmaking perspective. So where the story goes packs a strong emotional punch. 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() with Lika Minamoto, Francois Burgun, Arthur Gillet, Kengo Saito, Ryohei Tamura 19/France 25m |
Kikos Saints Les Saints de Kiko ![]()
With very little dialog, the film has an almost comical silent-movie tone, as Kiko becomes increasingly intrigued by these beardy-burly men until they spot her, leading to a quirky game of cat and mouse. It's beautifully shot in a deserted location, cleverly evoking a sense of isolation in both time and place. Filmmaker Marmier makes inventive use of the settings, colours, sounds, lighting and animation, playfully adding details with glimpses into Kiko's imagination, as well as her growing confidence in standing up to her husband (Saito) and her boss (Tamura). It's clear that neither she nor her work will ever be the same. 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() with Yoni Roodner, Jacob Avery, Rio Thake, Oliver Bickers, Aoife Checkland, Sophie Oliver, Harry Saward, Arlo McGowan 19/UK 12m |
My Sweet Prince ![]()
The film cuts between these clips and Tommy's expressive face, as he carefully observes the actions and attitudes of the other teens, then turns to Messenger to chat with his online buddy Mysweetprince (Saward) on a dial-up connection, making an appointment to chat later on webcam. "Can you see me?" Tommy asks, with more on his mind than just the camera. This is a lovely glimpse into the mind of a young man who knows he's not like everyone else and wonders if he will ever find a place where he fits in. And Bradbury's clever approach conveys this with visceral honesty through a collage of images, sounds and feelings. He even adds a Placebo track on the closing credits to offer a final kick. 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() with Otamere Guobadia, Dave Shields, Brian Martin, Stevie Raine, Henry Felix, Mary Higgins, Rowan Wigley, Serena Yagoub 19/UK 9m |
Pompeii ![]()
The filmmakers assemble this with a mixture of formats, as Tam looks at photos and video clips in various mobile phone app formats. This is a bracingly contemporary way to tell a story like this, and audiences who click into its rhythms will find layers of meaning in it. Of course the main thing is how amazing the online posts look, depicting a fantasy world of joy-filled clubbing and connection that doesn't quite reflect as authentic in the real-world morning after. This gives the film an astonishingly realistic tone, leading to some heart-stopping moments that quietly touch on everyday racism and homophobia, plus darkly resonant feelings of jealousy and betrayal. revisited 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() with Mohammad Ali Hashmi, Adnan Shah Tipu 20/Pakistan 11m |
Stray Dogs Come Out at Night ![]()
The film is sharply well made, filmed documentary-style in real locations with actors who never seem to be acting. Essentially an extended conversation, the scenes are packed with terrific bits of dialog that feel improvised, such as when Khurrum comments that the cops kill the stray dogs, while ignoring the smugglers, drug dealers and mobile phone thieves. There's even an a capella Bollywood musical moment as the two men sing while riding a camel. Yes, filmmaker Bangash creates a complex mixture of this kind of goofy joy alongside much darker realism and heightened drama. So even if it never quite grapples with its central theme, it raises some important issues. 27.Mar.20 flare | ||||
![]() with Sammy Kim, Conder Shou, Jon Wan 19/US 9m |
Who Can Predict What Will Move You ![]()
The film is a tapestry of unspoken yearnings mixed with expressions of masculine physicality. Everything about this film is subtle and understated, which allows the actors to create delicate textures in their interaction. It also makes the film seem more than a little sleepy, even if the internal emotions are powerfully felt thanks to some inventive touches by filmmaker Huang. Exquisitely shot and edited, there's a tactile quality to this film, bringing surfaces and skin to vivid life, even if the central narrative is very thin. It's experiential without ever being obvious, which makes it quietly haunting. 27.Mar.20 flare BFI Flare shorts: Page 1 of 3 • MORE > See also: FIVE FILMS FOR FREEDOM 2020 | ||||
![]() See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL © 2020 by Rich Cline, Shadows
on the Wall
HOME | REVIEWS | NEWS | FESTIVAL | AWARDS
| Q&A | ABOUT | TALKBACK | |