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…
Tag: reviews
Welcome to Sarajevo (1997)
A brief word of warning, or perhaps just a cautionary tale – if you find yourself on the eve of travelling to a specific city, and decide that it would be a good opportunity to watch one of the most famous films set in that particular location in the hopes of getting a better understanding…
There Was a Father (1942)
No one would weave a story together quite like Yasujirō Ozu, a filmmaker whose work I have proven to be a strict adherent to, and who continues to surprise me the further I venture into his career, which is brimming with unimpeachable masterpieces and hidden gems. The subject of today’s discussion occupies the latter category,…
Willard (2003)
In a world with over eight billion people, some are just born to be alone, and whether solitary by choice or through circumstances, it can tell us a lot about the human condition when we set out to observe the daily lives of these individuals. In his fascinating novel Ratman’s Notebooks, Stephen Gilbert tells the…
The Dig (2021)
There isn’t any “one size fits all” approach to making your way through life – everyone is on their own journey, and tends to be given specific opportunities to better their situation or blessings that help them achieve something that separates them from the rest of society. In many cases, these tend to be concealed,…
When Fall Is Coming (2025)
There’s nothing quite like a mother’s love for her children – and in his most recent directorial outing, François Ozon explores this concept (which he has touched on in the past, making it one of his more frequent themes) by way of When Fall Is Coming (French: Quand vient l’automne), a film that follows Michelle,…
The Dresser (2015)
“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women are merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts” Starting a discussion on a film with a quote by William Shakespeare (as well as possibly his most famous piece of writing, or at least…
Crossing Delancey (1988)
Some people believe in fate, whereas others see it as merely thinly-veiled faith in some higher power that seemingly has a plan for all of us, an idea that has been increasingly viewed with incredulity as time has progressed. However, there’s something quite appealing about putting all your trust in something that we cannot see…
Novocaine (2025)
I remember seeing a sign on a gymnasium wall that said “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”, which is a quote by acclaimed author Haruki Murakami (who may find it fascinating that one of his quips has found such an unconventional home, albeit where it is slightly taken out of context), and it’s something that…
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
“Hollywood: the only place in the world where a man gets stabbed in the back while climbing a ladder.” William Faulkner, one of the greatest novelists and social critics to ever put pen to paper, famously said this on the subject of the film industry, which he had some experience with as a screenwriter, but…
The Postmodern Pelican 