The real horror of Diaz’s film lies in its recognition of how meaningless all these conflicts are.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The real horror of Diaz’s film lies in its recognition of how meaningless all these conflicts are.

~ Jennie Kermode -

As we wander through the labyrinth we are drawn further and further into its trap, made ever more keenly aware of our own hunger for knowledge, for understanding.

~ Jennie Kermode -

As we wander through the labyrinth we are drawn further and further into its trap, made ever more keenly aware of our own hunger for knowledge, for understanding.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The idea of different things being in and out of focus for the various generations runs through a film that has sweetly comic moments and poignancy in equal measure.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The idea of different things being in and out of focus for the various generations runs through a film that has sweetly comic moments and poignancy in equal measure.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Intensity burns through almost every interaction

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Intensity burns through almost every interaction

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Rockwell’s realist style and sense of history helps keep the story engaging, but the real reward for the viewing comes in the emotional final act.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

Rockwell’s realist style and sense of history helps keep the story engaging, but the real reward for the viewing comes in the emotional final act.

~ Jeremy Mathews -

While the end result is important, Hùng’s film is all about savouring the moment, something that becomes more urgent as it progresses - although talk of speed has little place in a film that unfolds with the pace and beauty of a flower.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

While the end result is important, Hùng’s film is all about savouring the moment, something that becomes more urgent as it progresses - although talk of speed has little place in a film that unfolds with the pace and beauty of a flower.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

For lovers of anime, there are Easter eggs aplenty, including more than a few nods to the famed Ghibli studios.

~ Jane Fae -

For lovers of anime, there are Easter eggs aplenty, including more than a few nods to the famed Ghibli studios.

~ Jane Fae -

Part fantasy, part western, the film is exquisitely shot, the humid atmosphere of the island creating a degree of visual uncertainty to confound viewers further.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Part fantasy, part western, the film is exquisitely shot, the humid atmosphere of the island creating a degree of visual uncertainty to confound viewers further.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The only way to pull off a film like this is to approach it with absolute confidence. Jalmari Helander does a fantastic job.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The only way to pull off a film like this is to approach it with absolute confidence. Jalmari Helander does a fantastic job.

~ Jennie Kermode -

While attempting to describe the crux of Samsara is, essentially, as impossible as catching lightning in a jar, join me on a journey of imagination and we’ll give it a go.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

While attempting to describe the crux of Samsara is, essentially, as impossible as catching lightning in a jar, join me on a journey of imagination and we’ll give it a go.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It’s nice to see a film which problematises familiar, overly comfortable assumptions about the sociological response to new technologies, and which doesn’t insist that babies need to be thrown out with bathwater.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s nice to see a film which problematises familiar, overly comfortable assumptions about the sociological response to new technologies, and which doesn’t insist that babies need to be thrown out with bathwater.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It is an assured and relentless exposé.

~ Richard Mowe -

It is an assured and relentless exposé.

~ Richard Mowe -

The film brings home the enormity of the challenge that Cattaneo is up against, not just in terms of money for identification but regarding a general lack of political interest and will in seeing systems better connected.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The film brings home the enormity of the challenge that Cattaneo is up against, not just in terms of money for identification but regarding a general lack of political interest and will in seeing systems better connected.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An all-action spectacular with some smart ideas which sustains itself surprisingly well over a full two hours.

~ Jennie Kermode -

An all-action spectacular with some smart ideas which sustains itself surprisingly well over a full two hours.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Perpetrator heralds the joyous rising up of a regiment of monstrous women.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Perpetrator heralds the joyous rising up of a regiment of monstrous women.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The 4:3 format, preferred by Yasujirō Ozu, is the perfect frame for paying attention to the small mysteries that are often overlooked.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

The 4:3 format, preferred by Yasujirō Ozu, is the perfect frame for paying attention to the small mysteries that are often overlooked.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

To say too much about what happens in each episode would be to spoil the joy of encountering Song’s finely worked screenplay, which lets its characters' emotions glitter in the light.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

To say too much about what happens in each episode would be to spoil the joy of encountering Song’s finely worked screenplay, which lets its characters' emotions glitter in the light.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

One of the most subtle films of the ongoing year.

~ Levan Tskhovrebadze -

One of the most subtle films of the ongoing year.

~ Levan Tskhovrebadze -

Capturing the experience of living in a world where one’s gender doesn’t fit better than almost any other film to date, Preciado’s work is all about claiming space and present day narrative.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Capturing the experience of living in a world where one’s gender doesn’t fit better than almost any other film to date, Preciado’s work is all about claiming space and present day narrative.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s a tremendously challenging role, in which Maadi excels.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s a tremendously challenging role, in which Maadi excels.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The powerful forces of family and fable, old and new, intertwine and vie for supremacy in Belgian-Congolese director Baloji’s visually striking debut.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The powerful forces of family and fable, old and new, intertwine and vie for supremacy in Belgian-Congolese director Baloji’s visually striking debut.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Will anyone see this who wouldn't anyway?

~ Andrew Robertson -

Will anyone see this who wouldn't anyway?

~ Andrew Robertson -

At one point it seems “Panahi” could easily step from one country to the other, but as his film shows, leaving is not always an easy option.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

At one point it seems “Panahi” could easily step from one country to the other, but as his film shows, leaving is not always an easy option.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Everything about El Moudir’s film is unusual, from the structure to the mood.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Everything about El Moudir’s film is unusual, from the structure to the mood.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A beautifully constructed piece of work in which every detail serves the whole, putting the tools of the epic at the disposal of a story which is intimate and delicately realised.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A beautifully constructed piece of work in which every detail serves the whole, putting the tools of the epic at the disposal of a story which is intimate and delicately realised.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Using very simple props, Obasi constructs a whole world in this small coastal location.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Using very simple props, Obasi constructs a whole world in this small coastal location.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Luckich's love of silent comedy is everywhere.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Luckich's love of silent comedy is everywhere.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

This cinematic exploration, a manifestation of Christian bigotry, speculates with cinematic icons and religious imagery, laying bare the power-hungry clergy.

~ Levan Tskhovrebadze -

This cinematic exploration, a manifestation of Christian bigotry, speculates with cinematic icons and religious imagery, laying bare the power-hungry clergy.

~ Levan Tskhovrebadze -

Liubyi’s film succeeds in bringing home not just the enormity of the crash itself but of the scale of what was lost aboard.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Liubyi’s film succeeds in bringing home not just the enormity of the crash itself but of the scale of what was lost aboard.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

By the end you might not only ask yourself if someone is losing their marbles but whose marbles, in fact, are the ones that are being lost.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

By the end you might not only ask yourself if someone is losing their marbles but whose marbles, in fact, are the ones that are being lost.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There’s a freshness to this world, as if one had just stepped out of one’s own door and arrived in an unexpected place.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There’s a freshness to this world, as if one had just stepped out of one’s own door and arrived in an unexpected place.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A sort of soft-faced tyrany abounds.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A sort of soft-faced tyrany abounds.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The band’s music, written by rock star Andrzej Smolik is well-realised by the cast and generates a combative emotional undercurrent although whether quite so much of it is needed is debatable.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The band’s music, written by rock star Andrzej Smolik is well-realised by the cast and generates a combative emotional undercurrent although whether quite so much of it is needed is debatable.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Human Flowers Of Flesh is a film of spaces merging, physically in image, in thought, and of the senses.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Human Flowers Of Flesh is a film of spaces merging, physically in image, in thought, and of the senses.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Kordofani uses the greater intimacy offered by the camera to bring us close to the characters and reveal the complex layers of relationship developing between them.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Kordofani uses the greater intimacy offered by the camera to bring us close to the characters and reveal the complex layers of relationship developing between them.

~ Jennie Kermode -

In many ways Fremont is advocating the importance of accepting that a life can be both average and fulfilling.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

In many ways Fremont is advocating the importance of accepting that a life can be both average and fulfilling.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It is highly satisfying that this feature film about the history and cultural impact of photography - and, by extension, film and television - should be such a lovely example of the Reithian principles to “inform, educate and entertain”.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It is highly satisfying that this feature film about the history and cultural impact of photography - and, by extension, film and television - should be such a lovely example of the Reithian principles to “inform, educate and entertain”.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An amuse-bouche of a film, Aki Kaurismäki’s latest comedy romance may leave you wanting more but it’s also a fully rounded, good looking experience packed with all the flavours we’ve come to expect from the master of deadpan down the years.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An amuse-bouche of a film, Aki Kaurismäki’s latest comedy romance may leave you wanting more but it’s also a fully rounded, good looking experience packed with all the flavours we’ve come to expect from the master of deadpan down the years.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Karamizade is deft at capturing shifting moods.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Karamizade is deft at capturing shifting moods.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Perez manages the set-piece confrontations with precision and a nail-biting suspense.

~ Richard Mowe -

Perez manages the set-piece confrontations with precision and a nail-biting suspense.

~ Richard Mowe -

Moreno isn’t shy about his use of symbolism...What this effects to disguise, however, is the degree to which [the men's] own thinking has been shaped by symbols and by the belief system which surrounds them.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Moreno isn’t shy about his use of symbolism...What this effects to disguise, however, is the degree to which [the men's] own thinking has been shaped by symbols and by the belief system which surrounds them.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The narrative proceeds at a controlled pace set to a jangling score of percussion and chants, which is enough to set viewers on edge without the disturbing scenes of food being tentatively eaten and then disgorged.

~ Richard Mowe -

The narrative proceeds at a controlled pace set to a jangling score of percussion and chants, which is enough to set viewers on edge without the disturbing scenes of food being tentatively eaten and then disgorged.

~ Richard Mowe -

Rohrwacher’s visually eclectic style is well suited to exploring the contrasts between present and past, natural and artificial, poverty and wealth.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Rohrwacher’s visually eclectic style is well suited to exploring the contrasts between present and past, natural and artificial, poverty and wealth.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Beneath the intense lead performance and the minimalist but effective camera work, there is a rigid moral waiting to be unearthed.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

Beneath the intense lead performance and the minimalist but effective camera work, there is a rigid moral waiting to be unearthed.

~ Sergiu Inizian -

The unadorned observation of the physical aspects of the relationship in which middle-aged bodies are shown without artifice is one of the most hypnotic aspect of Naveriani’s vision.

~ Richard Mowe -

The unadorned observation of the physical aspects of the relationship in which middle-aged bodies are shown without artifice is one of the most hypnotic aspect of Naveriani’s vision.

~ Richard Mowe -

The aerial shots of the forest and the believable transformations with feathers, wings, beaks and claws as well as fish scales, make for riveting viewing.

~ Richard Mowe -

The aerial shots of the forest and the believable transformations with feathers, wings, beaks and claws as well as fish scales, make for riveting viewing.

~ Richard Mowe -

Pregnancy is often depicted as a state of enhanced vulnerability, and one which points the way to increased dependency. Here, Alaoui turns that around.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Pregnancy is often depicted as a state of enhanced vulnerability, and one which points the way to increased dependency. Here, Alaoui turns that around.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Hüller has always been an unfussy actress, who allows a character's flaws to shine out in interesting ways.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Hüller has always been an unfussy actress, who allows a character's flaws to shine out in interesting ways.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There is a lot going on here, but Gandini offers a breezy and thought-provoking ride

~ Amber Wilkinson -

There is a lot going on here, but Gandini offers a breezy and thought-provoking ride

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It’s the multiple layers of mystery – which have less to do with actual events than with what different characters are thinking – which make the film compelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s the multiple layers of mystery – which have less to do with actual events than with what different characters are thinking – which make the film compelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The delight of the drama stems from the well crafted characters, while its heft hinges on toxicity that may not be immediately obvious.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The script is lean, the sword edges keen and the characters mean.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

An extraordinarily thorough film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s the acting that carries it, and naturally Farahani, one of the finest talents of her generation, does not disappoint.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Subtle observations about the racism that underpins this superficially idyllic society pepper a film which repeatedly forces its hero to question his assumptions.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film concludes with what is probably the most influential special effect in the history of cinema.

~ Donald Munro -

Bethmann understands the situation well, but her closeness to the teenager and the personal character that the film takes on as a result is something else.

~ Jennie Kermode -

So carefully balanced is this that the film could almost have emerged as a romcom, and it’s that possibility, that clash between the absurdity that cinema has taught us to expect and the bitterness of real life, that makes it so effective.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Through the lens of the men’s romance, Onir takes in a good deal more, exploring the complex realities behind assumptions of prejudice and the myriad factors that go into making each of us who we are.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Throughout the film there is a sense of play, and even as the story evolves to take on darker material, something of that lightness, that happy-go-lucky quality remains.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The film hinges on amazing vocal work by Lalama.

~ Jennie Kermode -

There’s a genuine unpredictability to Honey Bunch, both structurally and thematically.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Where the episodes work is when they have a driving, kinetic energy about them. When they don't it's repetitious loop.

~ Donald Munro -

The film, directed by feature debutant Shaun Dozier, retains the density of dialogue you might expect from a stage play but, by leaning into the theatrical nature of the proceedings, Dozier is in some ways able to make this into a virtue.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A very effective piece of low budget storytelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Coogan is well cast in this tricky role, moving easily from humour to heartbreak..

~ Jennie Kermode -

Manizha Bakhtari may not be a household name but after watching Natalie Halla’s documentary you’re likely to think she ought to be.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Sung’s own camera plays tricks, placing objects too close in the foreground so that parts of an image are out of focus, like an incomplete memory.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The concept, narrative, dialogue, cinematography and action sequences are elements of Scanners that can't be faulted.

~ Donald Munro -

The film hangs on Pemberton’s performance, and he imbues Doug with a sweetness that makes us feel for him despite his deeply misguided actions.

~ Jennie Kermode -

The delight of the drama stems from the well crafted characters, while its heft hinges on toxicity that may not be immediately obvious.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A very effective piece of low budget storytelling.

~ Jennie Kermode -

An extraordinarily thorough film.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Writer/director Sandhya Suri - who has a documentary background - is keen to show that everyone plays their part in the prejudices and corruption of the legal system.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Once again, Guiraudie proves himself the master of setting up a mystery by the means of perfect script economy that functions strictly on “need to know” basis.

~ Marko Stojiljkovic -

The director shows how it’s not just Julie’s tennis skills that have been groomed by the coach but large aspects of her life.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Cat’s viewpoint predominates, and Zilbalodis has an acute understanding of how the world looks from its point of view, of what catches its attention and how its body follows instinctively.

~ Jennie Kermode -

It’s ironic that a film about a family who have built a perfect facsimile of a life for themselves should feel so overly constructed itself

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Lin and Sun studiously maintain the enigma around Shuo so that we are left guessing as to whether he’s just a disadvantaged teen trying to make his way in the world or a cuckoo in the nest.

~ Amber Wilkinson -