Few directors find their way into unique human conditions like Ira Sachs. He's made a name for himself over the past decade as a humanist director, and as he explores the complexities of relationships, he finds incredible nuance. Coming off consecutive triumphs, Sachs once again digs into the inner workings of complicated people, allowing Franz … Continue reading Review: ‘Passages’ Digs Into the Complexities of Sexuality and Lust
Sundance 2023: ‘Twice Colonized’ Depicts an Activist’s Struggle with Her Trauma
We often imagine our civil rights leaders as infallible heroes. After all, the courage and will to stand up to oppression take incredible strength. Often we ignore just how difficult these decisions can become. Activists are not only fighting for their own reasons, but they often put themselves and their loved ones in danger. As … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Twice Colonized’ Depicts an Activist’s Struggle with Her Trauma
Sundance 2023: ‘The Accidental Getaway Driver’ Stuns with Hiệp Trần Nghĩa Masterful Performance
The emergence of breakthrough actors has long helped Sundance build popularity. Many performers find their first starring role at the festival and gain important exposure for their future. Seeing a masterful performance can hit the audience like a lightning bolt. Despite decades in the industry, Hiệp Trần Nghĩa has rarely been given the opportunity to … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘The Accidental Getaway Driver’ Stuns with Hiệp Trần Nghĩa Masterful Performance
Sundance 2023: ‘Magazine Dream’ – The Year of Jonathan Majors Begins With an Imperfect Character Study
Sometimes, the Sundance Film Festival mints new directors and stars. However, it can also be the necessary push to get the full attention of someone in the years before their breakthrough. Jonathan Majors is no stranger to the festival after earning raves for The Last Black Man in San Fransisco in 2019. The last few … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Magazine Dream’ – The Year of Jonathan Majors Begins With an Imperfect Character Study
Sundance 2023: ’20 Days in Mariupol’ Shows the Horrors Experienced By Wartime Journalists
Almost one year ago, the world froze in fear. The war between the Ukraine and Russia drew the entire world's attention, and questions about intervention swam through conversations. As Russian soldiers advanced into the former USSR nation, horrifying videos and images began leaking out of Ukraine. The battles were terrible enough, but the true horrors … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ’20 Days in Mariupol’ Shows the Horrors Experienced By Wartime Journalists
Sundance 2023: ‘Willie Nelson & Family’ Is a Long Love Letter to the Legend
Always one for a practical joke, Willie Nelson became a four-quadrant celebrity. While Nelson began his storied career in country music, his persona and optimism made him larger than life. He helped establish a subgenre of Country music (known as "Outlaw Country") while providing mentorship to new and emerging artists. He became known for his … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Willie Nelson & Family’ Is a Long Love Letter to the Legend
Sundance 2023: ‘La Pecera (The Fishbowl)’ Rides the Wave of Isel Rodríguez’s Excellence
Cancer wreaks havoc on the human body, but it’s toll on the mind can often be just as harmful. While the person fighting the disease struggles with their mortality, their friends and family must rely on faith or medicine to pull them through. Even when that’s the case, the danger is often too upsetting to … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘La Pecera (The Fishbowl)’ Rides the Wave of Isel Rodríguez’s Excellence
Sundance 2023 – Shorts: ‘Christopher at Sea’ Is a Stunning Visual Explosion
Finding ourselves in unique settings can alter our understanding of self. Sometimes, the mere shift to another environment allows us to become different people. After all, society may define us one way, but a different culture and perspective may view us in a completely different light. While onboard a transatlantic cargo ship, Christopher lets his … Continue reading Sundance 2023 – Shorts: ‘Christopher at Sea’ Is a Stunning Visual Explosion
Sundance 2023: ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’ – The Women are Talking
Sometimes it's odd when works of art feel as if they were made to co-exist. The 2022-2023 Oscar season featured continual discussions of Sarah Polley's Women Talking, a film where women discussed the harms men do to them. While it was a fictional tale, the stories are too common to ignore. Meanwhile, thousands of miles … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’ – The Women are Talking
Sundance 2023: ‘Murder in Big Horn’ Asks Hard Questions About the Epidemic of Violence Against Indigenous Women
Across America, there are issues of hate crimes and violence against non-white citizens. For indigenous communities, there has been a full epidemic of violence against women. A new documentary series, Murder in Big Horn seeks to draw attention to rising rates of death and disappearance in Big Horn County, Montana. From directors Razelle Benally and … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Murder in Big Horn’ Asks Hard Questions About the Epidemic of Violence Against Indigenous Women