This cozy Irish documentary by Gar O’Rourke (Sanatorium (2025)) about the over tourism of the Cinque Terre sits with me slightly uncomfortably as I have been one of those tourists.
Continue readingThe Siege of Paradise (2026)
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Saló, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)
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Pier Paolo Pasolini’s infamous film is one of those that looms large in film studies class. Like L’Age d’Or (1930) and Un Chien Andalou (1929), this was talked about as the most depraved film ever made. The one that couldn’t be shown in so many countries.
Continue readingThere’s Still Tomorrow (C’è Ancora Domani) (2023)
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I chose this Italian film festival film almost at random, based on the session time and the fact that it was black-and-white. It was absolutely delightful.
Continue readingThe Damned (2024)
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La Chimera (2023)
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The Eight Mountains (Le Otto Montagne)(2022)
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Even though this is a very intimate story of friendship, it feels epic in scale and rich in detail, set against a glorious backdrop of Alpine mountains.
Continue readingThe Macaluso Sisters (Le Sorelle Macaluso) (2020)
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Emma Dante has created a beautiful and affecting film version of her play about five Sicilian sisters, forever changed by a tragedy.
Continue readingSeven Beauties (Pasqualino Settebellezze) (1975)
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Image via miff.com.au
This is a tough film to watch. Lina Wertmüller’s caustic satire can’t help but discomfit an audience fooled by its initial comedy. Continue reading
VR: Denoise (Short) (2017)
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An interesting journey through sites of industry – metal crushers, freight ships, oil wells – with people who work there speaking of their relationships with sound and silence. Marred by the noise coming from the venue foyer, it was nevertheless an interesting experience but not as visually pleasing as the above image.
Fire at Sea (Fuocoammare) (2016)
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Image via http://www.youtube.com
This stunningly crafted documentary, ostensibly about the European refugee crisis, won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Without narration, context nor exposition other than a few paragraphs before it starts, the film juxtaposes the quiet life of the inhabitants of the island of Lampedusa with the horrific plight of those attempting to cross from Africa to Europe. Continue reading
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