Festivals

Woman in black coat and hat walking left against pale yellow and white stone wall background.
Venice Film Festival

Duse – first-look review

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Pietro Marcello’s half-literal, half-imagined portrait of legendary Italian actress Eleonora Duse is elevated by the splendor of leading lady Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. 
Five people gathered around a laptop computer, with a bearded man in white shirt at centre holding a mobile phone.
Venice Film Festival

The Voice of Hind Rajab – first-look review

by Leila Latif

Hind Rajab’s story is almost too terrible to face, yet this masterwork from Kaouther Ben Hania demands we bear witness.
Two men in corridor, one in beige shirt covering face, other in yellow shirt behind him. Police officers in dark uniforms visible in background.
Venice Film Festival

Dead Man’s Wire – first-look review

by Leila Latif

Gus Van Sant’s thriller based on the true story of Tony Kiritsis is compelling but offers little to an already rich subgenre.
Woman in grey blazer speaking on phone in high-tech control room with multiple monitors displaying maps and data screens.
Venice Film Festival

A House of Dynamite – first-look review

by Yasmine Kandil

Kathryn Bigelow’s taut political thriller sees the US government race to respond to an impending nuclear threat.
Two women lying down, one resting head on the other's shoulder. Blue mosaic tile background. Both wearing swimwear or sleeveless tops.
Venice Film Festival

Songs of Forgotten Trees – first-look review

by Jannat Suleman

Anuparna Roy’s feature debut tackles female urban isolation with painterly visuals but an underbaked narrative.
Woman holding film clapperboard reading "E0:61:4E:51" and "MARK JACOBS" whilst man with long dark hair sits behind her.
Venice Film Festival

Marc by Sofia – first-look review

by Hannah Strong

Sofia Coppola presents an affectionate but unrevealing portrait of her friend, fashion designer Marc Jacobs.
Shirtless boxer sitting in ring corner receiving medical attention from trainer whilst another person tends to him between rounds.
Venice Film Festival

The Smashing Machine – first-look review

by Hannah Strong

Benny Safdie delivers a knock-out with Dwayne Johnson starring as UFC pioneer Mark Kerr.
Woman with long brown hair in dark bodice and brown skirt, arms raised, surrounded by crowd in period clothing in dimly lit room.
Venice Film Festival

The Testament of Ann Lee – first-look review

by Hannah Strong

Mona Fastvold’s musical account of religious leader Ann Lee and her chaste Shakers is a mesmerising but often perplexing yarn.
Crowd of people watching from hillside as group gathers around white tent in valley below, surrounded by green vegetation.
Venice Film Festival

Landmarks – first-look review

by Catherine Bray

Lucrecia Martel’s years-in-the-making documentary about the murder of an Indigenous Argentinian man starkly lays out the rigged justice system in her homeland. 
Two people in winter hats and coats face each other on snowy city street with blurred buildings and warm lights in background.
Venice Film Festival

Late Fame – first-look review

by Hannah Strong

Kent Jones’ comedy about a long-in-the-tooth poet achieving recognition for a book he wrote in his youth talks a lot but doesn’t say anything.