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Soviet Hippies, directed by Terje Toomistu, ‘Lenin vs. Lennon’ – UK
Premiere via Dash Arts Continue Reading »
7 November 2019
The Ponds by Patrick McLennan & Samuel Smith - coming at Art House Crouch End
by Benjamin Hollis
“The Ponds” meets the Londoners whose lives have been changed by outdoor swimming
Visit Hampstead Heath in North London at the summer’s peak and you’ll see hundreds of sun-seeking locals swimming in the park’s ponds. Although that quintessential image will be familiar to many Londoners, few know that the ponds continue to draw regulars throughout the winter.
“The Ponds” is a yearlong study of the motley crew that religiously swims in the Hampstead Heath ponds every day, come rain, shine or even (...) Continue Reading »
2 November 2019
Nightcleaners at Bertha DocHouse
by Benjamin Hollis
Nightcleaners – An oddity of its time that captures the British working class struggle of the early 1970s
« Nightcleaners » is an early 70s observational account of London’s female office cleaners embroiled in an arduous struggle for fair pay and fair treatment by their male and middle-class bosses. The film has an admirable grip on the public conscience, garnering sustained attention from activists and doc-lovers alike over the years and prompting a well-received screening at Bertha Dochouse (...) Continue Reading »
16 October 2019
Lynn+Lucy, dir. by Fyzal Boulifa - LFF 2019
by Anne-Sophie Marie
The Mayfair Hotel, where I’m about to meet Lynn + Lucy writer and director Fyza Boulifa and newcomer Roxanne Scrimshaw (Lynn), seems very far away from the film’s environment. Set in Harlow, the subtly dark and beautifully acted narrative follows two young mothers who have also been best friends all their lives, in spite (or maybe because of) their very different personas: Lucy the party animal, Lynn almost the wallflower. But when a tragic accident occurs and the local community reacts, (...) Continue Reading »
Strange Cities Are Familiar, Dir. Saeed Taji Farouky
At once lyrical and political, this film centres on a beautifully understated performance by Mohammad Bakri as Ashraf, a refugee living in London who is unable to return to Palestine to be with his dying son. Ashraf is both stern and tender as the London landscape around him transforms into scenes from his past life and the imagined sufferings of his son in the present. Featuring a brilliant use of sound from the outset the film is (...) Continue Reading »
Walled Citizen is a documentary by Palestinian filmmaker Sameer M Qumsiyeh in which he attempts to backpack around the world with a Palestinian passport, basically making him persona non grata at customs everywhere. Sameer goes beyond his own personal experience to explore the wider world and concept of travelling and speaks to seasoned backpackers and fellow Palestinians reflecting on the fact that year after year they welcome well-meaning international globe-trotters, who enjoy more (...) Continue Reading »
Filmmaker Claire Belhassime unbelievably randomly finds out that her grandfather is none other than legendary Tunisian singer Hedi Jouini. As she decides to retrace his life, she uncovers both Hedi’s role in political and social movements and Tunisia’s art scene and secrets and drama at the very heart of her family, shedding light on why his real identity was kept hidden. Even if you’ve never heard of Hedi Jouini, Belhassine’s thoroughly engaging storytelling skills and her expert use of (...) Continue Reading »
23 September 2019
Our pick of Arab docs 1
by Abla Kandalaft
We’ve been watching recently - and not quite yet - released documentaries by Arab filmmakers. We’ll be posting our picks and where to find them in the next few days and weeks, starting with the below.
Counting Tiles, dir. Cynthia Choucair
Lebanese filmmaker Cynthia Choucair travels to the Greek island of Lesvos with her sister, a member of Clowns Without Borders, volunteers who seek to bring a bit of laughter and levity to the refugees that have ended up there. Once they arrive on the (...) Continue Reading »
A cook serves exotic dishes to his hungry, impatient guests. Suddenly the arrival of a mysterious Asian woman re-ignites their insatiable appetite.
Mila Zuo’s atmospheric short is incredibly rich in symbolism and references, conscious or not - from Lynch to Fruit Chan’s dumplings.
This short is brought to us by the fab horror film platform @WatchALTER. There’s a whole treasure trove on their Youtube (...) Continue Reading »
27 June 2019
Support The Girls by Andrew Bujalski
by Ania D. Brett
COMING OUT TOMORROW Excellent statement on the dynamic of precarious work and the women taking it on - SUPPORT THE GIRLS by Andrew Bujalski
SUPPORT THE GIRLS follows Lisa (Regina Hall), the general manager at Double Whammies, a highway-side ‘sports bar with curves’, who has her normally unstoppable optimism and faith – in her girls, her customers, and herself – tested over the course of a long, strange day.
Double Whammies, a low-budget Hooters, is a typical sports bar and “brestaurant” (...) Continue Reading »
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