The life of a refugee is hard. It is even harder when the refugees are LGBTQ persons. In Tom Shepard?s documentary Unsettled, we meet four of these asylum seekers as the begin their time in the US. Subhi is a gay man from Syria, whose life has been threated many times by Islamic extremists and…
The Surrogate is an exploration of making difficult ethical and emotional decisions. It gives us a situation that doesn?t have a clear correct answer, but does have various perspectives to look at the issues involved. We may have our own ideas of what should happen, but even if we think we have the right answer,…
Breaking into the ?boys club? is never easy. Even as things begin to improve due to recent movements surrounding women in the Hollywood, the power still remains predominantly in the hands of the men in the industry. Interestingly, while many of these conversations have surrounded gender equity in filmmaking and production, what about the world…
If you read my festival coverage, you?ll know that I am a proponent for short films. I enjoy the chance to take in a program or two of shorts when I attend film festivals. Shorts are more than just practice for aspiring filmmakers. Shorts get to the point quickly and often very effectively. Usually, the…
I try not to mansplain things. But being a male reviewing Portrait of a Lady on Fire makes me feel as if I?m doing so. That is not to say that the film needs mansplaining. Writer director C?line Sciamma has crafted a wonderful story of women seeking love and fulfilment in a world that treats…
The current rock-hero biopic trend continues with ROCKETMAN, an intimate and honest fantasy about the life of Elton John. Starring Taron Egerton as the musical icon, the film frames itself in the context of a therapy session, allowing John to explore his past and how it has driven him to superstardom, demons and all. This…
Directed by Chanya Button, Vita and Virginia?tells the story of the passionate love affair between iconic authors Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton) and Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki). Through her unique vision, the film explores not only the impact of these women as writers, but their progressive feminist voices as well. Having loved the works of Virginia…
Based on the true story of author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, Colette?is a young woman from the countryside that falls in love with a Parisien 14-years her senior named Willy. Once they move to Paris, she agrees to ghostwrite a semi-autobiographical novel for her husband. Always willing to capitalize when he discovers talent, Willy convinces Colette to…
Set in 1922, Vita and Virginia?tells the story of the passionate love affair between iconic authors Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton) and Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki). Though happily married, Vita is as well-known for her sexual dalliances with women as she is for her wealth and written work. When she is invited to meet Virginia, Vita…
Based on the true story of author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, Colette?is a young woman from the countryside that falls in love with a Parisien 14-years her senior named Willy. Once they move to Paris, she agrees to ghostwrite a semi-autobiographical novel for her husband. As her ?Claudine? series takes off in popularity, her confidence in her…
