“Focusing on a group from Osaka rather than Tokyo unveils a more nuanced reality of the industry, offering a look from the outside.”
“As we take for granted the ease of our own native tongue, we are perhaps ignoring its full potential.”
“‘Manchester by the Sea’ advocates for change in a movie where nobody can.”
“Portman’s vivid portrayal is the film’s greatest strength, coasting through woebegone New England accents and the script’s on-the-nose airing of themes in the final act.”
“In some ways, Oskouei’s involvement can be construed as invasive, but it feels integral.”
“What makes someone a great artist before they’ve made any great works of art? That becomes the central question and object of scrutiny at the heart of ‘Le concours,’ making it one of the most compelling examinations of auteur driven cinema.”
“‘Brothers of the Night’ takes an unexpected approach and reveals hidden parts of life amongst Bulgarian male hustlers in Vienna.”
“In ‘Aquarius,’ memories — of places, moments, music and lovers — balance imminent struggles to live well.”
“‘A Quiet Passion’ is at its best when its silence is broken by images, not words.”
“There is no right way to negotiate these expectations, and no way to outrun them: they simply exist as a part of life.”