Raindance: Give us a kiss

The 29th Raindance Film Festival continues to play out around London, showcasing a wide range of truly independent films from around the world. I've mainly been watching virtually this year, although I hope to attend some screenings in-person over the coming days if possible. In the meantime, here are some more highlights...

Miguel's War
dir-scr-prd Eliane Raheb; with Miguel Jelelaty, Eliane Raheb 21/Leb ****
Relentlessly inventive, this lively and often very funny documentary is a snappy portrait of a man who finally feels ready to accept his roots, which stretch in a range of directions. Filmmaker Eliane Raheb cleverly uses interviews, archive footage, hilarious reenactments and animation to reflect Miguel Jelelaty's enormous personality and fascinating journey through life. With constantly surprising touches, the film is hugely entertaining, and powerfully involving too.

A Bird Flew In
dir Kirsty Bell; with Jeff Fahey, Kirsty Bell 21/UK ***.
With a gentle tone that mixes in humour and emotion, this British drama tells several inter-connected lockdown stories. Shot in striking black and white, the film looks great and features a fine eclectic cast. Many scenes are heightened with a poetic sensibility, which adds an artistic touch that's more deliberate and sometimes feels indulgent. But the situations depicted have an involving quality that is easy to identify with.

Listen
dir Ana Rocha De Sousa; with Lucia Moniz, Sophia Myles 20/Por ****
Quietly observational, this astute London-set drama captures the situation for people who are squeezed by a system that claims to offer help but is actually making life horrifically difficult. Director Ana Rocha De Sousa tells the story unflinchingly, allowing the audience to vividly see both the truth and the injustice. And the situation that plays out is utterly unthinkable. So the film carries a powerfully emotional gut punch.

In the Mirror
dir-scr Laila Pakalnina; with Madlena Valdberga, Elza Leimane 20/Lat ***.
With characters filming themselves selfie-style, this black-and-white Latvian satire gives the Snow White fairy tail a snappy spin. The film is a riot of witty touches, played in a deadpan style that never goes for the obvious laugh. Indeed, much of the film is silent, framing social media-style clips as old-time movie scenes. Much of this is properly nuts, so even if the pacing feels uneven, it's always entertaining.

Full reviews of festival films will be linked at Shadows' RAINDANCE HOMEPAGE 
For full festival information, visit RAINDANCE FILM FEST