Contributions from Phil Concannon | Little White Lies

Contributor Phil Concannon

Three individuals, a man and two women, seated in a car.
Review

Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat review – a sprawling geopolitical tapestry

by Phil Concannon

Johan Gri­mon­prez’s doc­u­men­tary explores the cir­cum­stances that led two Amer­i­can jazz musi­cians to crash the UN Secu­ri­ty Coun­cil in protest against the mur­der of Con­golese leader Patrice Lumumba.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two young African children, a boy and a girl, looking thoughtful.
Review

Tori and Lokita

by Phil Concannon

The Dar­d­enne broth­ers return with a har­row­ing sto­ry of human traf­fick­ing in Bel­gium, cen­tring on two young migrants.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people, one adult and one child, in formal attire, with the adult embracing the child in a comforting gesture.
Review

By the Grace of God

by Phil Concannon

François Ozon serves up his answer to Spot­light in this sober­ing study of sex­u­al abuse in the Catholic church.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Elderly man in white medical uniform with serious facial expression.
Review

Apollo 11

by Phil Concannon

Half a cen­tu­ry on from mankind’s giant leap, this doc­u­men­tary brings the mis­sion back to life in stun­ning clarity.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Cartoon character with large eyes and a suited appearance sitting at a cluttered desk.
Review

Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story

by Phil Concannon

This play­ful doc­u­men­tary pays trib­ute to the eccen­tric com­e­dy stylings of Frank Sidebottom.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people in dark coats sit on rocks in a forested setting, with one person operating a large camera.
Review

Bergman: A year in a Life

by Phil Concannon

This con­sum­mate doc­u­men­tary sheds new light on the life and career of the late Swedish master.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Nude figure of a person crouching on a beach, shown in black and white.
Review

Lek and the Dogs

by Phil Concannon

Mav­er­ick British film­mak­er Andrew Kötting serves up anoth­er remark­able audio-visu­al experience.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A close-up illustration of a woman with short dark hair, wearing a leather jacket, against a vibrant pink and blue background with streaks of light.
Interviews

Daniela Vega: ‘Trans people have existed for as long as humans have’

by Phil Concannon

The Chilean star of Sebastián Lelio’s A Fan­tas­tic Woman offers her take on the film’s pow­er­ful message.
Two men with female companions in an audience.
Review

Brad’s Status

by Phil Concannon

Ben Stiller play­ing anoth­er self-pity­ing white dude? Yes, but this is thought-pro­vok­ing and reward­ing comedy.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man with a grey beard wearing a hat and gloves, gesturing with his hand in a dimly lit environment.
In Praise Of

In praise of Orson Welles’ F For Fake

by Phil Concannon

Come and see the mae­stro’s final big trick on a 35mm print at the ICA cin­e­ma with MUBI and Lit­tle White Lies.
Older woman and younger man seated at a table, looking at each other, with food and drink on the table in front of them.
Review

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

by Phil Concannon

Annette Ben­ing and Jamie Bell prove a like­able pair­ing in this oth­er­wise bland Glo­ria Gra­hame biopic.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Man in a dark suit sitting on a sofa, looking thoughtful.
Review

Marjorie Prime

by Phil Concannon

Michael Almerey­da writes and directs this absorb­ing sci-fi themed med­i­ta­tion on loss and memory.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect