Another one that’s not necessarily perfect, (something awry with the middle section that I couldn’t quite put my finger on) but was ultimately very moving. Debutante Park Ji-Min is a force to be reckoned with. Currently available to stream in the US on Prime Video, and in the UK on Mubi.
Roter Himmel / Afire (dir Christian Petzold)
You didn’t expect me to not include the year’s Petzold film? I’m not sure it’s his best work, but I do want to revisit to get the nuances I’m sure I missed. So funny that Petzold, who manages to have water feature in most of his films (even this one called ‘Afire’ in English) has one of his characters say disparagingly ‘Water isn’t a theme”. I beg to differ, Christian, I beg to differ. Currently available to stream in the US on The Criterion Channel, and to rent on various platforms in the UK.
A sad, gentle look at rural Irish life in the 1970s, a place where being an outsider can take many forms. That They May Face the Rising Sun never attempts to resolve everyone’s issues, but merely acknowledges that farming, the seasons, life, all continue day after day, and we deal with everything the best we can. It’s a beautiful film visually, but also emotionally, and its gentleness hides great sadness.
The arrogance of colonisers, particularly those driven by their religious beliefs, meets the might of nature head-on, and there is only ever going to be one victor in the battle. Coming in at 143 minutes long and deliberately slow-paced with dialogue at a minimum (the language barrier between Danish and Icelandic speakers is yet another divisive issue for the protagonists). But it earns this run-time with its contemplation of humanity’s place in the world and the best-looking cinematography this year. Currently available to stream in the US on The Criterion Channel, and in the UK on BFI Player.
Retour à Séoul / Return to Seoul (dir Davy Chou)
Another one that’s not necessarily perfect, (something awry with the middle section that I couldn’t quite put my finger on) but was ultimately very moving. Debutante Park Ji-Min is a force to be reckoned with. Currently available to stream in the US on Prime Video, and in the UK on Mubi.
Roter Himmel / Afire (dir Christian Petzold)
You didn’t expect me to not include the year’s Petzold film? I’m not sure it’s his best work, but I do want to revisit to get the nuances I’m sure I missed. So funny that Petzold, who manages to have water feature in most of his films (even this one called ‘Afire’ in English) has one of his characters say disparagingly ‘Water isn’t a theme”. I beg to differ, Christian, I beg to differ. Currently available to stream in the US on The Criterion Channel, and to rent on various platforms in the UK.
That They May Face the Rising Sun (dir Pat Collins)
A sad, gentle look at rural Irish life in the 1970s, a place where being an outsider can take many forms. That They May Face the Rising Sun never attempts to resolve everyone’s issues, but merely acknowledges that farming, the seasons, life, all continue day after day, and we deal with everything the best we can. It’s a beautiful film visually, but also emotionally, and its gentleness hides great sadness.
Vanskabte land / Godland (dir Hlynur Pálmason)
The arrogance of colonisers, particularly those driven by their religious beliefs, meets the might of nature head-on, and there is only ever going to be one victor in the battle. Coming in at 143 minutes long and deliberately slow-paced with dialogue at a minimum (the language barrier between Danish and Icelandic speakers is yet another divisive issue for the protagonists). But it earns this run-time with its contemplation of humanity’s place in the world and the best-looking cinematography this year. Currently available to stream in the US on The Criterion Channel, and in the UK on BFI Player.
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