The Voice of Hind Rajab: Listening to the dead
A popular poster in dorm rooms when I was in college read, “War is not healthy for children and...
Category: AFIFest
Rental Family: Acting that matters
What do you do when you need someone to be a mourner, or a groom, or a father, or a companion?...
Train Dreams: Does one life matter?
“The world needs a hermit in the woods as much as a preacher in the pulpit.” What is the meaning...
AFIFest 2025: Day 5
My choices for today’s films were all Special Screenings, featuring films that will be coming out in the coming months.
AFIFest: Day 4
The T-shirt for this year’s AFIFest Presented by Canva has a quotation from the Guest Artistic...
AFIFest 2025: Day 3
Welcome back to Hollywood and AFIFest Presented by Canva. Today I encountered the first film that...
AFIFest 2025: Day 2
“Welcome, film lovers. You’re in good company.” These words come up on the screen before every...
AFIFest 2025: Opening Day
Time again for AFIFest Presented by Canva—five days of some of the best films of the year. This is...
AFIFest: The Room Next Door – Being there
“I have practically held death in my hand. I never imagined it would be so light.” Pedro...
AFIFest – Hard Truths -Walls of Anger
“Why can’t you enjoy life?” Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths is a character study of life that cannot conquer fear. Leigh’s films often have much more to do with character than plot, and his particular method of filmmaking without a...
AFIFest: Oh, Canada – Final Testimony
“This is my last prayer and, whether you believe in God or not, you don’t lie when you pray.” Paul...
AFIFest – I’m Still Here – A Family’s Trauma
Walter Salles’s film I’m Still Here is the story of a family that is torn apart by the acts of an...
AFIFest: Group Therapy – Laughing at pain?
Mental illness is no laughing matter. However, humor can come out of very difficult and painful...