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Cambridge Film Festival · 2007

Cambridge Film Festival 2007

Unnamed Strand

Programme

47 films · 47 reviews

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As You Like It

Review preview for As You Like It

Much Ado About Nothing was like being given a surprise invite to a lavish summer party in Tuscany; this feels more akin to being trapped in a 'back to nature' weekend theatre workshop where the actors are having a lot more fun than you.

Jeff Robson · 3 out of 5
A banished duke and a young nobleman, Orlando, seek refuge in the Forest of Arden. The duke's daughter, in love with Orlando, pursues him disguised as a boy and devises a test for his love.

(Country: US, UK; Year: 2006; Director: Kenneth Branagh; Writer: William Shakespeare, adapted for the screen by Kenneth Branagh; Stars: Brian Blessed, Bryce Dallas Howard, Romola Garai, Adrian Lester, David Oyelowo, Alfred Molina, Kevin Kline, Richard Briers) , Official site

Full review

Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest (Azur And Asmar: The Princes' Quest, Azur Et Asmar)

Review preview for Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest

A true feast for the eyes.

Anton Bitel · 4.5 out of 5
Two young men with a shared past set out to try and rescue an imprisoned Djinn fairy, learning about themselves in the process.

(Country: France, Belgium, Spain; Year: 2006; Director: Michel Ocelot; Writer: Michel Ocelot; Stars: Steven Kyman, Nigel Pilkington, Suzanna Nour, Nigel Lambert, Leopold Benedict, Frederick Benedict, Imogen Bailey, Emma Tate, Suzanne David, Sean Barrett, Keith Wickham (English voice cast))

Full review

Black Gold

Review preview for Black Gold

Black Gold presents a richly detailed portrait of the coffee industry, all the way from Ethiopia to the barista competitions and fashionable coffee houses of the West.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A documentary examining the inequities of the coffee trade.

(Country: UK, US; Year: 2006; Director: Marc Francis, Nick Francis; Writer: Lisa Ko, Eric Martin; Stars: Terrence Howard)

Full review

Casino Royale (James Bond 21)

Review preview for Casino Royale

By focusing on the journey of how a spy becomes the Bond, James Bond we all know, the movie manages the impossible task of coping with all the baggage laid before it and reinvigorating our interest.

Stephen Carty · 5 out of 5
James Bond earns his double zero status and relaxes at the poker table with a mass murderer.

(Country: US/UK/Czech Republic; Year: 2006; Director: Martin Campbell; Writer: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Paul Haggis, based on the novel by Iam Fleming; Stars: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Giancarlo Giannini, Caterina Murino, Simon Abkarian, Isaach De Bankole, Jesper Christensen, Ivana Milicevic)

Full review

Charlotte's Web

Review preview for Charlotte's Web

What is astounding, is the restraint shown by director Gary Winick - nothing takes us from the quiet rural life of America in the Forties.

Stephanie Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
The farmer's daughter and a talkative spider try to save the life of the smallest piglet in the barn.

(Country: US; Year: 2006; Director: Gary Winick; Writer: Susannah Grant, Karey Kirkpatrick, based on the novel by E B White; Stars: Dakota Fanning, Siobhan Fallon, Gary Basaraba, Kevin Anderson, Essie Davis, voices of Sam Shepard, Julia Roberts, Dominic Scott Kay, Robert Redford, Steve Buscemi, Thomas Haden Church, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Reba McEntire, Kathy Bates, Cedric The Entertainer, Andre Benjamin, Abraham Benrubi)

Full review

The Cloud (Die Wolke)

Review preview for The Cloud

The sort of movie that would be a great jumping off point for class discussions in senior schools.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
A girl tries to take her brother to safety after an accident at a nuclear power plant.

(Country: Germany; Year: 2006; Director: Gregor Schnitzler; Writer: Marco Kreuzpaintner, Jane Ainscough, based on the novel by Gudrun Pausewang; Stars: Paula Kalenberg, Franz Dinda, Hans-Laurin Beyerling, Carina N. Wiese, Jennifer Ulrich, Claire Oelkers, Tom Wlaschiha, Karl Kranzkowski, Josefine Merkatz, Nikita Kuhlen, Richy Müller)

Full review

Clubland (Introducing The Dwights)

Review preview for Clubland

A touching and honest look at awkward teenage romance under the disapproving eye of mum.

Tony Sullivan · 4.5 out of 5
Comedy performer finds growing old is a funny business.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2007; Director: Cherie Nowlan; Writer: Keith Thompson; Stars: Brenda Blethyn, Emma Booth, Peter Callan, Khan Chittenden, Brendan Clearkin, Russell Dykstra, Rebecca Gibney, Frankie J. Holden, Philip Quast, Katie Wall, Richard Wilson)

Full review See: Sundance Film Festival 2007: Day 4

A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash

Review preview for A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash

Careful facts started seeping down my neck until I was almost in a state of shock.

Chris · 4.5 out of 5
A documentary exploring the oil industry and its impact on the world economy.

(Country: Switzerland; Year: 2006; Director: Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack)

Full review

Daft Punk's Electroma

Review preview for Daft Punk's Electroma

They really do do nothing but walk. Across the desert...this is all no doubt a radical deconstruction of conventional narrative assumptions and cinematic codes. It’s also very boring.

Jeff Robson · 2 out of 5
Two robots' quest to become human.

(Country: UK; Year: 2007; Director: Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo; Writer: Bangalter, Homem-Christo, Cedric Hervet, Paul Hahn; Stars: Peter Hurteau, Michael Reich) , Official site

Full review

Disturbia

Review preview for Disturbia

Looks terrific and moves with the fluidity and energy of a much classier picture.

The Exile · 3.5 out of 5
A teenager becomes convinced his neighbour is a serial killer.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: D J Caruso; Writer: Christopher B Landon, Carl Ellsworth; Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Sarah Roemer, Carrie-Anne Moss, David Morse, Aaron Yoo, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Matt Craven, Viola Davis, Brandon Caruso, Luciano Rauso, Daniel Caruso)

Full review

Drawing Restraint 9

Review preview for Drawing Restraint 9

Drawing Restraint 9 is no more an easy cinematic experience than a Rodin is a catchy picture postcard.

Chris · 5 out of 5
An experimental art film exploring Japanese traditions.

(Country: US, Japan; Year: 2005; Director: Matthew Barney; Writer: Matthew Barney; Stars: Matthew Barney, Björk)

Full review

Eagle vs Shark

Review preview for Eagle vs Shark

What follows is another trip into the middle of nowhere, which in some respects you can't help but feel you've seen before.

Ben Sillis · 3 out of 5
Socially awkward adventures in love.

(Country: New Zealand; Year: 2007; Director: Taika Cohen; Writer: Taika Cohen; Stars: Loren Horsley, Jemaine Clement, David Fane, Chelsie Preston-Crayford, Tanea Heke, Taika Cohen)

Full review

El Violin (The Violin)

Review preview for El Violin

Scores heavily as a mood-driven character exploration of the nature of familial love, duty, conflict and its impact on the innocent.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
An old violinist tries to help his son's guerrilla faction.

(Country: Mexico; Year: 2006; Director: Francisco Vargas Quevedo; Writer: Francisco Vargas Quevedo; Stars: Don Angel Tavira, Gerardo Taracena, Dagoberto Gama, Octavio Castro, Mario Garibaldi)

Full review

End Of The Line

Review preview for End Of The Line

You know you can’t be certain of anything. And that’s disturbing.

Angus Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
Armageddon on the subway.

(Country: Canada; Year: 2006; Director: Maurice Devereaux; Writer: Maurice Devereaux; Stars: Ilona Elkin, Nicolas Wright, Robin Wilcock, Joan McBride, Neil Napier, Tim Rozon, Emily Shelton, Danny Blanco, John Vamvas, Nina Fillis, Christine Lan)

Full review

Evan Almighty

Review preview for Evan Almighty

Despite all the hard work by the special-effects teams, this is lazy film-making.

Andrew Robertson · 1.5 out of 5
A US congressman is ordered by God to build an ark in preparation for a great flood. Out to own on DVD from November 26.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Tom Shadyac; Writer: Steve Oedekerk; Stars: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, John Goodman, Wanda Sykes, John Michael Higgins, Johnny Simmons, Graham Phillips, Jimmy Bennett)

Full review

Flanders (Flandres)

Review preview for Flanders

Its depictions of the callousness and paranoia which can develop in war are intelligently handled, yet they make it difficult for the viewer to feel much real concern for the fate of these people.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A young woman goes mad at home whilst the soldier who loves her is surrounded by madness abroad.

(Country: France; Year: 2006; Director: Bruno Dumont; Writer: Bruno Dumont; Stars: Adélaïde Leroux, Samuel Boidin, Henri Cretel, Jean-Marie Bruveart, David Poulain, Patrice Venant)

Full review

Grease

Review preview for Grease

The plot is thin... but the highly choreographed songs make up for it big-style.

Gabriella Trybalska · 3.5 out of 5
Cult musical about the romance between a naive Aussie and school stud. Singalong version back in cinemas for Valentine's Day.

(Country: US; Year: 1978; Director: Randal Kleiser; Writer: Bronte Woodard and Allan Carr, based on the musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey; Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Michael Tucci, Didi Conn, Kelly Ward, Barry Pearl, Frankie Avalon, Sid Caesar, Jamie Donnelly, Dinah Manoff, Eve Arden)

Full review

Ghosts Of Cité Soleil

Review preview for Ghosts Of Cité Soleil

The UN describes Haiti as the most dangerous place on earth and this haunting documentary shows us why.

Gary Duncan · 4 out of 5
A look at the lives and origins of the young gangsters who control Haiti's shanty towns.

(Country: Denmark, USA; Year: 2006; Director: Asger Leth and Milos Loncarevic; Writer: Asger Leth; Stars: Winson '2Pac' Jean, Wyclef Jean, James 'Bily' Petit Frère, Éleonore 'Lele' Senlis)

Full review

Ghost In The Shell 3: Solid State Society (Kôkaku kidôtai: Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society, Ghost In The Shell: Solid State Society )

Review preview for Ghost In The Shell 3: Solid State Society

G.I.T.S.3 once again merits its sci-fi credentials by being punchingly relevant to today in its view of tomorrow.

Paul Griffiths · 3.5 out of 5
The latest feature length instalment of the renowned anime series.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2007; Director: Kenji Kamiyama; Writer: Kenji Kamiyama, Shotaro, Yoshiki Sakurai; Stars: Atsuko Tanaka, Osamu Saka, Akio Ohtsuka, Kohichi Yamadera, Yutaka Nakano, Toru Okawa, Takashi Onozuka, Taro Yamaguchi, Sakiko Tamagawa) , Official site

Full review

Gypsy Caravan: When The Road Bends (When the Road Bends: Tales of a Gypsy Caravan)

Review preview for Gypsy Caravan: When The Road Bends

What's fascinating about Gypsy Caravan is the way Dellal becomes involved in her subjects' lives, enabling the viewer to do likewise.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
Documentary following a group of Roma musicians from diverse backgrounds who get together to tour the US.

(Country: US; Year: 2006; Director: Jasmine Dellal; Stars: Fanfare Ciocarlia, Taraf de Haidouks, Esma Redzepova, Antonio El Pipa, Johnny Depp, Maharaja)

Full review See: Jasmine Dellal Interview

The Hoax

Review preview for The Hoax

Hallström successfully captures the style of the Seventies, aided by a breezy original score by Carter Burwell. He also shows us the dark undercurrents of the period.

Val Kermode · 4 out of 5
A writer creates a media sensation with his fake biography of Howard Hughes.

(Country: US; Year: 2006; Director: Lasse Hallström; Writer: William Wheeler, based on the book by Clifford Irving.; Stars: Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, Stanley Tucci, Julie Delpy, Eli Wallach)

Full review

I Have Never Forgotten You - The Life And Legacy Of Simon Wiesenthal

Review preview for I Have Never Forgotten You - The Life And Legacy Of Simon Wiesenthal

Few documentaries can ever have been put together with the same level of meticulous care as this one, clearly the product of exhaustive research.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A documentary about famous Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Richard Trank; Writer: Marvin Hier, Richard Trank; Stars: Simon Wiesenthal, Nicole Kidman (voice), Sir Ben Kingsley)

Full review

The Killing Of John Lennon

Review preview for The Killing Of John Lennon

A reasonably polished film considering the minuscule budget.

Chris · 2.5 out of 5
An exploration of the experiences of Mark Chapman before and after he killed John Lennon.

(Country: UK; Year: 2006; Director: Andrew Piddington; Writer: Andrew Piddington; Stars: Jonas Ball) , Trailer

Full review

Lady Chatterley

Review preview for Lady Chatterley

For those who like thoughtful, literary cinema, this is a delight from beginning to end.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
A poetic adaptation of DH Lawrence's classic book about an aristocrat who has an affair with her gamekeeper.

(Country: Belgium, France, UK; Year: 2006; Director: Pascale Ferran; Writer: Roger Bohbot and Pascale Ferran, based on the novel by DH Lawrence.; Stars: Marina Hands, Jean-Louis Coullo'ch, Hippolyte Girardot, Hélène Alexandridis, Hélène Fillières)

Full review

Last Tango In Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi, Le Dernier Tango à Paris)

Review preview for Last Tango In Paris

Last Tango In Paris is perhaps Brando's last truly great film, and bringing him together as it does with Bertolucci, it's something which no lover of film can afford to miss.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
Two strangers meet in a empty apartment and begin a passionate but anonymous affair.

(Country: Italy, France; Year: 1972; Director: Bernardo Bertolucci; Writer: Bernardo Bertolucci; Stars: Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Maria Michi)

Full review

Longing (Sehnsucht)

Review preview for Longing

Longing is an interesting film in that it doesn't concern itself so much with the morality of its protagonist's actions as with their practical consequences. It provides a far more effective demonstration of the destructiveness of those actions.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A volunteer firefighter who witnesses the aftermath of a car crash finds his life turned upside down by an obscure, destructive longing.

(Country: Germany; Year: 2006; Director: Valeska Grisebach; Writer: Valeska Grisebach; Stars: Andreas Müller, Ilka Welz, Anett Dornbusch)

Full review

Lunacy (Sileni)

Review preview for Lunacy

Svankmajer makes the whole world a madhouse and all humanity its patients.

Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
Horror film addresses madness, both in and out of the asylum.

(Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia; Year: 2005; Director: Jan Svankmajer; Writer: Jan Svankmajer, freely adapted from the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and the Marquis de Sade; Stars: Pavel Liska, Jan Tríska, Anna Geislerová, Martin Huba, Jaroslav Dusek, Pavel Novy, Stano Danciak, Jirí Krytinár, Jan Svankmajer, Iva Littmanová, Katerina Ruzicková, Katerina Valachová)

Full review

Macbeth

Review preview for Macbeth

Some viewers will think this Macbeth scarcely deserves one star, whilst others will fall head over heels in love with it.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
Shakespeare's classic tale relocated in modern urban Melbourne.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2006; Director: Geoffrey Wright; Writer: Victoria Hill, based on the play by William Shakespeare; Stars: Sam Worthington, Victoria Hill, Lachy Hulme, Gary Sweet, Steve Bastoni, Matt Doran)

Full review

Moliere (Molière)

Review preview for Moliere

From the opening credits, this is a visual treat.

Val Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
An imaginative look at the 'lost' months of playwright Molière's life, in the style of one of his plays.

(Country: France; Year: 2007; Director: Laurent Tirard; Writer: Laurent Tirard, Grégoire Vigneron; Stars: Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Laura Morante, Edouard Baer, Ludivine Sagnier, Fanny Valette)

Full review

Motel Hell

Review preview for Motel Hell

Pretty much a must for anyone who enjoys schlocky Seventies horror.

Susanna Krawczyk · 4 out of 5
A man famous for his smoked meats buries unwary travellers alive and fattens them up...

(Country: US; Year: 1980; Director: Kevin Connor; Writer: Robert Jaffe, Steven-Charles Jaffe; Stars: Rory Calhoun, Paul Linke, Nancy Parsons, Nina Axelrod, Wolfman Jack)

Full review

Opera Jawa (Requiem from Java)

Review preview for Opera Jawa

A timeless story, beautifully told through the medium of traditional song and dance.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A traditional Indonesian tale of love and tragedy recounted through the medium of dance.

(Country: Indonesia; Year: 2006; Director: Garin Nugroho; Writer: Aramantono, Garin Nugroho; Stars: Martinus Miroto, Artika Sari Devi, Eko Supriyanto, Retno Maruti, Jecko Siompo Pui, Slamet Gundono)

Full review

Paprika

Review preview for Paprika

Every scene is a rich, visual treat.

Keith Dudhnath · 5 out of 5
A dream machine is stolen, leading to people being unable to distinguish reality from fiction.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2006; Director: Satoshi Kon; Writer: Seishi Minakami, Satoshi Kon, based on the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui; Stars: Megumi Hayashibara, Tôru Furuya)

Full review

Pool Of Princesses (Prinzessinnenbad)

Review preview for Pool Of Princesses

Holds little relevance to a British audience.

Amber Wilkinson · 2 out of 5
Three 15-year-old girls talk about their lives.

(Country: Germany; Year: 2007; Director: Bettina Blümner)

Full review

Private Fears In Public Places (Coeurs)

Review preview for Private Fears In Public Places

In clumsier hands this might have been yet another flimsy drama about a group of people longing for romance, but Alain Resnais' astute handling gradually illuminates those human interiors and shows us much more going on.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
Several interconnected people search for emotional fulfillment during a Parisian winter.

(Country: France, Italy; Year: 2006; Director: Alain Resnais; Writer: Jean-Michel Ribes, based on the play by Alan Ayckbourn.; Stars: Sabine Azéma, Lambert Wilson, André Dussollier, Pierre Arditi, Laura Morante, Isabelle Carré)

Full review See: Alain Resnais obituary

The Queen

Review preview for The Queen

A few contrived moments, such as the metaphorical stag the Queen spots on her estate, only marginally detract from what is otherwise a fascinating drama on previously uncharted cinematic territory.

Ben Sillis · 4 out of 5
The experiences of Queen Elizabeth II after the death of Princess Diana.

(Country: UK, France, Italy; Year: 2006; Director: Stephen Frears; Writer: Peter Morgan; Stars: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Helen McCrory, Roger Allam, Tim McMullan, Douglas Reith, Robin Soans, Lola Peploe)

Full review

Sherrybaby

Review preview for Sherrybaby

Realistic fly-on-the-wall performances prevent Sherrybaby from descending into a sentimental hard luck story.

Chris · 3 out of 5
An optimistic ex-convict tries to rebuild her life.

(Country: US; Year: 2005; Director: Laurie Collyer; Writer: Laurie Collyer; Stars: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Brad William Henke, Giancarlo Esposito, Sam Bottoms, Ryan Simpkins, Kate Burton, Bridget Barkan, Danny Trejo)

Full review

The Singer (Quand j'étais Chanteur)

Review preview for The Singer

The Singer is a healthy reminder of the unequivocal natural force that Depardieu can summon when he's in focus and on target.

Paul Griffiths · 4 out of 5
A nightclub singer falls in love with a much younger woman.

(Country: France; Year: 2006; Director: Xavier Giannoli; Writer: Xavier Giannoli; Stars: Gérard Depardieu, Cécile De France, Mathieu Amalric, Christine Citti, Patrick Pineau, Alain Chanone, Christophe)

Full review

Soft

Review preview for Soft

This is clever writing, smart filmmaking and excellent acting. It grasps your nerve endings and gives them a twist.

Angus Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
Youth Gang Terrorises Suburbia. Winner of European Film Academy Short Film Prix UIP.

(Country: UK; Year: 2007; Director: Simon Ellis; Writer: Simon Ellis; Stars: Jonny Phillips, Matthew O'Shea, Michael Socha) , Official site

Full review

The Seventh Seal (Det Sjunde Inseglet)

Review preview for The Seventh Seal

Playing a game for your life is a beautiful metaphor. Of course, it wouldn't have been the same in a squash court.

Angus Wolfe Murray · 4 out of 5
Bergman classic about a knight who plays chess with death. Out on re-release.

(Country: Sweden; Year: 1957; Director: Ingmar Bergman; Writer: Ingmar Bergman; Stars: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Bengt Ekorot, Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson)

Full review See: Ingmar Bergman obituary

The Sound Of Music

Review preview for The Sound Of Music

Boy meets nun, boy loses nun, boy marries nun, boy and nun go on the run.

Nicky Falkof · 4 out of 5
Julie Andrews climbs every mountain in the record-breaking World War II-ish musical.

(Country: US; Year: 1965; Director: Robert Wise; Writer: Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse, Ernest Lehman, based on the book by Maria Augusta Trapp; Stars: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Charmian Carr, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Heather Menzies, Anna Lee, Portia Nelson, Ben Wright) , Trailer

Full review

South - Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic (In The Grip Of Polar Ice, Shackleton's Expedition To The Antarctic, Southward On The Queste)

Review preview for South - Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic

Hurley has a keen eye for a good picture and often put himself in dangerous situations just to get the image he wanted.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Footage from Shackleton's expedition.

(Country: UK; Year: 1919; Director: Frank Hurley; Writer: Luke McKernan, Kelly Tyler)

Full review

Tales From Earthsea (Gedo Senki)

Review preview for Tales From Earthsea

A seaworthy effort, both as an impressive debut from someone who has never previously worked in animation, and as a fine (if somewhat bewildering) piece of synoptic adaptation.

Anton Bitel · 3.5 out of 5
A young prince is caught up in a titanic struggle of sorcerers.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2006; Director: Goro Miyazaki; Writer: Goro Miyazaki, based on the Earthsea fantasy series by Ursula K Le Guin.; Stars: Junichi Okada, Aoi Teshima, Bunta Sugawara, Yûko Tanaka, Teruyuki Kagawa, Jun Fubuki) , Official site

Full review

Taxidermia

Review preview for Taxidermia

With painterly mise-en-scène and the subtlest of CG effects to aid the camera's fluid movements... Taxidermia always compels us to stare wide-eyed at the screen in awe as much as disgust.

Anton Bitel · 4 out of 5
Three generations of grotesque goings on in Hungary.

(Country: Hungary, Austria, France; Year: 2006; Director: György Pálfi; Writer: György Pálfi, Lajos Parti Nagy, Zsófia Ruttkay; Stars: Csaba Czene, Gergely Trócsányi, Piroska Molnár, Adél Stanczel, Marc Bischoff, Gábor Máté, Zoltán Koppány, Géza D. Hegedüs, Erwin Leder, Géza Balkay, Attila Balogh)

Full review See: Tribeca Film Festival Diary Days Seven and Eight

Transylvania

Review preview for Transylvania

The landscape plays a major role in this movie, with its bleak, open spaces, adding to the feeling that the characters and their emotions are curiously incidental.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
The picaresque adventures of a pregnant Italian in rural Romania.

(Country: France; Year: 2006; Director: Tony Gatlif; Writer: Tony Gatlif; Stars: Asia Argento, Amira Casar, Birol Ünel, Alexandra Beaujard, Marco Castoldi, Beata Palya, Rares Budelaina, Gabor)

Full review

The Walker

Review preview for The Walker

A real cinematic gem disguised as a rhinestone.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
Investigating a murder mystery, a sophisticated male escort discovers some unexpected things about himself.

(Country: US, UK; Year: 2007; Director: Paul Schrader; Writer: Paul Schrader; Stars: Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Moritz Bleibtreu, Ned Beatty, Mary Beth Hurt, Lily Tomlin, Willem Dafoe)

Full review

We Shall Overcome (Drømmen)

Review preview for We Shall Overcome

By keeping the plot simple, the characters are allowed to find their voices and flourish.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
A boy takes on the school establishment in Sixties Denmark.

(Country: Denmark; Year: 2006; Director: Niels Arden Oplev; Writer: Niels Arden Oplev, Steen Bille; Stars: Janus Dissing Rathke, Bent Mejding, Anders W. Berthelsen, Sarah Juel Werner, Peter Hesse Overgaard, Anne-Grethe Bjarup Riis, Jens Jørn Spottag)

Full review

Waitress

Review preview for Waitress

One-liners come thick and fast in this bittersweet, whistle-stop romp, with Shelly almost always managing to undercut her syrup with something more stringent.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Offbeat comedy about the trials and tribulations of an unhappily married waitress in small-town America.

(Country: USA; Year: 2007; Director: Adrienne Shelly; Writer: Adrienne Shelly; Stars: Keri Russell, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelly, Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto, Andy Griffith, Eddie Jemison, Lew Temple, Darby Stanchfield, Heidi Sulzman, Lauri Johnson) , Official site

Full review See: Sundance Film Festival 2006: Day 7