Contributor Sophie Monks Kaufman

Two people, a woman and a man, engaged in conversation at a desk.
In Praise Of

My Comfort Blanket Movie: Music and Lyrics

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Sophie Monks Kaufman sings the praises of Marc Lawrence’s pop hit of a rom-com from 2007.
Silhouetted figure sitting in a chair, holding a mobile device, in a dimly lit room with curtains and books visible.
Festivals

The Woman Who Ran – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

A woman catches up with three close friends in this charming situational drama from South Korea’s Hong Sang-soo.
Night-time scene with people in military uniforms and a dog, gathered around a campfire on snowy ground.
Festivals

Siberia – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Abel Ferrara sends Willem Dafoe off into the snowy wilds of Russia in this punishing metaphysical dream.
A person with curly red hair wearing a black jacket, standing in front of a busy, abstract background with various shapes and colours.
Festivals

Undine – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

An ancient myth underpins German director Christian Petzold’s wishy-washy romantic drama.
Blond woman with windswept hair in a blue and yellow top, against a grassy field background.
Festivals

Anne at 13,000 Feet – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

There’s shades of John Cassavetes in Canadian writer/director Kazik Radwanski’s elevated character study.
A man in a black bowler hat and coat stands in a forest, silhouetted against the warm autumn light.
Festivals

First Cow – first look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Kelly Reichardt trains her meticulous eye on 1820s Oregon in this sublime companion piece to 2006’s Old Joy.
Autumn trees, people on a wooden dock, cow walking across the dock in a lakeside setting.
Festivals

Kelly Reichardt and Sally Potter are heading to the 2020 Berlinale

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

They’ll be joined by Abel Ferrara and Tsai Ming-liang when the festival kicks off in February.
Colourful, psychedelic glasses on person's face against a backdrop of vibrant, blurred lights.
Not Movies

Sex Education and the search for truer pleasures

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Laurie Nunn’s consistently funny, wonderfully acted series offers so much more than shallow titillation.
Dusk setting, silhouetted buildings and trees, two people sitting on steps.
Review

Midnight Traveler

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Afghan director Hassan Fazili documents his family’s persecution at the hands of the Taliban.

3
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Group of men with heads bowed, appearing to pray or reflect solemnly.
Review

A Hidden Life

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Private, unseen protest forges a spiritual path to God in Terrence Malick’s rhapsodic resistance drama.

5
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect

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