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: “Departing Seniors,” directed by Clare Cooney
“Departing Seniors” screened opening night of The 59th Chicago International Film Festival on October 11, 2023. The final week of senior year of high school can be full of surprises. Memories of the times you’ve had flood the halls you’ve walked for four years. Fear and excitement for an unknown future linger over you. However, […]
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 […]
CIFF 2023 Review: “The Beautiful Summer,” directed by Laura Luchetti
“The Beautiful Summer” is screening this afternoon at AMC NEWCITY at 2:30 PM as part of the Women in Cinema and Outlook program. Adolescence is universal. No matter the time period, gender, sexuality, or setting, coming of age is tangible to any audience member. It is something everyone experiences, and it offers a deep well […]
Rising star and third generation actor Thomasin McKenzie discusses her character in ‘Jojo Rabbit’
“Jojo Rabbit,” based on the book Caging Spies by Christine Leunens, pushes the boundaries in satirical storytelling in ways that only director Taika Watiti can do. His bold and daring satire about a little boy whose pretend friend is Hitler hits all the right notes. It makes us not just laugh, but think and even create sympathy […]