Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Radio Kobanî
Documentaries set in the midst of conflict or in former war zones are almost always concerned with the roles of the victors and the vanquished, the soldiers or the survivors. They often neglect those human stories which aren’t just purely about survival, but predominantly re-building lives from the rubble. Radio Kobanî is one such tale. …
Blu-Ray Review: Daughters of the Dust
Tales of the future and the past, of traditions and progress, have long fascinated film-makers. In America, much of Afro-Caribbean culture and history stems from slavery. Cinema has focussed mainly on this period. However, there’s so much more which often gets left uncovered. African traditions were carried by boat to the New World. In isolated …
Incoming: The Book of Henry
Sometimes things are not always what they seem, especially in the small suburban town where the Carpenter family lives. Single suburban mother Susan Carpenter (Naomi Watts) works as a waitress at a diner, alongside feisty family friend Sheila (Sarah Silverman). Her younger son Peter (Jacob Tremblay) is a playful 8-year-old. Taking care of everyone and …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: The Departure
Whilst there’s still a distinct gender imbalance in cinema, particularly behind the camera in big budget movies, things are slightly more balanced in documentary film-making. Indeed, the likes of Laura Poitras, Louise Osmond, Barbara Kopple and Amy Berg are amongst the best in the industry. Lana Wilson is a rapidly rising star. Her (co) directorial …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Brimstone & Glory
Documentaries are often stigmatised as being dry, overly-dependent on factual information and nothing more than something you’d watch on TV. Obviously, that opinion is nonsense, but it’s fair to say that some factual films aren’t the most visually appealing. However, there are many documentaries which are absolutely beautiful. Brimstone & Glory falls into this category. …
Incoming: Churchill
May 23rd, 1944: as tensions mount in the 48-hours preceding D-Day, the now-beleaguered Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Brian Cox) must prepare a final attempt to crush Hitler’s encroaching army. With the entire War effort ultimately hinging on this decision, the stakes have never been higher. As the Wartime leader clashes with his generals, tension builds …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Risk
Laura Poitras is one of the most highly regarded and respected documentary film makers working today. She’s also one of the most hard-working. No stranger to controversy, her last film about Edward Snowdon, Citizenfour, won her an Academy Award. Along with My Country, My Country and The Oath, it was the third film in her …
Blu-Ray Review: Death in the Garden (Masters of Cinema)
Luis Buñuel is arguably the most influential and innovative Spanish director ever to work in cinema. The father of surrealism, he made films in France, Spain, Mexico and the USA. Working with Salvador Dali, he released his first short (Un Chien Andalou) in 1929. His last feature was That Obscure Object of Desire in 1977. …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Icarus
Cycling has always had an iffy reputation in terms of doping, but the admission by Lance Armstrong that he took performance enhancing drugs throughout his career jeopardised the credibility of the sport. There have been several films made about his downfall, but Icarus approaches the scandal from a different angle. Director Bryan Fogel sets out …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Wilders
The last decade has seen a worrying trend in Western politics. The rise in popularity of right wing political parties and politicians culminated with Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in 2016. However, all across Europe there has been huge gains for nationalistic and fascistic groups. Whilst the likes of Marine Le Pen in …