Movie reviews

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 animationwhich 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.