Four Daughters: Actors and real people re-enact the past to understand why two daughters left Tunisia to fight for IS in Syria, leaving the rest of the family behind. It was sometimes difficult to be sure if an actor or the real person was providing the dialogue. Although in the end I do not think it makes a difference. There is real warmth, sadness, anger and tension in this excellent docudrama. The acting is excellent, camera work keeps you engrossed and lighting makes the sets seem real. The performers and real figures are interviewed together, and then scenes are played out, with the mother coming on to say where they’re going wrong. Director, Ben Hania seems to have embarked on this process with an open mind, having no clear idea what light this approach would shed on the case. It makes for an interesting approach. I gave it a 4/5. Tunisia’s submission for Oscars 2024
Hypnosis:–Although there is some incidences of good huymor in this “satire”, overall I found the film boring. Acting was decent as was the camerawork but nothing that grabs you. I gave it a 3.
Solitude: – I am not going to waste much space on this one other than to tell you I gave it a 2. Photography was weak. Plot was uneven.
The Taste of Things: – Chosen by France as its entry for the 2024 Oscars (Best International Film) this film is absolutely delightful. It got a 5 on my scorecard. In my opinion this is Juliette Binoche’s best performance in a decade, even topping L’Attesa (2015). Both she and Benoit Magimel should earn Oscar acting nominations. Joining the superb acting is first time film actress Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire. The camerawork was really special. In one scene showing the preparation of multiple dishes for a gourmet meal, the hand held camera created the fast paced fury packed dance that such kitchens experience. The viewer is right on top of it and can almost taste and smell ther foods. When focusing on the actors, cinematographer Jonathan Ricquebourg makes them each shine while showing their emotions. I could go on and on. My one criticism would be that at times the scenes were poorly lit so that one could barely discern the characters. But, suffice to say “See it as soon as you can” (Oscar qualifying run in December and general U.S. release Feb. 9, 2024)
Goodbye Julia 5/5 A Sudanese film hits the big time. Many themes are played out in this film-a history lesson, the class, ethnic and religious differences in Khartoum at the time, a friendship of two women from different financialand religious levels, a morality play, and more. Acting was top notch, plot keeps the viewer in suspense waiting for the “bomb to drop” and it slowly develops in to a beautiful film.
Pictures of Ghosts A disaster on all levels. Stay home.
The Teachers Lounge 5/5 Another film to see as soon as it is released. Leonie Benesch carries this film so strongly. She should also be an Oscar contender but I fear will get overlooked. Germany’s submission for Best International Film this is a gripping presentation which intentionally ends with no resolution. The colors and lighting dim as the story intensifies but the editing stays smooth. I do not want to give out any spoilers so I will stop here.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.