2024-11-13 06:39:00
Love at first sight
No Other Land by Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Hamdan Ballal
Filmed between 2019 and 2023 in the West Bank, the documentary co-written by an Israeli-Palestinian quartet tells the story of the courageous resistance of the inhabitants of Masafer Yatta, suffocated by the colonization of the Jewish state. Read our review
No Other Land by Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Hamdan Ballal. 1h35
«Good One» by India Donaldson
In a modest and successful first feature film, India Donaldson takes the viewer on a weekend of hiking. Read our review
“Good One” by India Donaldson with Lily Collias, James LeGros, Danny McCarthy… 1h30.
«Namibian Desert» by Yoko Yamanaka
Yoko Yamanaka’s second feature film carefully outlines the daily life of a carefree young woman who gradually slides towards strangeness and psychosis. Read our review
Namibian Desert by Yoko Yamanaka, avec Yumi Kawai, Daichi Kaneko… 2h17.
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«Gladiator 2» by Ridley Scott
Twenty-four years after the first work, Ridley Scott gives a sequel to his epic, increasingly dedicated to superiority. On the program, baptism of muscles for Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington above the fray. Read our review
Gladiator 2 by Ridley Scott with Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington… 2h30.
“The Kingdom” by Julien Colonna
The son of an industry figure spins a neurotic story about a father and his daughter at the heart of the mafia, but struggles to distinguish between admiration and rejection. Read our review
The Kingdom of Julien Colonna with Ghjuanna Benedetti, Saveriu Santucci, Anthony Morganti… 1h48.
“A missing part” by Guillaume Senez
In this poorly constructed feature film, Romain Duris searches for his daughter in a taxi on the streets of Tokyo. Read our review
A Missing Part by Guillaume Senez, with Romain Duris, Judith Chemla, Mei Cirne-Masuki, 1h38.
“The Valley of Fools” by Xavier Beauvois
Xavier Beauvois’ film, in which Jean-Paul Rouve plays an alcoholic father who embarks on a Vendée Globe from his garden, is full of banalities. Read our review
“Valley of Fools” by Xavier Beauvois with Jean-Paul Rouve, Pierre Richard, Madeleine Beauvois… 2 hours.
And also…
“Remembering a City” by Jean-Gabriel Périot
The director brings together images taken during the siege of the city in the 1990s with sequences shot three decades later in the same locations. A welcome but sometimes redundant archival work. Read our review
“Remembering a city” by Jean-Gabriel Périot (1h48).
Interview: Exploring Cinematic Narratives with Film Expert Jane Doe
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Jane, to our special segment on this week’s significant film releases. It’s always a pleasure to have you here.
Jane Doe (JD): Thank you! It’s great to be with you and discuss these compelling stories.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. One of the standout films this week is “No Other Land” by Basel Adra and his collaborators. It’s a documentary set in the West Bank, focusing on the resistance of the Masafer Yatta community. How do you think this film contributes to the current discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
JD: “No Other Land” is incredibly significant as it humanizes the narratives often overshadowed by political rhetoric. By showcasing the everyday lives and struggles of the residents, it provides a powerful counter-narrative to mainstream media portrayals. The personal stories told in this film evoke empathy, urging audiences to consider the human costs of geopolitical conflicts.
TNE: That sounds quite impactful. Moving on, we have “Good One” by India Donaldson, which takes a more subdued, personal approach. It’s described as a weekend hiking journey. What can audiences expect from this film?
JD: “Good One” is a breath of fresh air in its simplicity. It’s not just about the physical journey through nature but also about self-discovery and relationships. Donaldson’s approach captures the nuances of personal experiences, and viewers will likely find themselves reflecting on their own lives amid the backdrop of scenic hiking.
TNE: That’s a nice contrast! Now, “Namibian Desert” by Yoko Yamanaka delves into the psychological realm. Can you shed some light on how this film tackles themes of identity and mental health?
JD: “Namibian Desert” intricately portrays the journey of a young woman spiraling into psychosis. Yamanaka’s storytelling is compelling; it delves into how daily life can lead to a gradual loss of oneself. The film does not shy away from the darker aspects of mental health, making it a brave exploration of identity crises that many can relate to, especially in our fast-paced world.
TNE: We can certainly see the diversity in this week’s lineup. Now, let’s discuss “Gladiator 2” by Ridley Scott. After 24 years, what are your expectations for this sequel?
JD: Expectations are sky-high, considering how iconic the first film was. Scott’s ability to weave epic storytelling with deep character development will be put to the test. I’m particularly interested in how he will manage to capture the essence of the original while introducing new dynamics, especially with such a star-studded cast like Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington.
TNE: True! Lastly, “The Kingdom” by Julien Colonna seems to provide a different angle with its mafia narrative. How crucial is it for films like this to explore the intricacies of family relationships within the context of crime?
JD: Family dynamics are often at the heart of crime narratives, and “The Kingdom” appears to highlight that duality of admiration and rejection within a mafia context. It’s fascinating to see how loyalty and treachery can coexist in familial bonds, and Colonna’s exploration of this theme could resonate with viewers, reflecting real struggles in relationships that are often glamorized or oversimplified in mainstream media.
TNE: Thank you, Jane, for sharing your insights on these films. Each offers a unique perspective and invites audiences to think critically about the stories being told.
JD: My pleasure! I look forward to seeing how audiences respond to these diverse narratives. They each have something valuable to offer.
TNE: Absolutely, and thank you to our readers for joining us in this cinematic exploration. Don’t forget to check out these films and engage in the conversations they spark!