Pascal Plante’s psychological serial killer thriller Red Rooms from Seattle International Film Festival starts with a courtroom setup, which reminded me of Saint Omer, and then goes to a completely different direction. Great camera work, Dominique Plante’s score, and Juliette Gariépy’s icy lead performance contribute to what is a unique and disturbing film you won’t […]
The Ride Ahead
Filmmaker Samuel Habib, who has cerebral palsy, is bold and unapologetic in the Seattle International Film Festival documentary THE RIDE AHEAD, which he co-directed with his father Dan. The film includes interviews with other disability activists like Judith Heumann, Maysoon Zayid, and Ali Stroker and challenges the viewer to see the world through their eyes. […]
A New Kind of Wilderness
The tears come early on in Silje Evensmo Jacobsen‘s tender documentary A NEW KIND OF WILDERNESS about a family’s loss and adjustment to subsequent changes that come with it. Seattle International Film Festival selection has many moving scenes that will make you want to hold your loved ones tighter afterwards.
Scala!!!
SCALA!!! from Seattle International Film Festival is basically a rock ’n’ roll documentary that is about the infamous London movie theater. You hear amusing anecdotes from frequent visitors and view clips from some of the cult films shown. For fans of docs about cinema and subcultures.
Mountains
Monica Sorelle’s MOUNTAINS from Seattle International Film Festival portrays immigrant hopes, dreams, and disappointments through the eyes of a family in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. It is an accomplished realist feature debut that makes you look forward to what the director will do next. In addition to its theatrical screenings, it is also […]
Seagrass
The loss of a loved one and the resulting grief’s effects on the individuals and their family members have been explored in many films. Meredith Hama-Brown’s SEAGRASS from Seattle International Film Festival feels original thanks to its eerie atmosphere and elaborate visuals. Strong performances all around from Ally Maki, Luke Roberts, Sarah Gadon, Chris Pang, […]
Slow
I saw Marija Kavtaradze’s SLOW at the Sundance Film Festival last year and it ended up in my top ten of 2023. The romance between a dancer and an asexual sign language interpreter is unlike any I have seen before. It is tender, honest, and beautifully shot in 16mm. Screening in-person and online as part […]
Gloria!
If you’re looking for something on the lighter and fun side of festival fare, keep an eye out for Margherita Vicario’s GLORIA! starring The Taste of Things’ Galatéa Bellugi. The pop-infused, crowd-pleasing 18th century musical is screening at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Subterranean
Not for the claustrophobic, Subterranean is a fine looking caving documentary from Canada. You learn quite a bit about the sport. I was happy to observe it on film, but I still find it hard to grasp why they do this! The film is screening both in-person and virtually at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds
If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, run, don’t walk to see the French animated film Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds from director Benoît Chieux when you get the chance. Beautifully designed and imaginative, its fantasy world will appeal to kids and grown ups alike. It is currently screening at the Seattle International Film […]