When it comes to sharp but meaningful satire, few writers were more adept at capturing the social and cultural milieu more than Marcel Pagnol. As both a playwright and filmmaker, he is responsible for several of the most important texts in the history of French literature, being an influential artistic force in both theatre and…
Tag: movie-review
Love Hurts (2025)
We all carry remnants of our past, which we tend to prefer to keep hidden, at least to a certain extent – but the bigger the secret, the more challenging it is to conceal it, which can often lead to complications when the truth is unearthed, especially when they relate to more morally questionable aspects…
Companion (2025)
We all yearn for perfection in some form or the other – whether it is related to ourselves or someone else close to us, there is something very appealing about the prospect of meeting the ideal, regardless of the cost or consequences. In his ambitious directorial debut, Drew Hancock uses it as the foundation for…
September 5 (2024)
On the 5th of September in 1972, the world was glued to their television screens, since it was the first live broadcast of the Olympic Games, which were taking place in Munich, and which was perhaps the most publicized games up until that point (there is an argument to be made for the previous time…
Stir Crazy (1980)
It says quite a bit about Sidney Poitier’s reputation that upon watching Stir Crazy, the words “directed by Sidney Poitier” come as a genuine surprise, and even for those of us who knew that the esteemed actor and Hollywood icon was at the helm, it’s still difficult to believe. This isn’t a statement on his…
The Amateur (2025)
Revenge certainly is a dish best served cold – there have been countless works across every conceivable artistic medium about the idea of seeking those who wronged you in an effort to force them to pay for their wrongdoing. Entire sub-genres have been created on this topic, and it has been one of those universally…
Grand Hotel (1932)
One of the more unexpectedly compelling aspects of travelling is the chance to encounter people from all walks of life, and even without interacting with them directly, we are able to observe a brief moment in their lives. The experience of sitting in a hotel lobby and quietly watching the people passing by, taking note…
Baan (2024)
Where is home? Perhaps a more interesting question is what is it about a specific place that leads it to earn such a label, whether it is for an individual or a wider group of people? In her second feature directorial outing (following her well-received Ashore a few years ago), Leonor Teles, who had previously…
Gothika (2003)
We all fear to become what we criticise – it’s an inherent anxiety embedded deep in our consciousness, a desire to acknowledge those who pose danger in order to prevent ever becoming akin to them in any way. It’s a philosophical concept that has been explored often in both fiction and documentary works, and bears…
Our Teacher Jabish (1969)
The continued endeavour to explore global cinema, particularly looking at films that contain some sense of comedy, has opened entirely new avenues of artistic expression, and provided some fascinating insights into how different cultures at various points in history tell their stories on screen. Azerbaijan has a solid cinematic culture, albeit one that is mostly…
The Postmodern Pelican 