Movie reviews

UKRAINA! FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE

БУДИНОК «СЛОВО» ("SLOVO" HOUSE. UNFINISHED NOVEL)

Watchable. Black and white, set in Soviet times. The film is quietly paced, taking time to play with light and shadow every now and then. The first half is a bit on the slow side but mid-way through the film things take a dramatic turn. It bears some semblance to "Leben der Anderen" ("The Lives of Others") but he listens about himself. It's shocking how Акімов (Akimov) changes once given a fraction of power. Next you become aware of the astonishing context. A moral tale about a careerist.

SHORT FILMS SET 2

Якщо сильно заплющити очі

Сім’я – то назавжди

Інша Ніч

Фаза

Чому плачуть діти

Бульмастиф

ЯКЩО СИЛЬНО ЗАПЛЮЩИТИ ОЧІ

Watchable. A short and simple tale about a family that comes unstuck. I'm not sure if the scenes along the end credits are preceding the plot or showing the after-the party. The whole thing is quite ordinary.

СІМ'Я - ТО НАЗАВЖДИ (FAMILY IS FOREVER)

Recommended. An amusing mockery of a family in which one person turns vegetarian. Wonderfully depicted.

ІНША НІЧ

Recommended. About the propaganda machine before the war, the onset of the war itself and evacuation. Astonishing to hear that writing "діти" ("children") on buildings seemed to prompt shellings. Strongly touching when you see people fleeing with their dogs.

ФАЗА (PHASE)

Watchable. An intriguing crime mystery told in an original way. The ending either is a bit inconsistent or I didn't get it - did the boys not see the woman in question?

ЧОМУ ПЛАЧУТЬ ДІТИ

Watchable. An endearing animation about a baby cockroach's dreams. The human message, especially in the final song isn't clear.

БУЛЬМАСТИФ (BULLMASTIFF)

Recommended. A beautiful story of a war veteran and a dog. The story's complex but totally comprehensible. Wondefully acted by everyone, including the dog. Based on facts.

ЦЕНЗОРКА (107 MOTHERS)

Watchable. Half-naked pregnant women - the film was written and directed by men - at a medical check-up unsettle you at first, next comes a revolting birth-giving scene. It looks almost documentary at times. Rightly so, since it's inspired by true stories of four imprisoned women. The drama is engaging. On the one hand, you witness their daily lives - I'm amazed how well the issue of having babies in prison is tackled in Ukraine, on the other, you see the women's dreams and plans being hindered by the circumstances.

МАТИ АПОСТОЛІВ (MOTHER OF APOSTLES)

Recommended. A gripping war thriller dealing with issues of loyalties and integrity. The complexity of the 2014 situation in the occupied Eastern Ukraine is the basis for twists of action. The uncompromising cruelty of Russians shocks. The story's engaging on the human level as well for parents lose their sons. Very Ukrainian in style, social culture and music tradition.

B. СИЛЬВЕСТРОВ (V. SILVESTROV)

Switched off. 2 hours 22 minutes of a slow-paced documentary where the elderly composer makes sure every note is sung just right, sings himself in his much aged voice, accidental yet prolonged glimpses of Kyiv are shown, he browses a calendar - the scene keeps you looking at him for no reason for ages, expresses his thoughts on his interpretation of music and then, after the final credits of the first part, when you feel relieved, the second part commences - it's about the past so everything's as tedious as part one but more historical. The film could do with some serious cutting.

THE MENU

Recommended. The experience consists of carefully sourced cast and the script cooks up first-class food for thought. Does gourmet cuisine deprive us of the joy of eating? Are posh diners served or do they serve celebrity chefs? How do you act when your own situation doesn't bear thinking about? Riveting twists of action and the sheer creativity of the menu - the expected dishes and the unexpected servings - keep you glued to the screen. Consummately crafted.

BELLE ET SEBASTIEN, NOUVELLE GENERATION (BELLE AND SEBASTIEN: THE NEW GENERATION)

Watchable. A thoroughly modern version. It opens with a skatepark scene but neither that trope, nor the bully watched by the boys plot is continued. The scene, as well as the journey to the mountains is accompanied by great pop tunes. The Pyrenees look like pretty average mountains. The three actresses and the two lead actors - the mixed-race Robinson Mensah Rouanet as Sébastien and Syrus Shahidi as Gas look good. The animals are wonderful: birds of prey, dogs, sheep, including a newborn, wolves. It's all worth it when we reach one heartfelt scene where cute wolf puppies appear. The film's very well cut. The story, though, is so run-of-the-mill only children may be interested. It's mentioned that a lake drainage could lead to a wider drought issue but the makers don't delve into it.