NewFest — A–Z of films

There are a lot of interesting ideas swirling around in this film.

The intimacies are staggering.

A lot of effort has gone into production design, resulting in a film which looks really good for its budget, but the most important factor is Anderson’s eye for the sort of details which stand out to teenagers.

At the core of the film is an exploration of the intersectional issues faced by Black LGBTQ+ people

Covert glances and dauntless gestures between the three protagonists, that keep us guessing about who knows what, weave a web as diaphanous as the stitching on fine cloth.

A torch song of a film.

Loose camerawork from Frank van den Eeden enhances the intimate, raw spirit.

All this would work just as well on a stage, and Griffiths doesn’t really do much with it to get beyond that, though she handles the actors well and there’s some nice set dressing and lighting. It’s still a gripping watch.

There’s a depth and groundedness here which speaks to lived experience.

Deftly edited with an eye for detail, this is a personal story which reminds us that history is comprised not simply of great events but of human experiences.

Packed full of richly observed detail.

The agony of strained relationships is tempered here by beautifully observed comedy.

Kyi has a sharp eye for the little details of people’s homes and unconscious behaviours which enrich our understanding of who they are.

Essentially an old fashioned tale in which the pursuit of dreams needs to be balanced by learning to appreciate what one has.

The love story is remarkable in its own right but the film also shows the way these sorts of histories could be hidden in plain sight.

There are layers and layers of humour here, sometimes rooted in queer and theatrical traditions but mostly accessible regardless.

There’s a lot going on in Júlia Murat’s accomplished drama.

Pleasingly disconcerting.

What could have been just another exercise in nostalgia instead emerges as a valuable picture of a grassroots creative movement.

A quirky yet moving character piece full of absurdist comedy, with an optimistic streak which is rare in cinema today.

Brilliantly made.

Kat is styled with a punk sensibility which will appeal to young viewers tired of old fashioned notions about how young heroes ought to look and behave.