AFRYKAMERA 2023 ONLINE

FOR LOVE

Watchable. I understand why this short won the audience award. It's truly touching. But the story, even though simple: a woman proposes to her lover so that she is allowed to stay in the UK, has an incomprehensible twist - I knew some twist was coming but the ending is perplexing.

THE HOMES WE CARRY

Watchable. I guess the dual or triple national identity may be an issue for people since it was voted the best documentary by the audience, even though this observational film, apart from giving you the rough picture of Madgermanes' predicament: both Germany where they trained and Mozambique let them down, is a 1.5-hour documentary which just shows family life - pleasant, warm but nothing interesting there.

ملكات (QUEENS)

Recommended. Voted best feature film by the festival audience, western-like, structured like "Thelma & Louise", but with Moroccan landscapes, music, social customs and folk beliefs, it's a riveting adventure. Wonderful cinematography, an engaging plot, where Moroccan reality twists the story. It's a special.

CLASHING DIFFERENCES

Watchable. A damn smart satire on political correctness, leftist ideologies -  made by women and acted by women. With great music. The only downside is it forces you to constantly analyse what is being sad. It's quite intellectual. But visually colourful, dynamic. Fun. German but versatile.

MILISUTHANDO

Switched off. While most films about South Africa deal with the discriminatory practices of apartheid or its fall, this one is a unique presentation of its beginnings. Ones fully approved of and welcomed by blacks. But daily family life - unlike any other - and narration, poetic kind, constitute most of the film. The interviews with children are boring and don't bring any new information. This important message gets ruined by the protracted form. A documentary over 2 hours long is always a forewarning. It could do with serious editing. 

BELLY FLOP

Watchable. This 5-minute-long cartoon is a simple story of envy at a swimming pool. The ending boosting a fat black girl's confidence is simplistic. But it's a light holiday film.

AL DJANAT, PARADIS ORIGINEL (AL DJANAT - THE ORIGINAL PARADISE)

Switched off. Whereas "Our fathers managed to restrain their women. They kept them in line." speaks volumes about Burkina Faso, motorbikes, tedious rent collecting and disputes on a potential sale ruin this documentary. It's French so presented as if in real time, no cutting short.

SUMARA MARE

Recommended. This short documentary encompasses all problems of Cabo Verde: poverty, hunger, men's laziness, environmental damage. Brief and to the point. 

FOR LOVE

Watchable again. No knowing immigration regulations still hinders understanding but I guess that now, having watched carefully, I know what point it ends at. 

NAPOLEON

Watchable. While it's roughly based on historical events, this shot in Malta blockbuster takes great liberty in treating historical detail, the psychology of the protagonists or social norms. Its approach is modern and American through and through. The final notes stress the 61 battles he fought cost the lives of 3 million people. But, for what we know from history, Napoleon was a Machiavellian narcissistic psychopath, Josephine is likely to have been akin to him. Instead, while Joaquin Phoenix's interpretation of the genius strategist is compelling, it's highly unlikely he'd run in fear or mumble. What stands out is interesting, Atmos-recorded,  music, best during the end credits. Lots of extras, little accuracy. Poor cinematography where everything looks the same gray. At least it's dynamic so you don't feel the 2 hours 40 minutes, the action feels sketchy rather. 

IT LIVES INSIDE

Watchable. Corridor walls turning into shiny orange almost-Netflix-logo, a teenager on a bike, 80s music hint at "Stranger Things" - I've never seen those though. This flick is reasonably scary, partly owing to perfectly surrounding sound effects, until the monster turns out to look like a home-scale Godzilla. A flesh-devouring monster feeding on negative emotions is such a horror cliche. The Indian culture set-up was promising but results in typical American supernatural scares and the culture is treated superficially with very few elements cherry-picked. The plot often fails to make sense, especially Russ's immediate death in the context of later information.

THE SACRIFICE GAME

Recommended. More of a slasher than a supernatural horror, even with a demon at the end - no monsters. The opening appears inspired by the murder on Sharon Tate: 1971, 3 men and 1 woman assault people in their houses, cut the woman's stomach. Other cultural references are "Funny Games", you also get a hotel in snow like in "The Shining". But the plot is unpredictable, you don't know till the end which way it'll turn. Jenn Wexler wrote and directed the movie. Georgia Acken as Clara is the most memorable. مينا مسعود (Mena Massoud) is the most frightening as diabolical Jude.

UWIERZ W MIKOLAJA (I BELIEVE IN SANTA)

Walked out. This 'comedy' is awfully sad and full of pathologies, poverty, alcoholism, profanities in the language, ludicrous behaviours, e.g. after hitting someone accidentally with an axe the woman punches him twice, trying to help him or something.

A FERD MED MOMMU (DRIVING MUM)

Watchable. This tragicomedy being black and white hurts the movie filled with Icelandic landscapes which normally look otherworldly in colour - here no chance was given. The story's engaging, it's a road movie, where reality mixes with dreams and visions. The dog was my favourite character, needlessly marred by the deadly accident in the middle of the film. The dog's responses to his owner are delightful. The story's certainly unusual but Jon amiable, you root for him to find freedom and joy. Funny where he finds his freedom in the end.

JIMPA

Watchable. If it weren't for protracted scenes with sentimental music (I don't mean retrospects, which are quite vibrant), it would be a great movie. The main topic is queerness now and decades ago since Jim was a lifelong gay activist. Therefore differences are discussed.  It also tackles such issues as being a gay's child or a parent of a non-binary teenager. It explains some queer terms and features a fun scene where voguing is explained. Still, it's more complex than that: it deals with euthanasia, both of a human and a dog. Luckily lots of the story focuses on a happy family, even if split - it's a really warm, on top of being thought-provoking, film. Very realistic too, it doesn't shy away from male nudity or mentions of sex at all ages. It's also about the need of feeling accepted and of finding your feet in sex life. There's a mid-credit which sees the dog wag his tail. 

LGBT+ FILM FESTIVAL POLAND 2026

CLUE (1985)

Recommended. The set-up is promising: strangers arrive at a house in a sequestered location welcomed by a butler. They're to use aliases only. This whodunnit comedy is stylish, looks very British, but is American. A storm outside enhances the atmosphere. What follows is smart, unpredictable, studded with humour, e.g. when a fainting woman is meant to fall into somone's arms but he fails to catch her or when she realises she may be drinking poison. All that is superbly acted under Jonathan Lynn's unerring direction.

Seen online, cinematic reception might differ.

PLANETES (DANDELION'S ODYSSEY)

Watchable. An artistic, often photorealistic, animation about dandelions traversing the universe, an icy ocean among icebergs, battling elements, encountering a frog and its sprogs, fighting a mantis and a moth, riding slugs. No human language is spoken, the plants emit underwater-creatures-like sounds. Original, gentle music forms the audio accompanying the vivid, colourful images, using classical and ethnic instruments. It looks bizarre at times, whereas at other makes you wonder how they made it seem so real. The underwater-creatures-like voices sound childish but the music is varied and pleasant. The story is ambiguous, open to your own interpretation. It certainly never bores you. 

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

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NO PRIDE IN GENOCIDE

The set consists of 9 short films:

A TANGLED WEB DROWNING IN HONEY

Listenable. For some funny technical reason I was only able to hear the film audio, without the video, so all I can say is it's poetic, introspective, told in a beautiful female voice, nothing is direct, the whole thing is certainly subject to interpretations, but the pictures could help direct said interpretation.

MARCO

Recommended. A profound drama set in a posh London flat on the Thames, where scrambled eggs with sumac evoke longing as strongly as the conversation does. Tension fills the air from the opening when Omar doesn't answer the phone. When the two men meet "The Book of Disquiet" on the shelf indicates the hopes their encounter brings are too beautiful to be true. Both men have come in search of what cannot be fulfilled. Gripping emotionally and thought-provoking.

HOMECOMING QUEENZ

Watchable. An amateurish documentary with jarring background noise. The film highlights how much Israeli immigration knows about their citizens - about the only reason to see it.

SULTANA'S REIGN

Recommended. Drag queen Sultana embodies glamour: a blonde wig, 2-hour make-up, a fabulous crimson sequin dress - that's how he/she lightens up her days in depressing New York City weather. Originally from Palestine, she promotes peace with her queen lifestyle.  She discusses the American divas of the 1940s and Egyptian ones from the 1960s-70s as her inspirations, though it's Madonna that helps her identify what's new in make-up. He/she also tells about her coming out and how his/her perfect hard-working-for-the-family father induced such fear he/she couldn't become him/herself. And how turning-straight psychotherapy sped up becoming fully gay. The documentary is also informative in how Sultana explains that drag has recently become half-male-half-female which doesn't suit every performer.

 

I NEVER PROMISED YOU A JASMINE GARDEN

Recommended. An innocuous start where two friends talk while one of them is preparing a birthday dinner for a friend leads surreptitiously to a heart-wrenching finding. It's told smartly - at first I didn't realise what that cigarette thing was during the walk, it only dawned on me half a minute later. Powerful.

VIBRATIONS FROM GAZA

Recommended. A 10-year-old remembers 2 wars. Israeli attacks intensify during Ramadan, especially at Iftar time. The surveillance drone noise is persistent, even some deaf people hear it. Sudden bombings wake people at night. Whole buildings collapse "as if they never existed". "It feels like an earthquake." Actual sonic weapons are used for the high-velocity sound to torture people and damage their hearing, especially in children. The film uses constant drone buzzing in the background, war footage and children's stories of their experiences to a hard-hitting effect.

ANTENNE

Recommended x 3. Directed, edited and performed by Bashar Murad this video clip  humorously opens with comments in which people confuse Palestine with Pakistan, but it swiftly turns to rhytmic, danceable pop. The singer's outfits are the icing on the cake. I listened to the song and played the video three times. Top-notch fun with political lyrics.

Bashar Murad is going to give a concert this Friday as part of the festival.

PALCORECORE

Recommended. Free running through ruins, dancing between fires - this poetic and musical affirmation of life is steadfast resistance. The author calls herself "a war crime in reverse". Captivating, thought-provoking and visually awesome.  

COYOTES

Recommended. A gripping thriller with atmosphere: night, being stuck in a desolate place among coyotes and with a great twist in the middle. 

Reviewed from the organizers' screeners, cinematic reception might differ.

LGBT+ FILM FESTIVAL POLAND 2026

The festival is starting tomorrow, I've had a chance to preview some of the this year offerings:

OBEN OHNE (WHERE YOU FIND ME)

Watchable. Visual effects like intentionally blurred sequences or mother and daughter reflected in each other's eyes repeatedly add a dreamy feel to the story of women choosing life without obligations. The drama tackles the dualism of life: professional duties and relationship responsibilities, days of discussing diseases or pregnancies and their terminations are juxtaposed with frivolous absent-mindedness of partying hard, steamy nights and daylight lazing on the beach (cold and cloudy - it's Germany). Infrequent but fabulous techno and trance of the club sequences and along the end credits form the sountrack. No court or legal advice scenes regarding the eponymous "oben ohne" ("topless") accusation - the misdemeanor charge remains on the margin. "I hate to be an adult", mentioned by a protagonist, should be the movie title.

Reviewed from the organizers' screener, cinematic reception might differ.

DANGLING CARROT

Recommended. Taylor Ghrist's movie (written, directed and acted, he's also one of two executive producers) is straight-people-friendly - all gay terms are explained in the conversation Taylor has with his two girlfriends in one of the first scenes. Search for love is relatable to all of us so you keep rooting for him as he seeks connection. The main difference between the straight world and the male gay reality is the predominance of sex in the latter, which is also discussed with the two girls. The film offers an unflinching look at contemporary dating. Gaslighting and other manipulative tactics are vividly brought home in the plot to manifest the selfishness of our times. From a romantic comedy to a shattering finale the movie craftily navigates dramatic genres. Top-notch performances and superb music backdrop ensure it's thoroughly entertaining, engaging and doesn't feel heavy even for a minute. 

Reviewed from the organizers' screener, cinematic reception might differ.

Also Palestinian singer Bashar Murad is going to perform in Poland for the first time as part of the festival. Here comes a sample of his music: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0p78w_BpKw&list=RDx0p78w_BpKw&start_radio=1

WHISTLE

Watchable. A good story where you learn how each character would die if they lived long enough, fantastic music, of varying genres, but always matching the action on the screen. The whole thing is moderately scary. What ruins the finale is the nonsensical death of the young pastor as well as saving each other through reanimation to cheat death ripped off another horror flick.  

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

PILLION

Recommended. Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård, who also co-produced this gay flick, is perfect as the domineering partner. His subservient counterpart sings like an angel - the fabulous choir and the rest of the soundtrack are another strong point about this comedy drama. The story is original, unusual, told with a pinch of salt. A unique experience.

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

유령 (PHANTOM)

Watchable. You have to watch this noir espionage thriller very carefully. About an hour in I had to go back and see it all over again from the start. Twice. And then I went back places every now and then. While it's totally engaging, as you keep solving the puzzle, those numerous details make it possible to follow only when you can rewind. Brilliant performances, especially both secretaries' as well as the cat owner's. Visually it offers memorable noir-style shots and use of colour, e.g. when blood splashes on a Mt. Fuji painting during the attempt to assassinate the Japanese governor. The finale's truly brutal, as expected in a Korean movie.

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

UN TUEUR SI PROCHE: ANN RULE ET TED BUNDY (THE STRANGER BESIDE ME - ANN RULE AND TED BUNDY)

Recommended. It's not the woman's discovery of who her friend is, though her difficulty in accepting the truth is intriguing, that's shocking, it's the serial murderer's ease of manipulating others that's mind-boggling. On the screen his eyes are ice cold and his smirk revoltingly false. How come he managed to lure the 37 women he claimed he had murdered? It's also frightening where Ann Rule and Ted Bundy met - what's not mentioned in the documentary is that what inspired him to murder women was the agony he heard in their voices while working in the crisis centre. My background knowledge made the film even more frightening.

The documentary was available on Arte TV.

SACRE COEUR: SON REGNE N'A PAS DE FIN (SACRED HEART)

Switched off. This documentary is boring for two reasons. Firstly, converts' stories are the norm for religious true-life films, as is commentary about a nun's vision, so it feels tedious to hear some again, over and over, also told in monotonous voices. Secondly, the Sacred Heart devotion is limited so a film solely about that feels sectarian, unattractive to a non-follower.

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

ARTEKINO FESTIVAL 2023

SPLENDIDE HOTEL: UN VOYANT EN ENFER (SPLENDID HOTEL)

Watchable. Based on an obscure period in poet Arthur Rimbaud's life, this poetic drama mixes history when travel wasn't common and towns tended to be quiet, with modern day pictures and visual effects or music. You learn he tried to poison someone's dogs out of frustration, that he was religious, that he longed for family life instead of travel. It's a picture of waiting, for over 10 months. Also a lesson of life which was a turning point for him, not just because of his musings, but because it may have ruined his health and certainly didn't bring him expected wealth - an unusual set of events made him return to square one but more experienced and humbled. Occasional theatricality of set decor and mediocre acting are the downsides of this picture. 

SUNDAYS

Watchable. A fully professional documentary, thorough, even unduly filled with conversations at times, some of them had better be cut out, but about a very ordinary person. The only justification of it could be it deals with fate, or, in religious terms, God's plan for you. Does God truly have a plan for everyone? Seems true for this priest. Still, there's nothing special about him to tell the world, he's just the narrator's family member. 

VAMOS A LA PLAYA

Switched off. Two girls and one boy go to Cuba to find the boy's brother doing research on manatees. Little Cuba, no manatees, instead silly chatter, the most ridiculous about sex, wanking too. Why would I watch that? Ah, and one of the girls repeatedly talks directly to the camera like in some kind of reality show. 

DEN SISTE VAREN (SISTER, WHAT GROWS WHERE LAND IS SICK?) 

Switched off. This psychological drama consists of silly chit-chat and, on top of that blabber, a narrator reading one of the teenager's diaries where she talks about her mental problems. 

PUFFIN ROCK AND THE NEW FRIENDS

Recommended. This Irish animation is a cute, heart-warming tale for young children. Not only is it filled with love but it also teaches kids some environmental lessons. 

AFRYKAMERA 2023 ONLINE

LE SPECTRE DE BOKO HARAM (THE SPECTRE OF BOKO HARAM)

Watchable. An observational etnographic documentary about a village in Cameroon, near the Nigerian border. Colourful pigeons on the ground, white birds in the trees, lizzards on the walls, men resting on blankets outside, an elementary school teaching French, a woman pounding millet. Soldiers in the background. It's centred around kids. Some turn out to be former child soldiers, runaways from Boko Haram. Their accounts mix with magic. Magic, Christianity and Islam mix in the culture as exemplified by the case of a child ill with malaria treated with chicken blood mixed with bark. Too much focus on children, no commentary, little to the point. 

THE BRIDE

Watchable. For Rwandan women violence didn't end with the war. While the drama sees the aftermath, e.g. people who have lost their entire families and who have moved to a house leftover after other exterminated people, the custom of abducting a woman and making her a bride via rape is rife. The film is slow-paced and looks too theatrical at times. But it's engaging not only in terms of action but also relationships there and then since part is local culture and part coping with the tragic past.

ARTEKINO FESTIVAL 2023

РИБЕНА КОСТ (FISHBONE)

Switched off. A few separate parallel stories. No idea what some of them are about.

MI VACIO Y YO (MY EMPTINESS AND I)

Watchable. A colourful production with occasional good music Raphaelle's story tells you all you need to know about what it's like to be an m to f trans looking for love. The romantic search part is totally engaging, the trans layer is interesting enough but overtalked at times. 

A SIBILA (THE SIBIL)

Switched off. A narrator and all characters talk in a lofty, stilted, monotonous way, often about abstract things.

NIEMAND IST BEI DEN KALBERN (NO ONE'S WITH THE CALVES)

Switched off. A countryside girl picks up men, wanks, drinks, smokes, her father gets wasted. 

The festival had 'very large' subtitles actually legible from a distance which was great. Unfortunately they'd often blend into light coloured backgrounds. Movies would stutter so badly they took half longer than their official running time. But most were of meagre quality anyway.  

LOS DOMINGOS (SUNDAYS)

Recommended. Catchy dance rhythms open this unusual drama from Spain, a lofty and joyful religious song closes it which wonderfully sums up the protagonist's transition. The secular world isn't attractive: bank loans, family fights over inheritance, a scheming aunt, all youngsters' entertainment connected to sex, whether singing or bragging about it. It's all realistically depicted, from life-like conversations to a diversity of characters and their responses to the extraordinary decision of the 17-year-old. Among some memorable lines in this drama you're told that "Jesus puts desires in your heart" - this is when I actually paused the movie to reflect on my own life decisions, when you look at your own, sometimes unexpected, but morally driven choices it all starts making sense. The Jeremiah 10:23 quote: "It is not up to the man who walks to direct his steps" reverberates through the movie. Putting your fate in the hands of God is a totally different approach to life than atheists'. The way the girl's aunt sees it, nuns hide away from the world scared. At the same time it's her who, subtly yet manipulatively, denies the girl her freedom of choice. The film also insightfully and realistically depicts how nuns live which made me ponder whether I could accept and even want such a lifestyle. While I quickly came to the conclusion I couldn't, the point of no wastefulness really appeals to me - it's so environmentlly friendly. On the other hand, it also highlights how we're spoilt by excess every day and the big question is: can we do without it all? Sadly this Spanish Oscar candidate wasn't lucky enough to be shortlisted.

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

ARRETE AVEC TES MENSONGES (LIE WITH ME)

Recommended. Gripping plot, exciting, keeping you in suspense, deeply touching and thought-provoking when you realise the first love leaves an indelible mark and one becomes aware it was love sometimes only in hindsight. It's also about how destructive it can be. Love so powerful, even if unspoken, that you see through the person, you know them better than they know themselves. When a circumstantial division splits the lovers' roads it's profound, the tragedy of being in love rings painfully true. On the sidelines the movie conveys a message that ideas divide, music unites.

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

AFRYKAMERA 2023 ONLINE

BURKINA BABES

Watchable. This short documentary photo essay doesn't say much new other than the fact Burkina Faso bikes, usually motorbikes, are often ridden by women.

INDLELA YOKUPHILA: THE SOUL'S JOURNEY

Watchable. Zulu mythology turns out to be very environmental in this short animation which looks evocative yet too purple for an ocean.

PRAYERS FOR SWEET WATERS

Watchable. A quiet documentary on transgender sex workers in Cape Town. The first story is a bit interesting since her remote American client cared about her so much he paid for her hotel when she had nowhere to live. Other ones are just expressions of hope for the future. 

And that was when VOD Warszawa failed again. It was't just the slight stutter of the films but their disappearance from the website where they were supposed to be available for pass holders for 5 days longer. 

NENEH SUPERSTAR

Recommended. The position of blacks, especially black children in France through the prism of a ballet school. This gripping tale digs deep into the systemic bias of the opera and bullying by privileged white kids, on top of the school physical demands. A dancer is going to be in pain all her life, as one of the teachers remarks, a black dance student faces extra challenges. And instead of adults' support, she's branded aggressive for self-defence. Smartly depicted. Music changes genres, just as the black girl moves cultures between the school and her home and mates. A riveting song accompanies the end credits.

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

CZAS NA POGODE (A TIME FOR SUMMER)

Switched off. A typical slow-paced Polish drama where people are poor, mourn their dead, are depressed. Worst of all, there's nothing to look forward to in the action. 

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

LE GRAND CHARIOT (THE PLOUGH)

Walked out. No clear storyline, instead lots of talking about Femen activism, about puppetry and puppet shows for children, mourning after a deceased close one, another one demented.