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New Releases: film reviews for December 24th – From Thrillers to Ancient Dramas
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A diverse slate of films arrived in theaters on Wednesday, December 24th, offering audiences a range of cinematic experiences – from gripping adaptations of best-selling novels to poignant historical dramas and explorations of traditional art forms. Here’s a look at some of the week’s most anticipated releases, as reviewed by franceinfo Culture.
“The Maid”: A Highly Anticipated Adaptation
With over 4.5 million copies sold worldwide, including 2.3 million in France, Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel The Maid has quickly become a literary phenomenon. The eagerly awaited cinematic adaptation, starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, arrived in theaters on December 24th. The film aims to remain faithful to the novel’s twists and turns, with only minor deviations. However,Sweeney’s involvement recently sparked controversy due to her participation in an advertisement some interpreted as promoting supremacist ideologies.
“A German Childhood – island of Amrum, 1945”: A Moving Tale of Wartime Innocence
Originally envisioned as a project for hark Bohm, who penned the screenplay and the eponymous book, A German Childhood – Island of Amrum, 1945 ultimately came to fruition under the direction of Fatih Akin. Bohm, a native of the island of Amrum, was unable to physically direct the film and entrusted the story to Akin, who crafted a “moving masterpiece imbued with classicism and modesty.” The film portrays the final days of World War II through the eyes of Nanning, a 12-year-old boy.
On the remote north Sea island, the realities of war feel distant, marked only by the occasional passage of bombers and imposed restrictions. Nanning, impressively portrayed by Jasper Billerbeck, is preoccupied with providing for his family, who have sought refuge on the island to escape the advancing Allied forces. thrust into adulthood, he assumes the responsibilities of his father, a Nazi officer fighting on the Continent in a seemingly lost cause.
“The Master of Kabuki”: A Breathtaking Dive into Japanese Tradition
Director Sang-il Lee returns with The Master of Kabuki, a large-scale melodramatic adaptation of a novel by Shuichi Yoshida. the film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of kabuki, a traditional Japanese theater form, and has already achieved notable success in Japan, attracting 11 million viewers.
Set in 1964, the story centers on Kikuo, who witnesses his Yakuza leader father’s death and is subsequently discovered by Hanjiro, a renowned kabuki actor.Hanjiro takes Kikuo under his wing, initiating him into the rigorous training required to become an onnagata – an actor specializing in female roles – alongside his son, Shunzuke, the designated heir.
