The Great Escaper

Sometimes, I happen to like the production story of a film more than the film itself, and that was the case with “The Great Escaper,” released in 2023. The film portrays an 89-year-old Second World War veteran’s escape from a care home in the UK to attend the 70th-anniversary commemorations of D-Day in France. Co-produced by the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden, the movie is directed by Oliver Parker and written by William Ivory. It drew inspiration from the real-life incident of Second World War Veteran Bernard Jordan, whose escapade from his East Sussex care home made headlines in 2014.

Continue reading “The Great Escaper” →
0

Without Air

What if an idealistic high school teacher’s recommendation of a film to her students resulted in a complaint to the school management? And what happens if that seemingly trivial incident gets out of control and turns into a witch hunt? Hungarian director Katalin Moldavai explores these questions in her feature debut, “Without Air,” offering timely messages about freedom of expression amidst themes of political oppression, cultural conservatism, and the erosion of the education system.

Continue reading “Without Air” →
0

It’s like a debt owed to my younger self

Yesterday was a particularly special day for me as I had the opportunity to give a presentation about my Fulbright experience to students from my university. Sharing how I received the scholarship and embarked on my journey to study screenwriting in the U.S. is something I truly cherish. San Francisco immediately captured my heart, and over the span of two years, I delighted in the experience, engaging with classmates and individuals from diverse backgrounds around the globe.

However, there was a deeper significance to giving that presentation yesterday; it felt like a debt owed to my younger self.

Continue reading “It’s like a debt owed to my younger self” →
0

King of Comedy

I hadn’t planned on celebrating Martin Scorsese’s acceptance of the Honorary Golden Bear from the Berlin International Film Festival by watching his 1982 movie, The King of Comedy, but it was leaving MUBI soon, so here we are. 😊 In a way, it seemed fitting because the film holds a special place in Scorsese’s career. Despite being the opening film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983, it was largely overlooked at the box office, earning the unfortunate title of “flop of the year” from Entertainment Tonight. It serves as a reminder that honorary awards aren’t solely reserved for those who experience constant success, but rather for those who endure the ups and downs and persist in their craft. It’s a badge of resilience more than anything else.

Continue reading “King of Comedy” →
0

Past Lives

Do you ever wonder about meeting the right person at the wrong time? Or do you think that if they were truly the right ones, timing wouldn’t really matter, and you would find a way to be together no matter what? Do you think most of our connections with people happen by chance? And could that feeling of familiarity when our eyes meet really mean we know them from our past lives, just like it’s believed in Buddhism? Should we just feel lucky that our paths crossed in this life time with someone special, even if it’s just once? The 2023 movie “Past Lives” explores these questions in an elegant, tender, and yet powerful way.

Continue reading “Past Lives” →
0

Leila’s Brothers

Picture yourself as the smartest and most courageous member of your family. You see a way out of the corner you’re all stuck in. But sadly, just because you’re a woman, your voice doesn’t count. That’s the tragedy of Leila. But as the title suggests, it’s not only Leila’s story; it’s also about her brothers.

Continue reading “Leila’s Brothers” →
0

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

Still on my quest for movies featuring older women as protagonists, I stumbled upon “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” after thoroughly enjoying “The Lady in the Van”. Let me tell you, it’s a genuine and touching film (pun not intended).

This British comedy-drama premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022. It follows a middle-aged woman who decides to hire a young sex worker to experience pleasure for the first time in her life. It’s a hot topic, for sure. 🙂

Continue reading “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” →
0

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑