Contributor Marina Ashioti

Four young people standing on a wooden deck in front of a white building, surrounded by trees.
Review

Afire review – Petzold taps into his inner Rohmer

by Marina Ashioti

Christian Petzold returns with something lighter, funnier and more instantly-lovable than his recent run, bringing regular leading lady Paula Beer along for the ride.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Curly-haired person looking pensive in a crowded urban setting.
Festivals

Baan – first-look review

by Marina Ashioti

In Leonor Teles's enigmatic second feature, spatial experimentation becomes geographic gap-bridging material.
A woman in a white coat stands in a dimly lit room, with others behind her wearing similar clothing.
Festivals

Sweet Dreams – first-look review

by Marina Ashioti

Ena Sendijarević hits the sweet spot with this offbeat, surreal period piece set on a remote Indonesian island.
Two women dancing in a nightclub, illuminated by colourful strobe lights.
Festivals

Animal – first-look review

by Marina Ashioti

Dimitra Vlagopoulou gives a knockout performance in Sofia Exarchou's resort-set second feature about a group of seasonal performers.
Monochrome image of a person lying on a plaid fabric, clutching a large stuffed toy. Dramatic lighting casts strong shadows.
Review

Kokomo City review – an impressively stylish debut

by Marina Ashioti

D Smith's lively documentary offers a bold exploration of transness, womanhood, Blackness and the sex industry.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Group of women on stage, performing under neon infinity symbol. Vibrant pink and purple lighting.
Review

Medusa

by Marina Ashioti

A blend of horror and satire unveiling the violent paradoxes of religious hypocrisy and aesthetic expectations.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two women relaxing on large pink inflatable rings in a swimming pool.
Review

Shabu

by Marina Ashioti

A teenager from Rotterdam attempts to make amends for totalling his grandmother’s car in Shamira Raphaëla’s fun, uplifting documentary.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people sitting in a vehicle on a beach at sunset, one wearing a patterned scarf and sunglasses, the other looking out the window.
Review

The Damned Don’t Cry

by Marina Ashioti

Fyzal Boulifa’s second feature bears witness to the the dysfunctional bond between a mother-son duo as they drift through urban Morocco.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two young people, a woman and a man, sitting on a bench and laughing together at a fair or carnival.
Review

No Hard Feelings

by Marina Ashioti

Jennifer Lawrence stars as a woman hired to “date” a wealthy couple’s introverted son in Gene Stupnitsky's unfunny comedy.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Silhouetted figure on stage amid colourful, fiery stage lights and crowd.
Review

My Imaginary Country

by Marina Ashioti

A new vital work by Patricio Guzmán sees the documentary veteran turn his gaze towards a new generation of Chilean revolutionaries.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect

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