Master Gardener
dir-scr Paul Schrader; with Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver 22/US ***
With his usual provocations about accepted morality, Paul Schrader heads to the Deep South for an intriguing drama that plays with a range big ideas while remaining tantalisingly out of reach. The characters are complex and full of their own private secrets, which creates a sense of mystery as the plot dabbles with the elements of a thriller. But this leaves the film feeling eerily incomplete, simply because the people remain so opaque.
With his usual provocations about accepted morality, Paul Schrader heads to the Deep South for an intriguing drama that plays with a range big ideas while remaining tantalisingly out of reach. The characters are complex and full of their own private secrets, which creates a sense of mystery as the plot dabbles with the elements of a thriller. But this leaves the film feeling eerily incomplete, simply because the people remain so opaque.
dir Santiago Mitre; with Ricardo Darin, Peter Lanzani 22/Arg ****
Including a heavy dose of sharp humour in the screenplay helps make this rather momentous true story unusually accessible. So while it hinges on a procedural investigation and historical courtroom trial, director-cowriter Santiago Mitre continually reveals the humanity of the characters, pulling us in deeper. The case itself is harrowing, a landmark moment when a military dictatorship went on trial for its horrific crimes against the people.
Including a heavy dose of sharp humour in the screenplay helps make this rather momentous true story unusually accessible. So while it hinges on a procedural investigation and historical courtroom trial, director-cowriter Santiago Mitre continually reveals the humanity of the characters, pulling us in deeper. The case itself is harrowing, a landmark moment when a military dictatorship went on trial for its horrific crimes against the people.
dir Cristina Grosan; with Tatjana Medvecka, Nora Klimesova 22/Cz ****
Set in the very near future, this Czech drama will be instantly identifiable to anyone who feels like they are barely hanging on amid the varied pressures in their lives. And in this case, the world literally is collapsing around the characters. With Klara Vlasakova's insightful satirical script and Cristina Grosan's glacially sharp directing, the film quietly provokes the audience with a series of injustices, deliberate and accidental. All of this combines gorgeously to create a riveting story that has an important, timely and deeply moving impact.
Set in the very near future, this Czech drama will be instantly identifiable to anyone who feels like they are barely hanging on amid the varied pressures in their lives. And in this case, the world literally is collapsing around the characters. With Klara Vlasakova's insightful satirical script and Cristina Grosan's glacially sharp directing, the film quietly provokes the audience with a series of injustices, deliberate and accidental. All of this combines gorgeously to create a riveting story that has an important, timely and deeply moving impact.
dir-scr David Wagner; with Gerhard Liebmann, Luka Dimic 22/Aut ***.
Based on true events, this Austrian drama traces an unexpected relationship between two men at a military service boot camp. Filmmaker David Wagner traces the narrative with remarkable focus, avoiding distracting subplots to bring out details and intimate feelings. It may seem a little simplistic, but it's fascinating to see a story like this in a place where men have to be tough, without emotions or weaknesses. And later, when power and bravado begin to shift, this becomes an inspiring exploration of honesty, resilience and tenacity.
Based on true events, this Austrian drama traces an unexpected relationship between two men at a military service boot camp. Filmmaker David Wagner traces the narrative with remarkable focus, avoiding distracting subplots to bring out details and intimate feelings. It may seem a little simplistic, but it's fascinating to see a story like this in a place where men have to be tough, without emotions or weaknesses. And later, when power and bravado begin to shift, this becomes an inspiring exploration of honesty, resilience and tenacity.
Full reviews will be linked at Shadows VENICE FILM FESTIVAL page, eventually!
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