'Rule Breakers' Review: One Giant Leap for Womankind
Angel Studios is kicking off International Women’s Day by releasing the inspiring historical drama Rule Breakers. Conventional in its storytelling yet powerful nonetheless, the film is based on the true story of Roya Mahboob, one of Afghanistan's first female IT entrepreneurs. It charts her relentless determination to give young girls the opportunity to study science and break free from the country's oppressive regime. In addition to correlating to Women's History Month, Rule Breakers is releasing ahead of National STEM Week, which kicks off on March 14th.
Some Rules Are Made to Be Broken
Roya Mahboob (Nikohl Boosher) is an iconoclast. As the founder of Afghanistan’s women’s robotics team and a global advocate for women’s education, she lives to inspire others. Despite her country's belief that educating girls is an act of rebellion, Roya continues to defy naysayers and critics by championing STEM in the local school system. She understands the importance of introducing kids, especially young girls, to science. It's no secret that educating the youth is their only way out of the current social oppression.
Despite Roya's good faith attempts to modernize the country, she is continuously met with the harsh reality that not everyone wants women to have autonomy. But this doesn't deter Roya. In fact, quite the opposite. Taking matters into her own hands, she organizes a small robotics team of four high school-aged girls. Together, they create a stunning mine detection robot made from old car parts. Their invention quickly earns them global attention. With all eyes on Afghanistan, Roya finally has her moment to prove to the world why education is not just a choice, but a right.
Takeaway
Rule Breakers is a classic underdog story with a happy ending. Academy Award-winning director Bill Guttentag (Soundtrack for a Revolution) tells this inspirational drama with heartwarming conviction, despite its formulaic, paint-by-numbers Hollywood structure. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this execution, it does feel too conventional and safe, especially for a story about a woman known for pushing the boundaries. However, giving Roya Mahboob and Afghanistan's first robotics team a platform to share their story is a film worth watching and supporting.
'Mesopotamia, TX' Review: Capturing a Phenomenon Up Close
Filmed during a real solar eclipse (and on 16mm film no less), Mesopotamia, TX is an incredible achievement. Written and directed by Lucy Gamades, this short film stands as both an enlightening character study and a successful technical achievement. When the climax of a film depends on a real-life event going according to plan, the stakes are dramatically high. Yet any signs of production stress are overshadowed, pun intended, by the beauty of the visuals captured on screen. Mesopotamia, TX recently made its World Premiere at the 2025 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.
Statistical Occurrence, or Act of God?
Any time there is a solar eclipse event, it brings out the best in humanity. People from all walks of life gather together to marvel at the miracle in the sky. For a few brisk seconds, we all experience a universal natural wonder. The lead-up to this moment is when we meet a man (Nicky Maindiratta) and a woman (Megan Greener), two strangers who find themselves waiting for the eclipse amid a crowd of eccentric Texans. The nameless characters are total strangers, he is from out of town and she is a local. Their shared interest in the upcoming earthly phenomenon is enough to get them talking. They engage in playful banter until they eventually get into deep conversation. Their debate poses the question of the upcoming eclipse being an act of randomness or Godly intervention, giving each other pause. Just then, the sun begins to disappear behind the moon, and the new friends put their differing beliefs aside to engage in the communal celebration of this worldly wonder.
The visual aesthetic of Mesopotamia, TX is artfully vibrant. From the bright red title design that matches the protagonist's cowboy hat to the country song "In the Shadow of the Valley" that opens the film, Mesopotamia, TX is a thoroughly fun and enjoyable watch. Filmmaker Lucy Gamades crafts a smart script that comes to life in Matthew Marino's beautiful cinematography. The cutaway shots of the environment around the lead actors anchor the film in realism.
Takeaway
As the light dips into darkness, the energy of Mesopotamia, TX is tangibly felt off-screen. It serves as a genuine moment of reflection and appreciation for not just the beauty of the natural world, but the beauty of independent cinema too.
'Do I Shock U Like Lightning' Review: A Singing Portrait of Optimism
I've always believed that a soulmate can come in many forms. Whether romantic or platonic, when a special person enters your life and awakens a part of you that has been dormant for some time, it's a beautiful thing. In filmmaker Kahlil Maskati's rom-com Do I Shock U Like Lightning, this inspiring connection comes in the form of a creative resurgence between two artists looking for acceptance. Fans of 500 Days of Summer and John Carney films like Once will instantly fall in love with this indie's music and message.
A Tender Display of the Power of Music
Wardy (Omar Maskati) is a struggling singer-songwriter who is ready to pack it in. His career in Los Angeles hasn't taken off the way he hoped. Instead of performing on the city's biggest stages, he plays free concerts in the park outside of his apartment. Not exactly the Hollywood dream. That's why his bags are packed for his imminent move back to his hometown in New Jersey. Call it fate, call it coincidence, but it's at this pivotal moment when he meets Ellie (Malia Aiello), a ukulele-playing singer-songwriter who will soon light Wardy's creative spark again. Wardy and Ellie become fast friends, bonding over their shared love of music.
One afternoon, Ellie invites Wardy to help with a song she is stuck on. She brings out her ukulele and strums the four-chord melody, sharing beautiful lyrics about falling in love and keeping the spark alive. The chorus of her song, "Do I Shock U Like Lightning", is a catchy pop singalong that catches Wardy off guard. Both he and Ellie feel that their platonic relationship is teetering on the edge of something more, and that scares them. It should be noted that Ellie has a boyfriend, and Wardy is still planning to move across the country. This flirtatious feeling they're both experiencing causes a rift in their friendship. But an unexpected confession from Wardy and a tremendous display of encouragement from Ellie is enough to bring the duo back together again.
All Eyes on Actor Omar Maskati
Writer-director Kahlil Maskati crafts a heartfelt film about the healing and restorative power of music. There is truly nothing better than a four-chord harmony in C, and Do I Shock U Like Lightning has this in spades. Leading actor Omar Maskati does a wonderful job playing the charismatic struggling artist whose optimism is both inspiring and comical. His voice is angelic, even while singing lyrics like "New Jersey's not an armpit". Wardy may be that guy at the party who brings his acoustic guitar to play Wonderwall, but we still like him. Ellie is equally sweet with her soft demeanor playing nicely against Wardy's more outgoing personality.
Takeaway
Do I Shock U Like Lightning is a bright and charming independent film that will have you humming along to its catchy earworms. There are some religious undertones during certain scenes that come from Ellie's background but it does not feel like propaganda in any way. Full of musical montages and fun character hijinks, Do I Shock U Like Lightning is a feel-good rom-com that aims to leave a smile on your face.
'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' Review: A Defiant Observation of Life and Death
Rungano Nyoni's sophomore feature, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, earns the title of most unusual film I screened at AFI FEST. Her first film, the BAFTA-winning I Am Not a Witch, premiered in 2018 to critical acclaim. After its debut, she quickly solidified herself as an indie darling. Nyoni stays true to her roots and dips viewers back into the colorful and rousing Zambian culture in On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, which won the Best Director award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
What Happens
The film tells the story of a young woman named Shula (Susan Chardy) who navigates through uncertainty. Specifically, she confronts familial expectations after the death of her uncle. On her way home from a costume party, Shula passes by a body lying untouched on the road. Upon realizing this is her uncle, with whom she has a complicated relationship, Shula does what she can to remove him from the road and preserve what dignity he has left.
The news quickly reaches both her immediate and extended family. Shula becomes enveloped in explosive discourse between the younger women in her family as her uncle's questionable past comes to light. The women finally let go, sharing memories that were previously kept hidden within the depths of their subconscious. Like a fire hydrant bursting open, they emotionally confront their confusing and conflicted relationship with the deceased.
Takeaway
This feels like a return to form for A24, a studio prioritizing art-centric films with a distinct POV. It's defiant and unapologetically absurd, some of the choices the characters make may even rub audiences the wrong way. Dealing with difficult subject matter, like sexual assault, should always be handled with incredible sensitivity, which is the case here. Filmmaker Rungano Nyoni cleverly infuses dark comedy into an otherwise horrific situation. A24 is distributing On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, in theaters on March 7th.
This review originally ran on November 2, 2024
'Gillyfish' Review: To See and Feel Seen
Filmmaker Sarah Sellman explores the complexities of identity and perception in her short film Gillyfish. The eleven-minute film examines the power of human connection and the intimacy that can grow when experiencing vulnerability. Gillyfish made its World Premiere at the 2024 BFI Flare Film Festival. Previously, it was nominated for 'Best North American Native' at the Miami Short Film Festival, and Alba Fernandez (Director of Photography) won 'Best Cinematography' at the European Cinematography Awards.
To See and Feel Seen
When we are first introduced to Gillian (Aoife Commons) and her partner Lana (Cat Coyle), they are in the middle of a sensitive conversation. Laying next to each other in bed, Lana expresses her hesitation about confronting her father. Apparently, this moment has been a long time coming and Lana is now getting cold feet. To ease her partner's anxiety, Gilly agrees to pretend to be Lana and face her father. This scenario plays out almost like a distant cousin to The Parent Trap where the children switch identities to spend time with the parent they never had in their lives. Gilly, rightfully cautious at first, finds Lana's father and courageously confronts him. What Gilly didn't expect, however, was to form an unlikely connection with the man she is conning. By working through Lana's issues, Gilly realizes she is also confronting many of her own.
Takeaway
Gillyfish is about healing by proxy, and the relief that comes when acknowledging hard truths. The film feels like it's part of a larger story, one that director Sarah Sellman can hopefully explore in the future. Given the time constraints and the film's loose story structure, audiences may feel they are missing a concrete resolution. However, Gillyfish imitates life in that tightly packaged happily-ever-afters are rarely experienced, nor authentic. Playing more like a meditation on an experience, rather than embodying a traditional movie structure, Gillyfish is, above all things, a moving indie gem. The film is produced by Maya Korn and MHK Productions.
Paul Leonard-Morgan Debuts Track from Focus Features' 'Last Breath'
In the upcoming thriller Last Breath, a group of rescue scuba divers attempt to save their crewmate who is stranded hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. Based on a true story, this terrifying ordeal is brought to life by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Alex Parkinson. His background as a documentarian allows him to really delve into the compassionate and humanistic side of this unthinkable situation. The second X factor mirrors the intensity of the rescue mission itself, and that is the bold, cinematic score from BAFTA-winning composer Paul Leonard-Morgan.
This heart-pounding film tells an inspiring story of teamwork and resilience. Given the gravity of the situation and the limited air supply the divers have to work with, Leonard-Morgan's score compliments this "race against time" theme. Field recordings of real boats and sink faucets add unique depth to the otherwise orchestral score, comprised of strings, bass, and special electronic elements.
Cinemacy is excited to debut "Topaz" from Focus Features' Last Breath (Original Soundtrack Recording), below:
Says Leonard-Morgan of the album, “I wanted to create a sense of despair and isolation of being left alone. To achieve this, I selected a solo electronic cello to play the lonely main underwater theme. After recording audio elements of a boat by drumming various bits of metal over the hull, I then sampled, detuned, and made beats out of it. These elements then became the percussive “ticking clock” which signaled the race again time to rescue the oxygen-starved diver. The Main Theme is created by sampling a dripping faucet, processing that through a vocoder synth on vintage analog gear. The result of all this preparation is a unique melodic sound combined by powerful ascending strings in the orchestra, low brass, and pounding basses. The music drives the tension and desperation in the film from start to finish.”
About Paul Leonard-Morgan
Paul Leonard-Morgan is a BAFTA award-winning, Emmy-nominated composer and producer. His unique cinematic style of fusing orchestra with electronica puts him in high demand as a composer and artist. Leonard-Morgan's reach spans genres and includes film scores such as Limitless, The Hunt for Planet B, The Tomorrow Man, Lucy the Human Chimp, and a string of projects with Academy-Award-winning director Errol Morris: My Psychedelic Love Story, the award-winning Netflix series Wormwood, and the Steve Bannon documentary American Dharma. His award-winning collaborations with legendary composer Philip Glass began on Amazon’s series Tales From the Loop. He continued to work with Glass on The Green Veil followed by the documentary feature film The Pigeon Tunnel.
He has also worked with bands such as No Doubt, Snow Patrol, and Belle and Sebastian. His video game soundtracks include Battlefield Hardline, Warhammer: Dawn of War 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Call of Duty Mobile. Concert work includes his concerto commission for Orchestre Nationale de Bretagne. His album of études for piano and cello is being choreographed by members of the San Francis ballet.
Focus Features & Filmtrax Ltd is releasing Last Breath on Friday, February 28th. You can pre-save the album for release here.
'The Umesh Chronicles' Review: Using Cinema as Poetic Language
Filmmaker Pooja Kaul uses cinema as poetic language in her soulful coming-of-age feature debut, The Umesh Chronicles. The film explores how a young Indian woman is shaped and formed by the encounters she experiences. Languid and patient in its storytelling structure, this romantic drama was selected to screen at the 2024 Stockholm International Film Festival.
Gone but Not Forgotten
The endless quest to feel grounded is something many of us experience throughout our lives, and Radha, a young girl living in 1980s middle-class India, is no exception. Her family is constantly moving due to her father's position in the military, and stability is hard to come by. School friends come and go but Radha has grown to understand that she can always turn inward to find comfort and solace. However, she is not immune to loneliness and will resort to books and music as escapism. One day, Radha is sent to live with her well-off grandparents to continue her education, while her father and the rest of her family deal with his relocation details. It is the first time she can put down roots in a familiar setting.
Then Radha meets Sundar, a young boy who helps out around the familial estate. She initially has little contact with Sundar who, like Radha, also mainly keeps to himself. They come from different backgrounds but there is no denying a shared kinship. Things are soon upended when Sundar runs away without warning, vanishing from Radha's life without a trace. But life goes on, Radha focuses on her future and attends college. Leaving the past behind is her way of moving on. But as fate would have it, Radha and Sundar cross paths years later, and the memories of childhood start flooding back with tangible sensations.
An Impressive Crew Who Count Joachim Trier and Joanna Hogg as Collaborators
As the writer and director of the film, Pooja Kaul's fingerprints are all over this delicate story of two different hierarchies navigating a changing society. An impressive crew brings this intimate and atmospheric portrait to life. Swedish Cinematographer Jakob Ihre leans into the atmospheric and dreamlike quality of the film's surroundings. His work on previous films with similar aesthetics includes Thelma, Louder than Bombs, and Oslo, 31st August by critically acclaimed director Joachim Trier. Helle le Fevre serves as editor, and her background is equally impressive. She frequently collaborates with director Joanna Hogg, having worked on The Souvenir, The Souvenir: II, and The Eternal Daughter.
Takeaway
The Umesh Chronicles is a slow-burn art film that requires its audience to embrace patience and poise. Sitting through the slower scenes comes with great payoffs, including many musical moments. Says Kaul of the film's greater themes, "The Umesh Chronicles is both timeless and of its time, a poem of life, both ancient and modern, a film for fathers, mothers, daughters, everywhere."
'B is for Bachata' Review: Full of Heart, Hips, and Passion
Writer/director Ricky Rosario brings the spirit of Latin music to life in his short indie film, B is for Bachata. Running just 13 minutes long, B is for Bachata is a colorful homage to the significance of the Bachata style of dance. In addition to acknowledging its rich cultural importance, the film portrays how this genre is being reinterpreted in modern times.
Regaining a Sense of Tradition
Yonathan (Andresito Germosen De La Cruz) is celebrating his college graduation with a backyard family BBQ. He is a proud Dominican-American but fails to take an interest in Bachata, which many of his party guests engage in. His cousins, Manny (Cesar Pichardo) and Beatris (Franceli Chapman) do their part to explain the rich history between Bachata and the Dominican Republic. They point to the people dancing all around them, gliding gracefully in four-step unison. This leads Yonathan down a road of discovery. He not only starts to learn more about dance but also about his own ancestry.
B is for Bachata has a commercial glossy quality to the film that radiates with energy. Its vibrancy reflects the heart and soul of the music, which is a pleasure to listen to throughout the runtime. Filmmaker Ricky Rosario does an excellent job incorporating Spanglish into the script, giving the film a strong authentic edge. Visually, close-ups of mouthwatering plates of food, coupled with feet moving to the rhythm, succeed in setting the perfect party mood. There's no doubt this film will leave audiences with an extra pep in their step as the credits roll.
Takeaway
Merengue and salsa may be more popular in America, but B is for Bachata makes a compelling case for championing this lively dance style. Both fun and sentimental, B is for Bachata premiered at the 2024 New York Latino Film Festival.
'Anwar' Review: Understanding the Beauty of Life and Death
Does mother always know best? The answer isn't so simple in director Fawaz Al-Matrouk's sci-fi drama, Anwar. The 20-minute short film tells the story of a mother and son who have differing perspectives on life and death and how, despite conflicting opinions, they finally come to understand the beauty in each other's choices. Anwar made its World Premiere at Les Utopiales, an annual international science fiction festival held in Nantes, France. The film makes its US Premiere at the Sedona International Film Festival at the end of this month.
When is Eternal Life Worth Living?
"What happens when you die?" asks 8-year-old Anwar to his mother, Mona (Kerry Bishé), shortly after they experience the loss of a pet bird. This expansive question kicks off the beginning of a highly-anticipated conversation with Mona, who has been waiting until he was old enough to comprehend the idea of eternity. Mona confesses that years ago, she decided to trade her human experience for eternal life. Just how that happened, and why she chose to turn immortal when everyone she loves remained mortal, remains unclear. But logistics don't seem to be a high priority to effectively get the message of the story across.
Mona has joined a growing number of people who trade mortality for invincibility. They are known as "ever people" and she hopes her son will join her destiny decision. But contrary to his mother's wishes, Anwar longs for heaven. He doesn't believe humans are meant to live forever. As the film evolves through the decades, we see Anwar age from 8 to 18 to 80. Mona, meanwhile, remains eternal throughout. It is only when Anwar reaches old age that Mona can see the beauty in death. Ironically, it is on his deathbed when Anwar has a final moment of doubt.
Takeaway
Fawaz Al-Matrouk gives audiences much to meditate on in his indie sci-fi drama. The film feels very organic in both its tone and aesthetic, which adds a sense of calmness to an otherwise distressing topic. Set in a lush natural landscape and backed by a strong leading performance from Kerry Bishé (Argo, Halt & Catch Fire), Anwar is a film that aims to awaken the spirit.
'Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)' Review: Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's follow-up to his 2022 Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is another timely watch. Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) energetically pays tribute to the life and legacy of the memorable American funk band, Sly & the Family Stone. Using an abundance of archival footage and interviews with key players in the scene, including André 3000, Clive Davis, and Chaka Khan, Sly Lives! is a captivating look at the good times–and bad–of one of pop music's most influential artists. The documentary held its World Premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is now available to stream on Hulu.
Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown
Bigger than just an homage-filled tribute to the band Sly & the Family Stone, Questlove's thesis is more nuanced and pointed than the average music documentary. Using Sly Stone as his subject, Questlove investigates and interrogates the idea of Black genius and the expectations that come with it. "What is 'Black Genius'" he asks the interviewees at the beginning of the film. The responses range from lighthearted chuckles to introspective contemplation. It's a tricky question to answer. Even at the end of the film, the question remains fluid and ever-changing.
Watch the Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) trailer here.
The Rise, Reign, and Fall of Sly & the Family Stone
Those interested in learning how this group from San Francisco came to dominate the music scene will find much to sink their teeth into in this joyous and academic retrospective. Dubbed a "music genius" by those who knew him, Sly Stone–born Sylvester Stewart–was destined to be a game-changer. Equally charismatic and enigmatic, Sly's first foray into the music industry came as a DJ in the Bay Area of California. The documentary expertly tracks how the band became one of the most groundbreaking bands of the 60s. Notably, they were the first major group to have both a multi-racial and mixed-gender roster.
The film covers all of their highlights, including performances of hits "Everyday People" and "Hot Fun in the Summertime". It also covers the not-so-glamorous moments, including the dissolution of the group, friction between band members, and Sly's out-of-control drug use. It's during these moments that Questlove reinserts his original thesis statement: There is an unseen burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.
Takeaway
Sly Lives! doesn't quite live up to the same "must-see" energy as Questlove's former film Summer of Soul. However, what it does provide in its nearly 2-hour runtime is a vivid memory of the legendary contributions from a West Coast rock band that changed the trajectory of rock and funk music forever.
'I Love You Forever' Review: Heartbreak at the Hands of a Narcissist
Prince Charming quickly turns into Prince Creepy in the indie romantic drama I Love You Forever. Co-written and co-directed by Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani, I Love You Forever shows how one millennial meet-cute went from giddy heart-eye emoji to toxic heartbreak. This film is not the first to shed light on the modern dating experience, however, its portrayal of an increasingly frightening dynamic between a young woman and her overly obsessive boyfriend offers a fresh and authentic perspective on cultivating love in 2025.
Happily Ever After... Or Is It?
Mackenzie (Sofia Black-D'Elia) is in a dating rut. Her hook-up buddy continues to be ambivalent about their relationship, and her patience is running low. A stressed-out law student, Mackenzie doesn't have time to waste on boys who won't commit. But her pessimistic outlook on love changes the night of her best friend's (Cazzie David) birthday party. This is where she meets Finn (Ray Nicholson), a devastatingly handsome man who seems immediately smitten with her. Their chemistry is undeniable from the beginning. For their first date, Finn rents out an entire restaurant for just the two of them. They end the night with a kiss, and it can easily be described as the best date ever.
Finn's thoughtfulness and attentive communication style seem like considerate personality traits. At last, Mackenzie believes she has found the one. Early on, Finn shares his early childhood trauma and fear of abandonment, and Mackenzie sees this confession as being vulnerable, open, and honest. Little does she know that his relationship anxiety and insecurity will be the very things that ruin her life.
Crafting the Tone of the Tragic Rom-Com
I Love You Forever is a painfully authentic embodiment of heartbreak at the hands of a narcissist. Those who have experienced a relationship like this may feel as if your diary entries are being read aloud. The film depicts outrageous, yet very real manipulation tactics, like being pressured into changing your phone number, and the stress of having to de-escalate a situation after threats of suicide.
Crafting the tone of a tragic rom-com is no easy task, but Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani make it seem effortless. The script's zingy one-liners add much-needed lightheartedness, as does Cazzie David's dry comedic relief. Ray Nicholson puts on a stunning performance as the endearing-turned-creepy Finn. His ability to switch between sweet and psychotic is impressive. For her role as the tortured girlfriend, Sofia Black-D'Elia gives a heartfelt performance that many women may, unfortunately, relate to.
Takeaway
Emotionally abusive relationships are no laughing matter. I Love You Forever handles this delicate subject matter with the right amount of empathy and dark humor. Produced in part by Diablo Cody, the film made its World Premiere at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.
'Outrage' Review: The Scary Simplicity of How Disinformation Spreads With Ease
Writer/director Brady Nelson uses his independent film Outrage to make a point: you can't always trust what you read online. This high-stakes drama, made on a modest $20,000 budget, tells a scandalous and timely story of corruption in mainstream media. Over the last decade, the internet has been heavily used to weaponize democracy. This results in hit pieces, callous invasion of privacy, and spreading fake news with the deliberate intent to cause chaos. Outrage approaches this unethical PR tactic from a new perspective, and exposes the ugly truth of media manipulation.
Witnessing a Political Scandal
Kevin (Alex Campbell) is a young investigative journalist who has been working undercover at a troll farm, during an election year, to expose a giant media manipulator. The son of a highly respected journalist, Kevin strives to make a name for himself outside his father's shadow. The assignment he finds himself involved in, is by all intents and purposes, a career-defining opportunity. Kevin's task is to swing the election for the far-right candidate. This involves planting salacious news stories at various news organizations, creating memes, and other low-level online attacks.
By playing along as a troll farmer and witnessing this company's ability to manipulate public opinion during a critical voting period, Kevin's goal is to expose the corrupt organization and its leader (Paul Stuart). However, once Kevin sees how far the company's boss is willing to go to win, he realizes he may be in too deep. It's a risky move, but that doesn't stop Kevin from attempting to dismantle the PR machine before it's too late.
How Fake News Can Have Real and Devastating Effects
Outrage shows the scary simplicity of how disinformation spreads with ease. The film feels particularly timely given our recent election and the discourse surrounding "fake news" and rumored voter fraud. It's not improbable to imagine troll farms around the world aiding specific political parties and how that has a direct influence on the state of our country. Phrases like "ABC: Always Be Clicking" and "People don't want to think", indicating that the power lies in the hands of click-farm bots, are enough to leave a bitter taste in anyone's mouth.
Set in a single location, an office building within an industrial complex, filmmaker Brady Nelson is able to build a pressure-cooker environment. Outrage moves very swiftly, much like a fast-paced newsroom. Close-ups of computer screens and text messages draw audiences into this digital world. At times, the depiction of the World Wide Web feels more like a jail cell.
Takeaway
Inspired by true events, these manipulation tactics are commonly used in our current landscape, from TMZ gossip sites to more political-leaning outlets. Outrage puts a face to these otherwise hidden ethical dilemmas of modern journalism and digital deception for all to see.
'Celebration' Review: The Tragic Trajectory of Innocent to Ideological
Filmmaker Bruno Anković looks at the past to better understand the present in the historical drama Celebration (Proslava). Inspired by the book of the same name, Celebration by Damir Karakaš, Anković revisits a specific and divisive moment in time that has forever left an imprint on world history and politics. Celebration made its World Premiere at the 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The Tragic Trajectory of Innocence to Ideological
Bernard Tomić plays Mijo, a young, defeated soldier who finds refuge in the woods outside his impoverished Croatian village. It is Autumn 1945, at the end of World War II, and Mijo has gone into hiding in fear of retaliation. He cannot fathom surrendering and facing the consequences of his actions, which are the result of right-wing brainwashing. Mijo, who grew up an innocent, good-natured kid, is interestingly both the protagonist and antagonist of this story. So how did Mijo, a good kid with a pure heart, end up complying with the "enemy"? Through eye-opening flashbacks, Celebration explores the monumental events and difficult circumstances that led to Croatia's expansion of extremism and right-wing ideology.
Brutal Circumstances are Amplified by Aesthetic and Sound
Celebration is Bruno Anković's feature film debut and a successful one at that. Capturing the bleak and conflicting circumstance that Mijo finds himself in is amplified by gritty aesthetics. The score has an interesting cadence to it, almost sounding like high-pitched wind rather than a traditional composition. Visually, the film has a Terrence Malick quality, specifically in the scenes of lush rural landscapes. At times, the color grade can be too dark and hard to distinguish what is happening on screen, which is the film's only flaw. Creating something so beautiful out of subject matter that is so difficult to digest is a true feat.
As a Croatian filmmaker, this story is deeply personal to Anković. However, he is convinced that history is repeating itself, and therefore Celebration is a global foreshadowing of what condoning evil entities would look like today. Anković explains it best: "I wanted to use this film to try to explain to myself why our grandfathers became so cruel, why they could ever be part of the Nazi and fascist movements. I simply had a need to talk about the type of environment in which evil could take root. Particularly in light of the world today – in Europe and all over the world we can now see the resurgence of right-wing movements, groups, politicians – so we ask ourselves: where did we all go wrong?"
Takeaway
Celebration acts as a mirror for the younger generations to recognize the warning signs of impending political turmoil and a catalyst to act accordingly. We cannot remove the stains of the past but it is in our power to ensure our future is equitable, prosperous, and something we want to look forward to.
'Going Viral' Review: Would You Sell Your Soul For Fame?
The desire for virality might seem like a modern-day ambition, but Going Viral proves that the search for stardom is timeless. Directed by Vincent Vittorio (American Made Movie) and written & produced by Todd Pringle and Kevin Greene (You’re Killing Me), this independent feature blends the best of 80's nostalgia with current technological advances to create a truly original genre film. This 80s sci-fi adventure is full of great music, fun special effects, and a stellar cast. And wow! It is fun to see Corey Feldman back on the big screen again!
Welcome to Viral University
Going Viral tells the story of a teenage boy's desperate attempt to achieve fame and the consequences he faces as a result. Beckett O’Connell (Shea Pritchard) is an awkward 15-year-old obsessed with skateboarding and becoming an influencer on V-TV, a new video-sharing platform. Similar to our generation's TikTok, V-TV rewards its users with likes and online fame. For months, Beckett tries and fails to get attention from the V-TV community. However, things change when he discovers Viral University, a surreal online portal. This is also where he meets Mr. Viral (Louis Kyper), a mysterious AI who promises success by encouraging fame-hungry teens to engage in practical jokes.
Following Mr. Viral's advice, Beckett starts by partaking in innocent yet annoying pranks. Just as expected, his popularity begins to rise. The girls at school start to pay him attention, and he begins to be recognized by people around town. Beckett's harmless practical jokes eventually turn dangerous when he goes too far by rigging an opponent's skateboard, causing serious injuries. It's no longer fun and games as Beckett realizes that Mr. Viral is more threatening than he was led to believe. With so much at stake, Beckett must team up with a reclusive gamer named Samurai (Corey Feldman) to take on the AI once and for all.
A Neon Nod to 80s Culture
Filmmaker Vincent Vittorio excels in creating an aesthetically abundant 80s haven within the world of Going Viral. From the costumes to the props and the crowd-pleasing synched songs, Going Viral is a fun and family-friendly watch. In his role as the aging yet infamous gamer, Corey Feldman steals the show with his comedic timing and undeniable charisma. Leading the film, Shea Pritchard does an equally impressive job channeling his inner Marty McFly while remaining a unique central character.
Takeaway
Imagine Ferris Bueller had a Gen Z desire for influencer fame, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect in Going Viral. Full of heart and sideways ponytails, this vibrant indie film tackles the timeless challenges of self-discovery in the digital age.
'The 4 Points' Review: Exposing the Gritty Underbelly of LA Crime
Beyond the bright lights of Hollywood is a grittier, less fairytale-like part of town that many avoid for good reason. This stretch of the city, which was once considered the gang capital of the world, acts as a playground for those up to no good. Filmmaker Raul Perez examines this seedy underbelly in the independent crime drama The 4 Points. Not only is The 4 Points a passion project for Perez, which he has spent years in various stages of production, but it also marks his narrative feature film debut.
Rival Gang Members Turned Unlikely Partners
Co-written with longtime friend Kevin J. Kelley, Perez draws audiences into the world of high-stakes crime where murder rates are skyrocketing. Two former gang rivals turned LAPD detectives, Shane Murphy (Dustin Harnish) and Dre Allen (Dominique Marsell), know these streets well. After all, they came of age in the city's most violent neighborhood, referred to as The 4 Points. After a startling number of murders catch the attention of the police commissioner, Detectives Murphy and Allen are assigned to a "two-man task force" to investigate the root cause. As the duo digs deeper into the darkness, they quickly get tangled up in a deadly web of secrets, gang violence, and betrayal. Their attempt to save the city from The 4 Points could be the very thing that kills them both.
A Character-Driven Crime Saga Anchored by Strong Performances
The 4 Points doesn't shy away from depicting graphic moments on screen, including violence and drug use. This sensitive subject matter is handled with care by lead actors Dustin Harnish and Dominique Marsell. Unflinching in their portrayal of formerly troubled men who have turned their lives around, they command this indie film. The psychological toll their portrayal evokes is visceral and deeply felt.
While gripping, there are a couple of moments that can take the viewer out of the experience. For instance, the sound mix is off in certain scenes. The quick escalation from soft dialogue to elevated and startling sound effects can cause quite a jumpscare. Visually, however, is where The 4 Points experiments with stylistic choices that pay off. The camera's choreography dances around characters and the decision to go handheld over static shots adds a sense of urgency that perfectly compliments the film.
Takeaway
In addition to its adrenaline-pumping moments, The 4 Points also offers a heartfelt undercurrent that explores themes of redemption and brotherhood. Winner of "Best Indie Feature" at the San Francisco International Film Awards, The 4 Points is now available on VOD.