'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.