Flare — A–Z of films

A passionate energy courses beneath the surface of Levan Akin's tale of love and repression

Where it really delivers is in capturing a hidden history.

Sure, the familiar kids are here - the athlete bro, the gay guys, the class clown - but the film holds up assumptions to the light, highlighting why it's dangerous to make them and showing empathy for all concerned.

Barnett excels at capturing nuances of expression and action.

There's some intelligent drama here structured around intersectional issues, which manages to show, at least to an extent, where lesser films only tell.

What does happen is likely nothing at all like what you expected to happen.

Lisa Zi Xiang's astutely written début uses the familiar formula of a multi-generation family saga as a launchpad for thematic and structural experiment.

There's a sense of joy around the kids' participation that has at least as much to do with their parents.

A cheerful, messy kind of comedy which doesn't hit every beat but is easy to like.

Haddon is excellent in the lead.

Ably performed all round, with a strong turn from Sandoval in the lead, this is a timely reflection on how it feels to be an outsider in the land of the free.

Oakley doesn't oversell the unnerving elements, instead letting them unsettle us as they settle on Ruth.

Brummer is the perfect choice to play Nick.

The tone is both bitter and sweet.

What could have been a traditionally lavish costume drama has been pared down to highlight the erotic tension and sensuality

Whilst there's a lot here that will improve the understanding of white viewers, this isn't film made for their sake.

Frankly, it's refreshing to see any film that features women having a good time at fan conventions without wearing Princess Leia slave girl outfits.

Waris Hussein breaks with the stereotype and shows Brit as a flawed, sexual character, not passive but actively trying to forge a future for himself beyond the life of dependence his disease forces upon him.

Both central performers are impressive in this brief but engaging snapshot of teenage life in England

Sequin in A Blue Room is a reminder of Nineties angst media and queer celebration, within the dark corners of adolescence.

Bowyer-Chapman is superb.

A cheery little film with a subject which will be dear to the hearts of many viewers.

Sentiment aside, there is real charm at work here, with beautifully photographed locations and good chemistry between the leads.

Sillas is impressive as a woman whose sometimes very formal, sometimes brittle demeanour hides a lot of pain, uncertainty and ongoing effort.

Two of Us jolts the senses - you can smell when the hot pan stays on the stove too long and want to interfere.