The Soderbergh of the Sticks: Mickey Reece and the Prehistory of Every Heavy Thing
By Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. I don't particularly believe in the idea of working around a proven formula, so I tend to
By Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. I don't particularly believe in the idea of working around a proven formula, so I tend to
By Ali Moosavi. To me this is human nature.... It's knowing the roots of things, knowing the history of things.
A Book Review by Ali Moosavi. An illuminating and loving portrait, packed with fascinating behind-the-scenes details...." I first came across Jonathan Demme’s name at college, when I watched Citizens Band
By William Blick. Despite some tedium, well worth viewing as a quiet study in both resignation and defiance." More of a visual essay or poem, Alexandra Simpson’s independent film, No
A Book Review by Maysaa H. Jaber. Adds a human, sometimes tragic face to those at the heart of moviemaking during the Golden Age." Laura Wagner’s Hollywood Boozers, Brawlers and
A Book Review Essay by Jeremy Carr. A well-researched work of personal scholarship, with an array of sources and citations utilized to substantiate D. Harlan Wilson’s own arguments or to
A Book Review Essay by Andrew Kolarik. makes the case that an understanding of modernist authors’ relationship to cinema might allow their works to be read in a different light...."
A Book Review Essay by Johannes Schönherr. German scholar Marie Sophie Beckmann discusses inherent contradictions of the 'spilling' of the films into other art forms as well as the 'spilling'
By Jenny Paola Ortega Castillo. The narrative may seem like a raw and harsh retelling of the artist’s story; however, Frida’s numerous illnesses are handled with the utmost respect throughout
By William Blick. A slow burn that simmers into a boil... a compelling exploration of antisemitism and miscarriage of justice...." Roman Polanski’s 2019 political thriller An Officer and a Spy,
By Jonathan Monovich. On selections from the Snapshots (works showcasing the diversity of contemporary global cinema), Spotlight (award-winners and critical favorites), and New Directors Competition (U.S. premieres from emerging talents and new voices in international cinema)…. This year marked the 61st Chicago International Film Festival, featuring appearances by some of […]
By James Slaymaker. The Rehearsal embodies the three core characteristics of the essay film as outlined by Rascaroli: it is a hybrid form, crossing genre boundaries and destabilising the line between ‘fiction’ and ‘non–fiction’; it is highly self–reflexive, constantly encouraging the viewer to consider the construction of its own images […]
By Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. I don’t particularly believe in the idea of working around a proven formula, so I tend to start where a horror movie would and end up in another direction almost subconsciously.” —Mickey Reece Even in the context of the often radically elastic parameters of independent filmmaking, Mickey […]
By Yun-hua Chen. Showcasing restored films that are over 20 years old, the festival embraces the entire arc of cinematic history….” Now in its eighth year, the Budapest Classics Film Marathon showcases restored films that are over 20 years old. The festival embraces the entire arc of cinematic history—from the […]
A Book Review by Ali Moosavi. An illuminating and loving portrait, packed with fascinating behind-the-scenes details….” I first came across Jonathan Demme’s name at college, when I watched Citizens Band (1977) at our local arts movie theatre. I thought this is a true quality independent picture. A few years later […]
By Ali Moosavi. To me this is human nature…. It’s knowing the roots of things, knowing the history of things. It doesn’t erase the pain but that’s how to face the world: with empathy.” —Alireza Khatami Next year’s Oscars mark a unique achievement for Iranian directors. No less than four […]
By Indya J. Jackson. Ultimately [through the depiction of failed mothers] Singleton replicates the anti-Black, anti-poor, and misogynistic rhetoric of neoliberal reformists by embedding a definite preference for fathers and the heteropatriarchal family structure within his films.” After Boyz N the Hood (1991) launched John Singleton into rarefied air, he […]
By M. Sellers Johnson. When I approached Idris (Elba to direct), I wanted to tell a story that was embedded in music and had music as a character; as well as, a relatable story that would deal with the dynamics of family, Lagos being a character itself….” –Producer Mo Abudu […]
By William Blick. The country’s journalists – local or national – are working for all of us. They are our soldiers. And we need to support them.” Rick Goldsmith’s Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink is the third installment in a trilogy of documentaries by Goldsmith about American journalism. It appears […]
By Jonathan Monovich. When I do commentaries now, I find myself examining films on a more forensic level, responding to individual scenes and shots and taking them apart. My rule with commentaries is that I need to learn something, and I need to know more coming out than I did […]