Acclaimed conductor Thibaut has leukaemia and needs a bone marrow donor. Learning he was adopted, he finds an older brother, a musician and factory worker. Their reunion sparks a fraternal, musical journey amidst the town’s factory closure. It has echoes of Brassed Off with its exploration of the impact of unemployment on a whole community. This is a delightful, at times hilarious, other times poignant, exploration of who we are and where we come from.
French with English subtitles. 103m. Directed by Emmanuel Courcol
Young widow Santosh inherits her late husband’s position as a police officer in the rural badlands of India, becoming the centre of a gripping story of moral conflict from British-Indian director Sandhya Suri.
Taken under the mentorship of Sharma, a charismatic and authoritative senior female inspector, Santosh soon finds herself investigating the brutal murder of a low-caste girl. The case draws her deep into a harsh world of crime and corruption, forcing her to confront both the failures of the system and her own place within it—mirroring the uncomfortable reckoning the audience undergoes alongside her.
Already a BAFTA-nominated writer-director, Suri makes her feature debut with Santosh. Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2024, the film earned critical acclaim and was developed with support from the Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Labs.
Hindi with English subtitles. 2h. Directed by Sandhya Suri
70-year-old Mahin has been widowed for 30 years and her two children live abroad. She is living a lonely life in Tehran. But one day, she decides to join her friends for the afternoon tea and finds a new spark in her heart. She meets someone who makes her feel alive again, and the evening brings unpredictable surprises and memories. She bakes her favourite cake, believing that she may have found love at her late age.
The female directors were banned from leaving Iran to attend it’s premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. They were held in Evin prison awaiting trial for propaganda against the regime.
Persian with English subtitles. 97m Directed by Maryam Moghaddam & Behtash Sanaeeha
A personal view by guest critic Beth Travers
Ah yes, My Favourite Cake – though I would have appreciated a slice or two to comfort me after this film. It is a gut-wrenching portrayal of loneliness and isolation of two, single 70-year-olds living in the hustle of modern-day Tehran. This award-winning Iranian film follows seventy-year-old Mahin and her attempt to revitalise her life after the loss of her husband. From a hilarious depiction of female friendships, to heroism in the face of the oppressive Iranian morality police, co-directors Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha beautifully capture a revival of love and romance.
The question arises from the beginning of the film – is it possible to find love once again at such an age? Mahin proves quite easily that it is, even under the constraints of the Islamic Republic regime. She determinedly sets her heart on rediscovering life with a partner, unabashedly inviting cab driver and military veteran, Faramarz (played by Esmail Mehrabi ) into her home for some of her “favourite cake”. Admittedly I felt dazzled by her boldness, Lili Farhadpour magically captured that universal excitement and enjoyment of female pursuit typically associated with young, carefree (and predominantly western) women. She proved the desire to be seen and for physical touch never dies as we grow older.
Esmail won my heart with his loveable, charming smile and dance moves that had viewers (such as myself) crying on their sofas still with no cake in sight…
Oskai’s film shows narrative and characters richly steeped in Sami cultural and tradition. Artist Lena returns to her remote Sami homeland in order to work on a project about women herders after she herself rejected this role and headed for the city.
The stark and beautiful landscape shows the life of the herders including the women and Lena is torn between renewing this life for herself and her son whilst falling in love.
The director Oskai is also a herder and this enables her to understand the love and pain that goes into this way of life. A beautiful and enriching film.
The biographical film about the iconic musician Bob Dylan is beautifully crafted and executed as it transports you back immersing you in the life, music and story of one of the most influential artists of our time.
The performances are exceptional with Timothee Chalamet as Dylan delivering a magnetic portrayal capturing both the vulnerability and genius of the man.
The music is thrilling, with Chalamet playing and singing the songs, and the galvanizing power of ‘The Times they are a Changin’ debuting before a crowd who spontaneously join in. The supporting cast are terrific with Monic Barbaro performing as Joan Baez.
English. 2h21m. Directed James Mangold
A personal view by guest critic Beth Travers.
Transport yourself back in time this January and immerse yourself in the life, music and story of one of the most influential artists of our time – Bob Dylan.
A Complete Unknown is an autobiographical film about the American singer, songwriter and legend starring Timothee Chalamet and directed by James Mangold. The film composes a gritty verse in the ballad of Bob Dylan’s life. It takes us on a journey with the then, unknown 19-year-and his guitar, on his meteoric rise, and transformation from folk singer to electric visionary.
Mangold effortlessly captures Dylan’s relationships with musical icons such as Johnny Cash, as well as his complex partnership with Joan Baez (played by Monica Barbaro). The magic of their two voices intertwined beautifully on and off the stage, re-writing the rules of what art can achieve.
Chalamet delivers a magnetic portrayal, capturing both the vulnerability and genius of the man. He helps breathe new life into an icon of the past, while introducing a younger audience to the brilliance of his music.
