Contributions from Sophie Monks Kaufman | Little White Lies

Contributor Sophie Monks Kaufman

Person in red coat and another person in the background on rocky terrain.
Festivals

Happy as Lazzaro – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Alice Rohrwach­er brings a touch of rus­tic mag­i­cal real­ism to Cannes with an enig­mat­ic film about a young Ital­ian farmhand.
Shirtless person with curly hair holding a gun while sitting on a bed with colourful bedding.
Festivals

L’Ange – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Luis Ortega’s por­trait of a real-life Argen­tin­ian ser­i­al killer makes for a fas­ci­nat­ing char­ac­ter study.
Two people, a man and a woman, wearing sunglasses and standing together in a crowded urban setting, captured in a black and white photograph.
Festivals

Summer (Leto) – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

This shape­less, dra­ma-free dirge through the rock scene in 1980s Leningrad has no place in the Cannes competition.
Two people lying on the floor, embracing each other intimately.

How to write a film score for an intimate character study

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

British com­pos­er Jim Williams dis­cuss­es his work on Raw and Beast.
Two people, a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a man in a white shirt, standing and conversing outdoors against a blurred, natural background.
In Praise Of

The serene, sophisticated beauty of Claire Denis’ Chocolat

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

The French writer/director’s debut fea­ture from 1988 is an ele­gant, per­fect­ly poised char­ac­ter study.
A woman with curly blonde hair holding a book titled "Etta James at last!" against a warm orange background.
Interviews

Claire Denis on how Etta James inspired Let the Sunshine In

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

One of great­est direc­tors work­ing today picks apart the roman­tic games­man­ship of her won­der­ful latest.
Close-up of a person's open mouth, with vibrant red lips against a striking blue background.
Festivals

Look out for this subtle and furious study of queer loneliness

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

A teen fights for his soul in Brazil­ian char­ac­ter study Hard Paint, which screened at this year’s BFI Flare.
Group of protesters marching, some holding signs, against a vibrant pink background.
Review

120 Beats Per Minute

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Robin Campillo’s stir­ring AIDS activist dra­ma is a vital reminder of the pow­er of protest.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
An illustration depicting a cluttered workbench with various tools and instruments. A person with a pensive expression is seated at the table, surrounded by the diverse array of objects.
Interviews

Wes Anderson: ‘I wanted language to play a role without it becoming an obstacle’

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

The US writer/​director takes us inside his spell­bind­ing stop-motion opus Isle of Dogs.
A close-up portrait of a man with a serious expression, his face illuminated by warm tones.
Review

Mom and Dad

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Nico­las Cage and Sel­ma Blair are struck by mass hys­te­ria in this lunatic hor­ror-thriller from direc­tor Bri­an Taylor.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect