Movie reviews

From 2023:

UKRAINA! FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE

КОНКУРС КОРОТКОМЕТРАЖНИХ ФІЛЬМІВ БЛОК 4 (SHORT FILM COMPETITION SET 4)

ЗРОСТАННЯ У ВИСОТУ (RAISING BY HEIGHT)

Recommended. A man abseils from a block of flats hindered by a football supporter, a cat and a kid boasting off with what he's learned from his dad. A hilarious action comedy with great music.

ЦЕ ПОБАЧЕННЯ (IT'S A DATE)

Seen and reviewed before at Her Docs Forum.

PTITSA 

Watchable. This pandemic documentary about lockdown puts into perspective our lives in general: how we neglect both our places and relationships with our close ones when we're out and about, and Ukraine from the perspective of the current war, seeing how the women are worried about their building crumbling when it was just wear and tear. It also deals with how we have to abandon our plans and dreams after a relative's death. On the other hand, it's full of waffling. 

 

МАРІУПОЛЬ. СТО НОЧЕЙ (MARIUPOL. A HUNDRED NIGHTS)

Watchable. This short is a Ukrainian Oscar candidate. But neither the basic animation, nor the foul language in the song appeal to me. Though the idea of never being able to go back home is thought-provoking. Only the final notes and shots are truly moving.

КОРДОН (FRONTIER)

Watchable. A black and white documentary about revisiting Luhansk, partly abandoned since 2015, after 8 years. Impressions from the place. Not much informative value.  

ВИ ЇЇ БАЧИЛИ (YOU'VE SEEN THIS ONE)

Switched off. Thought congestion rather than the girl's depression. Tiring and pointless.

КОНКУРС КОРОТКОМЕТРАЖНИХ ФІЛЬМІВ БЛОК 4 (SHORT FILM COMPETITION SET 4)

ЮРА (YURA)

Watchable. A drama about being split between a love for a girl and the love for your homeland. A look into what's it like to be unable to leave Ukraine (as a young man) and some crazy idea in the plot. The first part, before getting banned, is a little protracted. 

КРИМЦІ (IDENTITY ON THE LINE: CRIMEANS)

Watchable. An informative, even if overtalked, documentary on the difficult history of Crimean Tatars' forced migrations, their artisanship and culture.

КИЇВ - УЖГОРОД (KYIV - - UZHHOROD)

Watchable. Artistic, animated impressions from being a refugee. Lucid but nothing new on the subject.

ДЕНЬ ВЧИТЕЛЯ (TEACHER'S DAY)

Recommended. A gripping crime drama where two former victims face a pedophile. Smart, with astonishing, shocking even, twists of action within a 19-minute film.

ЗГАСАЮЧЕ СВІТЛО (DYING LIGHT)

Recommended. Dying is not easy. Or simple. Nor is grief obvious. Graphic at some point.  

And full-length:

ЛЮКСЕМБУРГ, ЛЮКСЕМБУРГ (LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG)

Watchable. Inspired by true events. It's hard to say what the subject of the film truly is or what genre it is. 

COUP DE CHANCE

Watchable. Different from other Woody Allen movies, there's no humour in dialogue, only the finale is tongue-in-cheek. Yet the story is lucid, stylish and engaging. Hunting in reality looks different than depicted. But it facilitates the praise of pure chance in the ending. Jazz accompanies the end credits - a possible reference to the book the novelist was writing.

AN CAILIN CIUIN (THE QUIET GIRL)

Recommended. The 2023 Oscar nominee from Ireland is superb  mostly owing to Catherine Clinch who acts remarkably well as the girl. The story is very gently and quietly told yet touching.

Reviewed from the distributor's screener, cinematic reception might differ