North America

Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America

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Dadli (Antigua & Barbuda) – A Brief Immersion into Hidden Island Life

Dadli

Dadli Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Dadli features a boy’s narrative over a montage of shots of Antiguan life. It’s a brief but incredibly immersive 15 minutes in Antigua & Barbuda that any fans of Jonas Mekas and Khalil Joseph should love.

From: Antigua & Barbuda, North America
Watch: Vimeo, IMDb
Next: Process, Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania, Right Near the Beach

Dadli – The Breakdown

Dadli is short, but it doesn’t need time to build its beautifully immersive aesthetic. The quick editing and dulled diegetic sound (the music and narrative are the focus in this film) don’t allow you to think of anything else apart from the images and atmospheric sounds you are hearing, whilst the natural home video style texture of the film – which is taken to the next level with the cinematography – and the mid to close range shots draw you in further. This combination of techniques makes it feel both immersive and intimate – as if you are experiencing a Fast-Forwarded snippet of life on the island. The texture of the film even sweats the close-mugginess of the night, the warm melancholy of the sunsets, and laid back vibrancy of daytime. It feels like you’re there. Whilst other movies capture island life over the course of a feature film, Dadli manages to do it in a compact 15 minutes.

The young boy’s narrative is what separates the immersive style of Dadli from Khalil Joseph’s art-films and music videos. He’s a kid playing an adult – with no role models or parents. He talks of murder, drugs, and poverty, giving us an ‘underground tour’ of the island. However, his narrative never feels completely believable, which makes the film feel like it could be a twisted fantasy or exaggerated memory (of the brief adult narration) instead of a harsh reality. The fleeting shots of the montage helps to blur the distinction between fantasy and reality, turning it into an even more trance-like, immersive experience.

If you’re a fan of movies that use sound and editing to immerse viewers into an environment, you should watch Dadli. It creates a feeling of life on Antigua that you probably wouldn’t experience as a tourist or visitor.

What to Watch Next

For more immersive films that rely on sound, check out Khalil Joseph’s catalogue of music films such as Process (featuring Sampha) and Good Kid m.A.A.d City (featuring Kendrick Lamar). Both, like Dadli create a strong sense of place through the editing and sound of their movies.

You could also try the films of Jonas Mekas, such as Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania and Lost, Lost, Lost. These films use home-video style footage and quick editing to immerse viewers into the narrators stories.

Or for more immersive editing from the Caribbean, try Jamaica’s Right Near the Beach.

67

Finished Narcos? Here’s 8 Drug War Films You Need to Watch

If you’ve finished Narcos and are already experiencing withdrawal symptoms here’s 8 Drug War films you need to watch!

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Yes, you might have finished Narcos already but there are plenty of great drug war films which more than stack up to the series. If you’ve seen all the eight films below and want more recommendations leave a comment or email me here. If you haven’t seen any of the films below or Narcos, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do! No time like the present.

8. Scarface

Scarface: the old classic. It’s full of recognizable quotes and has a hit performance from Al Pacino. There’s plenty of violence, hard drugs, and strong language.

7. Sicario

Sicario: the modern classic. It takes place on the streets of the once murder capital of the world, Juarez, Mexico. You’ll see a group of FBI agents sent to the border town to try and take down the dominant drug cartel. The last scene is a nail biter.

6. Miss Bala

Miss Bala is a brutal portrayal of the Mexican drug war. The film is loosely based on the true story of 2012’s Miss Sinaloa who was arrested with suspected cartel members. It’s definitely not a happy film.

5. Maria Full of Grace

This Colombian film is the ultimate film about the perils of drug smuggling. In fact the performance from actress Catalina Sandino Moreno is so eerily convincing she was nominated for an Oscar.

4. City of God

One of the best films made ever. City of God tells the story of Rocket and Lil Ze, one becomes a drug lord, the other becomes a photographer trying to make it amidst all the turf wars. The fast paced editing and narrative are exactly what you want following Narcos. And don’t trust this strange 90s-esque trailer.

3. El Infierno

Aha! Unless you’re a drug war film pro you’ve probably never heard of this film. And if you haven’t heard of it you are missing out. It’s the best drug-war comedy in existence. It satirises the narcos, the police, and the government, Luis Estrada (the director) holds everyone accountable. And, as an added bonus, the main character is played by Narcos Drug Lord Gilberto Orejuela.

2. Traffic

Traffic is the best American Drug War film. It has an incredible cast: Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. In addition, it’s broken into 3 storylines: one following a policeman in Mexico, another with DEA agents tracking a don, and another with the drug czar of the U.S. and his junkie daughter.

1. Elite Squad

Last but not least, here’s my favourite, the Brazilian Elite Squad. First thing you should notice is the main actor is the same guy that plays Pablo Escobar (yes Spanish is not his native language). Second you’ll notice that he’s on the other side – he’s playing a cop! It’s also directed by the same guy that directed Narcos. Three things which combine to make the ultimate substitute to Narcos! Plus the sequel is even better than the first!

 

 

 

 

 

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Pornomelancholia – Outfest Los Angeles 2023

Pornomelancholia

Pornomelancholia is a slow paced character study of a up-and-coming porn star navigating the Mexican porn industry. It has plenty of dry humor and an underlying commentary on social media culture.

The film starts with a mid-range shot of Lalo standing alone by a busy street in the city. People walk past him and cars pass behind him as we watch him peer around. It seems like he’s waiting for someone or taking a breather in a chaotic day. However, before the shot lingers further, Lalo breaks down into a soft sob as the title credits pop up: Pornomelancholia. It’s a prelude for the critique of superficial influencer-culture that Lalo uses to make his way into the porn industry.

Lalo is portrayed as a lonely man parading as a popular sex icon. His Instagram videos hide the fact that he works in a small factory with two other people that he hardly talks to. His confidence in his sexuality online contradicts his inability to come out to his family – shown in the rehearsed voice messages he can’t bring himself to send to his mother. It follows films such as Sweat in showing that the digital lives promoted by influencers don’t always reflect reality.

Despite the underlying commentary, there is dry humor in Pornomelancholia. This is probably the only film that you can watch that is built around a Zapata led Mexican revolution porn film. It also probably runs on for too much of the film, but the pornographic shots, which linger for more than expected are designed to make you awkwardly uncomfortable (like Lalo himself). The sex scenes are provocative, but not as outrightly as another Mexican festival film – Battle in Heaven.

Overall, if you’re looking for a slow-paced festival film that follows a gay man working his way into the porn industry, Pornomelancholia is worth a watch. Whilst the culture fostered by the industry and Lalo is portrayed as fake, his journey feels unique, real and believable.

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Geographies of Solitude – AFI Fest 2022

Geographies of Solitude

Geographies of Solitude has many impressive shots of Nova Scotia’s Sable Island, a remote island almost 200 miles off the Canadian coast in the Atlantic Ocean. It starts with one of the most memorable shots, a night sky with more stars than you’ve likely ever seen in the sky before. The sheer number of stars makes the shot appear like an impressionistic painting, and the light is so bright, you even get to see a very clear silhouette of a person walking across the horizon. It’s an almost ASMR-type experience watching the opening with its complimentary ambient soundscape. It feels like you could watch the whole film without dialogue as the images and sound lull you into a trance, that it’s a surprise when there’s speech and we’re introduced to Zoe.

Zoe has been living on the island for over 40 years, mostly alone. We follow her as she explores the 12 square mile island every day to log any changes in the environment. She carries a kit with sampling pots and a notepad to capture anything new and log anything different she might see. Some days she might find a dead bird and on others she might encounter a new insect she hasn’t seen before, however, most days are repetitive logging exercises that track very small changes on the island. Despite the beautiful remote location, Zoe’s existence feels very monotonous and lonely.

The filmmaker, Jacquelyn Mills, takes the filmmaking to similarly exhaustive levels. Almost everything is shot using 16mm film, some of which is processed with a variety of experimental methods such as with peat, yarrow, and seaweed. Mills also pushes the soundtrack to the extreme with insect inspired melodies – literally music created to the steps of the local bugs. Both fit the subject of the documentary, as the experimental filmmaking matches Zoe’s own scientific experiments. However, the experimenting feels too exhaustive. There’s so much experimenting, it feels like the point of the experiments in the first place has been forgotten.

There’s a moment near the end of Geographies of Solitude in which Zoe questions the meaning of her own life. Her answer is a little melancholic as she seems to express doubt about her choice to live on the island for 40 years. She wonders if she’s stretched her life too long on the island and spent too much time away from everything else. The film feels a bit similar. The filmmakers have gone to extraordinary levels to make something unique – soaking film in peat and making music from bugs, but like Zoe’s endless logging, what is the point. Despite the beautiful location and beautiful shots, Geographies of Solitude is imbued with a melancholy for the futility of it all.

Head to our AFI Fest 2022 Hub for more reviews from AFI Fest 2022.

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OSCAR Predictions 2018 – Who Will Win & Who Should Win

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Oscar Predictions 2018

With the Academy Awards only 2 days away, I thought I’d throw my hat into the prediction ring. So here are my predictions for who will win, as well as my thoughts on who should win.

We’ve also made a 2018 Oscars Nominee Viewing Guide which shows you where to watch each of the Oscar nominees (on Amazon, at the Cinema, and even Netflix). And scroll to the bottom to fill out your predictions for a chance to win a surprise Blu-Ray DVD from 2018.

So here we go, here are the predictions. Feel free to tear into them on Sunday night/Monday morning!

Best Actor

Is this one really as ‘easy’ as everyone thinks? Gary Oldman has already scooped up the SAG and BAFTA top prizes and his role fits exactly what the Academy Award loves: historical figures, transformations, and of course, good acting. But the Academy also loves Daniel Day Lewis (3 career wins already), and Timothee Chalamet has what is probably the best performance of the category, maybe even the whole acting category. Which is why I’m going for the upset. Although Gary Oldman deserves a career Oscar and his performance in Darkest Hour is good, Timothee Chalamet’s performance was excellent. Therefore I’m predicting he will be the deserving winner of the Best Actor award.

Should Win: Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

Will Win: Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

Best Actress

After the upset call in the Best Actor category, I’m playing it safe in The Best Actress category. Frances MacDormand has already won the top awards at the SAG and BAFTA ceremonies and is brilliant in her role. I can only see another candidate winning if critics are pan Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri  and all their actors are damaged as a result. Only then could the equally deserving, Saoirse Ronan sneak in for the win.

Should Win: Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

Will Win: Frances MacDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actor

There’s only one former winner in the Best Supporting Actor category and that’s latecomer Christopher Plummer. But if things go as expected, this will be another win for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Not for Woody Harrelson, who was also nominated, but for Sam Rockwell. His biggest challenger is Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project (which you should go watch). We marginally prefer Willem Dafoe’s role, but we’re not going to complain if Sam Rockwell wins as both acted their roles perfectly.

Should Win: Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

Will Win: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Supporting Actress

Another acting category and another ‘upset’. Whilst the talk has mostly focused on Allison Janney’s mean mum, I think Laurie Metcalf’s mean mum will win this one. Allison Janney has the more memorable role, and acts well, but I think Laurie Metcalf’s performance was better. Just think of that scene in the car. And if you don’t know what scene I’m talking about you haven’t watched the film… so go watch it!

Should Win: Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

Will Win: Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird

Best Director

This one is up for grabs. Whilst Guillermo Del Toro has won at the Director’s Guild, Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson are both admired in the industry. I wouldn’t even rule out first-timers Jordan Peele and Greta Gertwig. That being said, I’m backing Guillermo Del Toro to make it 4 out of 5 for Mexico in the Best Director category after Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity in 2014 and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for Birdman 2015 and The Revenant 2016).

Should Win: Guillermo Del Toro

Will Win: Guillermo Del Toro

Best Picture

Moonlight surprised La La Land last year, and Spotlight surprised The Revenant two years ago. That makes 2 surprises in the last 2 years. Which is why I’m not going for Shape of Water. It’s a great film, but it’s a too recognisable. For me it had the feel of a R-rated Disney film (if ever there was one).  Which leaves three options for me: 1. Call Me By Your Name, 2. Lady Bird, and 3. Get Out.

Whilst I would love to see Call Me By Your Name win, I think the Academy ruled it out when it didn’t nominate Luca Guadagnino for Best Director. That leaves Lady Bird and Get Out. Both have run good campaigns, generating a lot of word of mouth. However, whilst Lady Bird might be the slightly better made film, Get Out is the more unique and memorable. Therefore I’m going for Get Out to surprise everyone and become the first pseudo horror film to win since The Silence of the Lambs in 1991.

Should Win: Call Me By Your Name

Will Win: Get Out

Best of the Rest

Here’s the rest of my predictions – definitely don’t trust me on the short films!

  • Best Animated Feature: Coco
  • Beat Documentary: Faces Places
  • Best Foreign Language Film: The Insult
  • Best Cinematography: Bladerunner 2049
  • Best Adapted Screenplay: Call Me By Your Name
  • Best Original Screenplay: Lady Bird
  • Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread
  • Best Film Editing: Dunkirk
  • Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Darkest Hour
  • Best Original Score: The Shape of Water
  • Best Original Song: “Remember Me” from Coco
  • Best Production Design: The Shape of Water
  • Best Short Film: DeKalb Elementary
  • Best Short Animation: Dear Basketball
  • Best Documentary Short: Heroin(e)
  • Best Sound Editing: Dunkirk
  • Best Sound Mixing: Dunkirk
  • Best Visual Effects: War for the Planet of the Apes

What Next?

Also while you’re here: