Contributor Marina Ashioti

A close-up portrait of a young man with short brown hair, a thoughtful expression, and piercing blue eyes.
Review

Sebastian review – bland character study

by Marina Ashioti

A young, London-based writer begins a double life as a sex worker in Mikko Mäkelä's queer psychological drama.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people sitting on the floor surrounded by scattered papers and documents.
Review

Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other review – a portrait of love and resilience

by Marina Ashioti

The beautiful, complex bond between acclaimed photographer Joel Meyerowitz and writer/artist Maggie Barrett is the subject of this artful doc.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two individuals, a man and a woman, in a close, intimate embrace.
Review

To A Land Unknown review – a brilliantly acted tale of moral complexity

by Marina Ashioti

Two Palestinian refugees navigate the seedy underbelly of Athens in Mahdi Fleifel’s compelling fiction feature debut.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A woman with curly, dark hair adorned with crescent moon accessories, wearing a black feathered garment and staring intently at the viewer against a starry night background.
In Heaven Everything Is Fine

Light in the darkness: David Lynch’s Dune

by Marina Ashioti

David Lynch's one-time adventure in Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking would forever change him – but not his heart.
Two people, a man in glasses and a jumper, and a woman with blonde hair, standing in a room.
Review

Love Hurts review – no love, much hurts

by Marina Ashioti

Ke Huy Quan and Ariana Debose star in stunt performer Jonathan Eusebio’s Valentine’s Day-themed directorial debut.

2
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Two men seated outdoors, one with a beard, wearing coats and jumpers.
Review

Merchant Ivory review – an affectionate yet shallow biodoc

by Marina Ashioti

Stephen Soucy delves into the creative and personal partnership of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory which produced some of Britain's greatest literary adaptations.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Large green creature jumping over a black limousine in a cityscape with people standing around.
Review

Grand Theft Hamlet review – all the world’s a stage

by Marina Ashioti

A production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in online world of Grand Theft Auto became these two actors’ answer to the pandemic’s enforced lockdowns.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Young woman in pink dress posing between metallic curtains.
Review

Layla review – Bilal Hasna shines

by Marina Ashioti

This occasionally-vibrant odd couple gay relationship drama is too superficial and silly to leave a lasting mark.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Figures stand on snowy peak, dressed in grey and white clothing.
Review

A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things review – effusive ode to Willie Barns-Graham

by Marina Ashioti

Mark Cousins’ lyrical exploration into the life and work of a little-known modernist painter from Scotland.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Group of people wearing colourful cowboy hats, shirts, and dresses in a celebratory scene.
Review

Milisuthando review – an intimate, nuanced cine-essay

by Marina Ashioti

This documentary artfully explores familial love, race and belonging through the complex framework of South African history.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Large crowd of people in an auditorium or venue, black and white image.
Festivals

The Creative Nonfiction Film Weekend highlights the infinite possibilities of documentary

by Marina Ashioti

Featuring films by Joanna Arnow and Miryam Charles, the inaugural Creative Nonfiction Film Weekend at London's Genesis Cinema celebrates all the strange and creative forms that documentary films can take.
Three photographs of people, possibly from a film, displayed in a filmstrip format. The images show close-up portraits of individuals with dark, edgy hairstyles and clothing. The photographs are overlaid with colourful markings, creating a visually striking and edgy composition.
Festivals

Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands – first-look review

by Marina Ashioti

Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s informative documentary about Scotland's unsung musical pioneers strikes an impactful chord.

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