Played by Mads Mikkelsen, Martin is a high school teacher in a mid life crisis. He and his three colleagues embark on an “study” to see what level of alcohol makes them better people.
Measuring social and professional performance they drink only during working hours. Intoxicating, very funny and sobering. The film won a Bafta for Best Film not in the English Language and an Oscar for best international feature.
Directed by Thomas Vintenburg. Danish with English Subtitles.
Two lonely souls connect in a rain-lashed Helsinki in this unexpectedly uplifting drama from the Finnish master of melancholy.
Meeting by chance the two look at last to have found love. However, various obstacles thwart their hopes and dreams – lost phone numbers, mistaken addresses, alcoholism and a charming dog. Won the Jury prize at Cannes. Tragicomic romance set in modern-day Helsinki.
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Finnish with English Subtitles.
Holdovers is the name given to children in exclusive private boarding schools in America, who are held over in school during Christmas, because they are unable to go home to their families.
The film takes place at the end of 1970, when US troops were still fighting in the Vietnam War and explores the relationship between a hated teacher, the school cook and one of the boys “held over”. It is both funny and tragic, with stunning performances by Paul Giamatti (Sideways), Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa. 2023
Yas overhears recently heartbroken Dom sobbing in the gender-neutral lavatories. Two young strangers, both having had recent break ups, meet. She befriends him as he is about to lunch with his ex and her new boyfriend. She goes along pretending to be his new girlfriend all of which ends in chaos. They cheerfully connect with each other as they move around the sunny streets of south London. A film with street- smart grit and warmth and charm.
(2023). 82 mins. Comedy/romance. English. Dir. Raine Allen-Miller
This is a simple but heartwarming story of an ordinary and unassuming elderly man who walks to his local postbox to post a letter to his old friend Queenie, who is dying. But instead he walks the length of Britain to deliver the letter to her in person before she dies. It is a lovely exploration of an ordinary man who passes life on the sidelines until he decides to do something extraordinary. On the way he encounters many people from all backgrounds and walks of life who encourage him in his unlikely pilgrimage.
Starring Jim Broadbent as Harold Fry. Based on the novel by Rachel Joyce.
(2023). 93 mins. English. Director Hettie Macdonald
