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Festival coverage

Viva

7 March – 23 March 2014

Witching & Bitching
Witching & Bitching

Viva Film Festival returns for its 20th year in 2014 - running from March 7 to 23 at the Cornerhouse Cinema in Manchester. The festival will open with Days Of Vinyl, a feel-good Argentinian comedy about four record-obsessed 30-somethings who gradually realise there might be more to life - with first-time director Gabriel Nesci flying over from Buenos Aires to present his film (as well as giving an exclusive Q&A on March 9).

View complete schedule

Other years (10)

Latest reviews

  • The Delinquents
    Review preview for The Delinquents

    The robberies are carried out stylishly in the chiaroscuro shadows of a moving elevator or with sharp timing and economy of movement in the blazing sun of a parking lot.

    Rebecca Naughten · 3 out of 5
    A gang of juvenile delinquents pool their resources to pay for one of their number to be put on the bill of a bull-fighting contest.
  • Tasting Menu
    Review preview for Tasting Menu

    As is often the case in ensemble films, certain storylines are better served than others and the constant juxtapositions unavoidably highlight that.

    Rebecca Naughten · 3 out of 5
    On closing night of an acclaimed restaurant, the lives of the final set of guests intertwine as the courses are served.
  • Bertsolari
    Review preview for Bertsolari

    A beautiful film that manages to marry word, image, and music in a way that does justice to the poetry conjured up by the people it celebrates.

    Rebecca Naughten · 4 out of 5
    A documentary about the art of improvised rhyming verse sung in the Basque tongue.
  • The Last Days
    Review preview for The Last Days

    A showcase for Spanish special effects and relatively slick genre cinema, but plot and characterisation required more attention.

    Rebecca Naughten · 2.5 out of 5
    A couple of months after an epidemic has rendered most of the world's population agoraphobic, and scared to actual death if they go outside, Marc heads underground to make his way across Barcelona in search of his girlfriend.
  • Born Naked (MLB)
    Review preview for Born Naked (MLB)

    There's no doubting the sincerity on display and this film would work best for teenage audiences, who will enjoy its bouncy pop soundtrack and be more happy to go with its scattergun approach.

    Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
    Documentary examining questions of gender, sexuality and identity for young lesbians in three of the most vibrant European cities: Madrid, London and Berlin.
  • Barefoot And In The Kitchen
    Review preview for Barefoot And In The Kitchen

    Worth seeing to remind ourselves how far Spanish women have come (and what they risk losing once more in Spain's current political climate).

    Rebecca Naughten · 3.5 out of 5
    The evolution of how women have been represented in Spanish cinema, from the 1930s to the present day.
  • Days Of Vinyl
    Review preview for Days Of Vinyl

    The film is overlong - a symptom of having such a lot of key players - but Nesci balances the individual storylines well, especially considering this is a debut piece.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
    Four friends consider their lives as one of them prepares to get married.
  • Witching And Bitching
    Review preview for Witching And Bitching

    A messy but highly enjoyable romp that takes a sideswipe at modern Spanish attitudes and the country's economic turmoil.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    When three men go on the run after a heist goes bad, they run into a coven of witches.
  • The Golden Dream
    Review preview for The Golden Dream

    A flowing, lyrical film, at times startlingly beautiful, The Golden Dream hypnotises the viewer with its constant movement, its unceasing rhythm.

    Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
    A group of Guatemalan teenagers tries to make it to the US.