On this page: LEFT-HANDED GIRL | SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE | 300 LETTERS

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Each character takes an internalised journey, largely oblivious to those around them. Ye's I-Jing is busy and determined, struggling to make sense of what grown-ups do and say. Ma's tearaway I-Ann becomes the most provocative figure, discovering the impact of her fragmented life and rebellious nature. Tsai finds underlying emotion in Shu-Fen's struggle both with her business and home life, rejecting help from a nice guy (Huang) who truly likes her. And Chao's Grandma gets in trouble for running her own scam.

All of this plays out as a slice of life with bright colours, sparky people and engagingly messy situations. Because of old-world traditions like right-handedness and male-only inheritance, these women must think outside the box. And they need to learn how to be more sensitive to the needs of their friends and family. When repercussions of various actions become apparent, the people who rise to responsibility are unexpected. So where the story goes is painful, forcing people to accept awkward truths. But this is a remarkable celebration of the deeper connections that make life meaningful.

themes, language, sexuality

15.Nov.25

As before, Aatami never says a word, communicating to his faithful dog with nods. His determined face and earthy grunts express everything we need to know as he squares off for each new onslaught. Tommila vividly plays him as a man who has been through a lot and is unwilling to stop now, pushing through extreme pain to do what he has to. Lang's Igor is more of a sneering villain, arrogant and dangerously overconfident, but also just as unwilling to give up the fight.

Brisk and brief, the film keeps us thoroughly engaged through each set-piece, including whizzy aerial attacks and a skilfully choreographed sequence on a train that involves carriages of sleeping soldiers as well as an armed missile. Everything that happens is wildly over the top, while the underlying story is remarkably simple, following a man who needs to start his life over again. This adds some pathos to the rampaging carnage, while the underlying irony finds some nervy present-day parallels. But it's the gleeful grisliness that most viewers will remember.

themes, language, violence

12.Nov.25

Mariani and Frias are superbly natural as two young guys who are trying to avoid romance, even as they begin to realise that they're already too far gone. The actors have a loose physicality, often shirtless in the warm weather, always up for playful sex. They nicely underplay the bigger emotions that emerge along the way, which makes them easy to identify with. Giganti adds some nice textures of his own as Jero's straight-talking friend. He genuinely cares.

Jero can't understand how he fell in love with someone who could do something this cruel to him. And he becomes increasingly obsessive about finding the answer. Revelations and observations in these letters frequently remind Jero that not everything about love is laughter and happiness. They also help him see their time together through another perspective. And along the way, this enjoyable and moving film has insightful things to say about why relationships so often fail.

themes, language, sexuality

12.Nov.25