Sundance 40 Review: Haley Elizabeth Anderson’s “Tendaberry” is a Sacred Portrait of Personal Memory
Haley Elizabeth Anderson’s feature debut, “Tendaberry,” is a narrative document on change. Dakota (Kota Johan) is a 23 year old New York City transplant, somewhat estranged from her family, but passing the days with her boyfriend, Yuri (Yuri Pleskun). When he is called back to his native Ukraine to care for his sick father, Kota’s […]
Sundance 40 Review: Pathos lands poignantly in Alessandra Lacorraza’s “In the Summers”
“In the Summers” won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance 2024 film festival for Dramatic. Alessandra Lacorraza Samudio’s semi-autobiographical film, “In the Summers,” is a portrait of sisters Eva and Violeta through glimpses of their summertime visits to their father in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The film takes place over four summers […]
Sundance 40 Review: Theda Hammel’s head-spinning pandemic-themed comedy “Stress Positions”
Theda Hammel’s directorial debut, “Stress Positions” is a head-spinning comedy that takes place in the throes of pandemic hell. Terry (John Early) is a recent divorceé holed up in his ex-husband’s dilapidated party house while taking care of his 19 year old nephew, Bahlul (Qaher Harhash), a Moroccan model and the son of his estranged […]
Sundance 40 Review: “Handling the Undead” feasts on existentialism in this unconventional horror drama
“Handling the Undead,” directed by Thea Hvistendahl, mainly follows a trio of isolated vignettes. Anna (Renate Reinsve) and her father, Mahler (Bjørn Sundquist), mourn the loss of her young son. Anna’s grief is distant and angry, while her father’s is desperate and emotional. When visiting the boy’s grave, Mahler begins to hear a knocking from […]
Sundance 40 Review: June Squibb Shines in the Splendid Comedy, “Thelma”
Writer-director Josh Margolin’s feature debut, “Thelma,” is a splendid gem of hilarity and heart. Thelma (June Squibb) is a 90 year old woman, who after falling victim to a phone scam that costs her $10,000, is determined to get her money back by any means necessary. Her close relationship with her grandson, Danny (Fred Hechinger), […]
CIFF 2023 Review: “Paradise is Burning,” (“Paradiset Brinner”) directed by Mika Gustafson
“Paradise is Burning” screened as part of The 59th Chicago International Film Festival on October 18, 2023, as part of the International Competition. Writer-director Mika Gustafson’s “Paradise is Burning” is a union of debuts. It’s her narrative feature film debut, and the three actresses at its center have it as the first line on their […]
CIFF 2023 Review: “Sisterhood,” (“HLM Pussy”) directed by Nora El Hourch
“Sisterhood” screened as part of The 59th Chicago International Film Festival, learn more about this film! Nora El Hourch’s feature debut “Sisterhood” (french title: “HLM Pussy”) is an emboldened dossier of how girlhood prematurely, and often violently, transitions into womanhood. Amina (Leah Aubet), Djeneba (Médina Diarra), and Zineb (Salma Takaline) are a close-knit, fiery trio […]
Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Critics’ Choice: “Caroline”review
Juli Del Prete and her short film “Caroline” was awarded the Critics’ Choice award for the 2023 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival. With their award recognition a review was written by Cinema Femme contributor and film critic Peyton Robinson, who also was a programmer for this year’s film festival. The #MeToo movement was an impetus […]
Sundance 2023 review: “A Thousand and One,” directed by A.V. Rockwell
A.V. Rockwell’s debut feature “A Thousand and One” is an earth-shattering revelation. Taking place in Harlem from the mid-1990s to mid-2000s, the film is not only a document of a changing city, but a portrait of love and family persevering against the odds. When Inez (Teyana Taylor) is released from Rikers Island at the beginning […]
Sundance 2023 review: “Girl,” directed by Adura Onashile
One day every mother must come to terms with the fact that their little girls will grow into women. As those changes begin to take place, so does the realization that the way the world treats them will shift. Adura Onshile’s feature-length directorial debut, “Girl,” follows mother-daughter duo Grace (Déborah Lukumuena) and Ama (Le’Shantey Bonsu), […]
Sundance 2023 review: “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,” directed by Anna Hints
An inherent part of female existence is the eventual realization that in most social contexts, you and your body are viewed as a resource and commodity. The consequential aspect of female existence is the sisterhood that is created by these overarching shared experiences. Anna Hints’ “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” is a document of this reality in […]
Sundance 2023 review: “Bad Behaviour,” directed by Alice Englert
Alice Englert’s directorial debut, “Bad Behaviour,” walks a tightrope, for its almost two hour long runtime. Lucy (Jennifer Connelly) is pursuing enlightenment while her daughter, Dylan (director Alice Englert), is looking for autonomy in the most physical of ways. Lucy has maternal trauma and unresolved demons, and seeking to banish these from her influence, embarks […]