Author Archives: TR

In search of Utopia: “Zheleznaya doroga” [2007 Russia]

I’d been working backward through the filmography of Aleksey Fedorchenko, and was pleased to see that his Fellini-esque surreal comedy from 2007, “Zheleznaya doroga” [Eng. Title: The Railway] was as much an allegory as a visual feast. The hilarious premise … Continue reading

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Primal instinct: “La región salvaje” [2016 Mexico]

Amat Escalante is renowned/infamous for gritty and at times shocking realism in his films. But his 2016 erotic Sci-Fi fantasy drama (or dark comedy even) “La región salvaje” [Eng. Title: The Untamed] is quite different, and happily so. The film begins … Continue reading

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My body, my choice: “Vergine giurata” [2015, Italy, Albania]

There’s no need for alarm; we needn’t fear a militant or agenda-driven feminist narrative in Laura Bispuri’s debut feature “Vergine giurata” [Eng. Title: Sworn Virgin]. It is rather a nuanced critique of restrictive sexual and cultural norms in some communities and … Continue reading

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A brief review: “170 Hz” [2011 Netherlands]

Joost van Ginkel’s debut feature “170 Hz” concerns two deaf youths from different backgrounds falling in love. Evy (Gaite Jansen) and Nick (Michael Muller) are lovers, but the only thing they have in common, apart from their love for each … Continue reading

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A brief review: “Las hijas de Abril” [2017, Mexico]

Wishing you all a very happy 2018!   Michel Franco is among the leading lights of Mexican cinema working today. Franco follows up on his impressive 2015 drama ‘Chronic’ with an equally devious and shocking family drama “Las hijas de Abril” … Continue reading

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