Film
Blu-ray Review: Odette
During World War II, the British set up the Special Operations Executive. This secretive organisation was established with the purpose of carrying out espionage, reconnaissance and sabotage in occupied Europe. Odette Sansom was a French-born British agent who was persuaded to join the SOE. She was awarded the George Cross for her contribution to the …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: The Revenge of the Diva
As Andy Warhol so presciently opined, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”. In today’s fast-paced world, a celebrity is soon forgotten. Even if their fame has lasted for many years, as soon as they drop out of the spotlight memories rapidly begin to fade. To go from the front page to …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Your Turn
Whilst in today’s enlightened society students often get tarnished as drunk, cannabis-smoking layabouts, there was a time in Europe when they were often seen as the group most likely to hold governments to account. One of the most famous examples was in France during the student strikes of 1968. However, in other areas of the …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Midnight Family
Featuring car chases, high jinks and life-threatening situations, Midnight Family is a fascinating glimpse into a morally ambiguous industry.
Incoming: Balloon
Balloon is a German thriller that deals with the crossing of the inner German border of the families Strelzyk and Wetzel from the GDR to West Germany with a homemade hot-air balloon. Balloon is out in cinemas from 14 June.
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Searching Eva
Long gone are the days when you actually had to know someone to get a glimpse into their lives. The internet has allowed us to share our everyday existence with people around the world, regardless of how mundane or exciting it is. The strangest thing is, there’s an audience out there for this kind of …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Hi, AI
The relationship between man and machine has always been a complex one. Humans seem to have an implicit need to create in our own image. Whilst at the same time, we’re profoundly suspicious that our designs will one day want to become our overlords. This love/hate relationship has been captured on the big screen many …
Blu-Ray Review: Escape Room
Humans love a good conundrum. Whether it’s the Sunday Times crossword or taking part in one of the myriad ‘escape rooms’ which have shot up around the world, there’s something compelling about being intellectually challenged. The enduring popularity of The Crystal Maze and Countdown demonstrate we’re keen voyeurs as well. On the big screen, the …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: A Wild Stream
Today, time seems to fly by in a dazzling haze. There’s so much going on around us and life moves as such a fast pace that it’s easy to forget to stop and breathe every now and then. The modern workplace can be a high pressured and stressful environment. Some people chose to leave the …
Sheffield Doc/Fest Review: Once Aurora
The music industry is a brutal place. Whilst the rise of Youtube, Instagram and other social media provided another route to stardom, the same exploitative industry system of managers and agents still remains. Artists have stark choices to make between controlling their musical direction and being able to eat. Landing a contract can be akin …