"All That’s Left of You" explores the lives of three
generations of a Palestinian family from 1948 – 2022. Written, acted, and
directed by Cherien Dabis, the film is a poignant, epic saga that won both the
festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and the Global Visions
Award. Nothing about this film left us wanting, and we can’t wait to see it
again when it’s more widely available.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=all+that%E2%80%99s+left+of+you+film
Two films reveal the horrors experienced victims of Assad’s Syrian prison
system. The topic is horrifying, but like “All That’s Left of You,” the artistry
and intelligence with which the filmmakers treat the subject matter leave one
exhilarated instead of dispirited:
"Ghost Trail" is a thriller sensitively
detailing the progress of a survivor tracking down the scientist who cruelly
tortured him and others. His mission is somewhat complicated when the man, now
living a “normal” life in France, but also scarred by his own actions, tries to
befriend him, not knowing their history together.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=ghost+trail
"Xoftex" is an
experimental fever dream that takes place in a fictional Syrian refugee camp in
Greece, where a pair of brothers fantasize about living a better life in Europe
as they wait for their asylum papers to come through. Somehow, the director
injects episodes of humor into the proceedings.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=Xoftex
“Harvest” by Greek
filmmaker Athina Tsangari (who held an enlightening Q&A after the screening) is
set in Scotland during the Middle Ages, but could really take place just about
anywhere at any time. A small, sleepy farming village is rudely awakened when a
cruel relative of the owner seizes control in order to displace all the
residents and replace the farm with a more profitable sheep ranch. Ah, progress. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=athina+tsangari+harvest
“The Botanist” is a bucolic coming of age reverie about a Kazakh boy whose
calling in life is collecting and identifying plant specimens. His young friend
accompanies him on many of his outings, and their puppy love seems destined to
evolve into the two spending the rest of their lives together. That is, until
the onset of natural gas mining renders their village obsolete, and her parents
take her to live in a big city. Ah, progress! https://bampfa.org/event/botanist
“Happyend” is a Japanese high school pre-graduation flick set in the “near
future” that kicks off with high jinks reminiscent of “American Graffiti” and
“Hollywood Knights,” but frolicking gives way to political action and
soul-searching when draconian surveillance cameras mirror the country’s gradual
slide into totalitarianism.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=Happyend
“That Summer In Paris” follows Blandine as she travels from Normandy to watch her favorite
swimmer compete at the Paris Olympics. She’s a bit awkward and fails to navigate
all the hoops required to enter the events. She even gets kicked out of the
hostel on her birthday when that changes her status to become one day too old to
stay there! She goes to crash with her estranged half sister, who is far from
welcoming, but she does bond with her young niece. She meets a friendly
electrician who keeps her company, and a series of misadventures help her
realize her worth and the strength she’s built living through them. Writer/
director Valentine Cadic was on hand for an illuminating Q&A after the
screening.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=that+summer+in+paris+film
“Hot Milk” takes place at the Spanish seaside (though actually shot in Greece)
where Sofia accompanies her cantankerous mother, Rose, who’s being treated for a
mysterious illness. Trapped by her mother’s immobility until now, she’s
distressed when Rose threatens to quit treatment altogether. But a free-spirited
woman at the beach helps Sofia to shed her inhibitions, leading to a sizzling
sexual awakening. She then makes a startling decision that could serve as a
springboard to a fulfilling life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tGonuEcOq4
Two incredible documentaries about creative women rounded things out:
“Vivien’s Wild Ride” stars and is written & directed by storied Bay Area film and sound
editor Vivien Hillgrove, (Henry & June, Blue Velvet, Amadeaus) which tells the
story of how she remarkably reinvented herself after losing her sight. She
originally intended to write a book for the daughter she was forced to give up
for adoption in 1964, but instead wound up making her directorial debut
brilliantly detailing her sight loss and the touching reunion with her daughter.
https://www.mufilms.org/films/viviens-wild-ride/
“Blue Road” is a stunning doc
about groundbreaking author and socialite Edna O’Brien featuring excerpts from
her diaries read by Jessie Buckley and interviews with her and other notables.
“Like Vivien’s Wild Ride”, this one not only reveals a truly remarkable life
story, but enchants us with superb filmmaking. It led me to go pick up some of
her books. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=blue+road
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