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South by Southwest · 2021

South by Southwest 2021

Narrative Spotlight

Programme

8 films · 5 reviews

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The Drover's Wife: The Legend Of Molly Johnson

Review preview for The Drover's Wife: The Legend Of Molly Johnson

Like other iconic figures confronted with injustice, Molly seems to grow in stature with every slight, to gain spiritual power as she loses worldly power.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
A western thriller asking the question: how far would you go to protect your loved ones?

(Country: Australia; Year: 2021; Director: Leah Purcell; Writer: Leah Purcell, based on the short story by Henry Lawson; Stars: Leah Purcell, Rob Collins, Sam Reid, Jessica De Gouw, Malachi Dower-Roberts)

Full review See: Interview with Leah Purcell about The Drover’s Wife: The Legend Of Molly Johnson

The Fabulous Filipino Brothers

From Northern California to The Philippines, four brothers confront their issues with love, family, and culture, surrounding a highly controversial Filipino wedding.

(Country: Philippines, US; Year: 2021; Director: Dante Basco; Writer: Dante Basco; Stars: Dante Basco, Derek Basco, Dionysio Basco, Darion Basco, Solenn Heussaff, Liza Lapira, Tirso Cruz III, Cheryl Tsai, Arriana Basco, Joe Jitsukawa)

Language Lessons

A Spanish teacher and her student develop an unexpected friendship.

(Country: US; Year: 2021; Director: Natalie Morales; Writer: Mark Duplass, Natalie Morales; Stars: Natalie Morales, Mark Duplass, Desean Terry, Christine Quesada)

Ludi

Review preview for Ludi

Mompremier is superb in the lead.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
A hardworking and exhausted nurse battles coworkers, clients and one impatient bus driver to learn her self worth as she chases the American Dream in Miami's Little Haiti neighbourhood.

(Country: US; Year: 2021; Director: Edson Jean; Writer: Edson Jean, Joshua Jean-Baptiste; Stars: hein Mompremier, Alan Myles Heyman, Madelin Marchant, Success St. Fleur Jr., Kerline Alce, Plus Pierre, Patrice DeGraff Arenas, Farah Larrieux)

Full review

Paul Dood's Deadly Lunch Break

Review preview for Paul Dood's Deadly Lunch Break

One of the cleverest and most entertaining comedies of the year.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
A charity shop worker is set on winning the big national talent show. But when the actions of five selfish people cause him to miss his audition, he sets out to seek deathly revenge.

(Country: UK; Year: 2021; Director: Nick Gillespie; Writer: Brook Driver, Nick Gillespie; Stars: Tom Meeten, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Alice Lowe, Mandeep Dhillon, Johnny Vegas, Steve Oram, Craig Parkinson, Kevin Bishop, Pippa Haywood)

Full review

Recovery

Two directionless sisters brave a cross-country road trip to rescue their grandmother from a Covid-19 outbreak at her nursing home.

(Country: US; Year: 2021; Director: Mallory Everton, Stephen Meek; Writer: Whitney Call, Mallory Everton; Stars: Whitney Call, Mallory Everton, Anne Sward Hansen, Julia Jolley, Baylee Thornock, Jessica Drolet, Stephen Meek, Tyler Andrew Jones, Noah Kershisnik, Justin Call)

See You Then

Review preview for See You Then

It's a beautifully written script and the performances are top notch.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
A decade after abruptly breaking up with Naomi, Kris invites her to dinner to catch-up on their complicated lives, relationships, and Kris’ transition.

(Country: US; Year: 2021; Director: Mari Walker; Writer: Kristen Uno, Mari Walker; Stars: Pooya Mohseni, Lynn Chen, Nican Robinson, Danny Jacobs, Nikohl Boosheri)

Full review See: Interview with Mari Walker, Pooya Mohseni and Lynn Chen about See You Then

Swan Song

Review preview for Swan Song

Swan Song is, like many such airs, a little too slow and indulgent for its own good, sometimes meandering and losing its way, but Kier’s magnetic performance, which won him Best Actor Awards in Dublin and Monte Carlo, holds it all together.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
An aging hairdresser escapes his nursing home and embarks on an odyssey across his small town to style a dead woman’s hair for her funeral.

(Country: US; Year: 2021; Director: Todd Stephens; Writer: Todd Stephens; Stars: Udo Kier, Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans, Michael Urie, Ira Hawkins, Stephanie McVay)

Full review