Government sponsored witches

I Am Not a Witch (2017)

Written & directed by Rungano Nyoni this film stars Maggie Mulubwa and Dyna Mufuni. An orphaned girl in Zambia is accused of being a witch.

This is a completely bizarre film but seemingly based in realistic treatment of supposed witches in some countries in Africa. At times the treatment of witches seems like a metaphor for the treatment of women in a patriarchal society. The clash of modern and ancient leaves you scratching your head.

4/5

I'd seen the sequel first

Tanu Weds Manu (2011)

Directed by Aanand L. Rai this film stars R. Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut and Jimmy Sheirgill. An Indian doctor that has been living in London returns to Delhi and falls in love with a feisty young woman that has no interest in marrying him.

For anyone that has seen at least a few Indian films there are a ton of familiar elements to the plot of this film. The plot works well enough but is nothing special really, this is not the best clash between traditional Indian values and modern views on love that you will find. Enjoyable enough but not worth seeking out.

3/5

Just standing and syncing

Felix Mayol Performs “White Lilacs” (1905)

Directed by Alice Guy-Blache this is an early short film staring Felix Mayol. Felix Mayol lip syncs to a recorded performance.

Another simple lip sync film from Alice Guy-Blache. The film consists of a single, unmoving shot and a star that does not move around the screen much. There is not a lot going on on the screen but this is still a decent example of lip syncing from an early period.

3/5

No heart, metal or otheriwse

Metal Heart (2018)

Directed by Hugh O'Conor this film stars Jordanne Jones, Leah McNamara, Aaron Heffernan and Sean Doyle. Two eighteen year old fraternal twin sisters are left alone for the summer by their parents.

Coming of age drama with nothing to bring to the party. The plot is obvious and pretty mind numbing in places. Unfortunately this is not the best Irish cinema has to offer.

2/5

Wrong focus

3 Generations (2015)

Directed by Gaby Dellal this film stars Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon. After the 16 year old of the family comes out as a transman the older generations struggle to deal with change.

There is a line in the film where the protagonist says “stop making my problems your problems” which kind of sums up the film, I would much rather have seen more about the protagonist and less about the family. I suppose this is not a bad watch but it totally missed the more relevant parts in my opinion. A talented cast but a better script is needed.

3/5

Lost love

Kapurush (1965)

Written & directed by Satyajit Ray this film based on “Janaiko Kapuruser Kahini” stars Soumitra Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee and Haradhan Bandopadhyay. A writer stranded on his journey finds the man he is invited to stay with is married to his long lost love.

Short and simple this film still manages to pack a good punch into simple proceedings. The plot is a classic tale of love and regret that does not over do the sentimentality. I really liked the ending which could be straight out of The Third Man (1949).

4/5

Dance, dance no revolution

Saharet Performs the Bolero (1905)

Directed by Alice Guy-Blache this is an early short film. We see several people perform a dance.

With some nice costumes and set dressing this is a pretty well staged dance piece with colour tinting that really brings the images alive. In terms of being ground breaking cinema there might not be a huge amount going on but this is still a decent watch. As with many of Guy-Blache's films of the period this is just a single, unmoving shot.

3/5