Drowning Dry (Seses)
In this Latvian-Lithuanian film, two couples and their kids head to a cabin in the country following a mixed martial arts fight where one of the dads, Lukas (Paulius Markevičius),…
Shoshana
Director Michael Winterbottom (The Wedding Guest, The Trip series) centers his "based on a true story" film on Shoshana Borochov (Irina Starshenbaum), a Russian-Jewish woman living in British Mandate Palestine…
There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è ancora domani)
Written and directed by and starring Paola Cortellesi, There's Still Tomorrow is a feminist dramedy that outperformed Barbie in Italy! Set in post-WWII Rome, it tells the story of Delia, a…
Porcelain War
In the current political climate there could not be a more timely film than the Oscar nominated documentary Porcelain War. It takes place in Ukraine and follows an artist couple,…
I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)
I'm Still Here is a quiet, intense, and moving political and family drama that should serve as a cautionary tale about dictatorship, authoritarianism, complicity, and resistance. It's based on the…
In the Shadow of Beirut
This beautifully made documentary takes place is what must be the most desolate slum in all of Lebanon, a country itself teetering on the edge of economic and political ruin.…
All We Imagine As Light
Set in the hectic city of Mumbai, All We Imagine as Light is a story of sisterhood. Head nurse Prabha (Kani Kusruti) lives with younger, recently hired nurse Anu (Divya…
Green Border (Zielona granica)
Agnieszka Holland is one of Poland's most distinguished directors with multiple Oscar nominations. Her most famous film is probably Europa Europa, set in WWII-era Poland. In it the protagonist is…
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
I haven't seen many (any?) films from Thailand, but this one has apparently been a "runaway hit" in East Asia, so I thought I'd give it a go. The tale…
The Falling Star (L’étoile filante)
This droll French comedy caper is from Abel & Gordon, the writing/directing/acting duo behind one of my favorite films from a few years back, Lost In Paris. It begins with…
Io Capitano
16-year-olds Seydou and Moussa live in Senegal. They are cousins and best friends who write songs and dream of being big stars in Europe. Unknown to their families they are…
Perfect Days
The IMDB description of Perfect Days reads: "A janitor in Japan drives between jobs listening to rock music." Not exactly an exciting premise for a film, but that is mostly…
Golden Years
In this Swiss comedy, Alice (Esther Gemsch) and Peter (Stefan Kurt) are moving into the next phase of their lives together with Peter's retirement. As a retirement gift, their kids…
Driving Madeleine
Driving Madeleine is one of those small films that takes you by surprise. So no spoilers here! The main characters are Charles (Dany Boon), a taxi driver obsessed with his…
Fallen Leaves
Finland's entry for the 2023 Oscars is one of my favorite films of the year. This romantic dramedy from Aki Kaurismäki feels like a mash-up of a color-drained Wes Anderson and…