Author Archives: kaist455

The Zone of Interest (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The Banality of Evil Right Next to Auschwitz

Jonathan Glazer’s new film “The Zone of Interest”, which recently received the five Oscar nominations including the ones for Best Picture and Best International Film, is utterly chilling in its clinically uncompromising presentation of the banality of evil. Although lots … Continue reading

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The Space Race (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Hidden Astronauts

Documentary film “The Space Race” looks into a hidden part of the NASA history which deserves more attention in my humble opinion. Although it could delve more into its interesting historical subject, the documentary did a good job of presenting … Continue reading

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Bobi Wine: The People’s President (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A musician against autocracy

Documentary film “Bobi Wine: The People’s President”, which recently received a nomination for Best Documentary Oscar, focuses on a popular musician who became a defiant political fighter for his country and people. While he has been brutally oppressed a lot … Continue reading

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Perfect Days (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The daily life of one plain Tokyo toilet cleaner

Wim Wenders’ latest film “Perfect Days”, which was nominated for Best International Film Oscar in last month, is a sublime experience much richer than you might think at first. On the surface, it is just the plain observation on the … Continue reading

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Io Capitano (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An arduous immigrant odyssey across Africa

“Io Capitano”, which was recently nominated for Best International Film Oscar, follows one arduous journey across the African continent taken by the two young main characters at the center of the story. What we are going to see here is … Continue reading

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A Thousand Cuts (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The threat against journalism in the Philippines

Documentary film “A Thousand Cuts” reminds us of the undeniable importance of good journalism – and how it can be so easily threatened in our current chaotic time. Even at this point, our world is still struggling with the disturbing … Continue reading

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Jane B. for Agnes V. (1988) ☆☆☆(3/4): When Birkin and Varda played together

Agnès Varda’s 1988 docudrama film “Jane B. for Agnes V.”, which happens to be released in South Korean theaters a few weeks ago, is a charming playtime between its director and Jane Birkin, who also appeared in Varda’s another film … Continue reading

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American Fiction (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little mild satire to enjoy

“American Fiction”, which won the People’s Choice Award when it was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in last year and then garnered five Oscar nominations including the one for Best Picture in last month, is a little mild … Continue reading

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Ferrari (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Calm and detached just like its hero

Michael Mann’s new film “Ferrari” is calm and detached just like its hero, who builds a wall around whatever he feels and thinks inside as he says at one point in the story. As a sort of antithesis to James … Continue reading

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Priscilla (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Lost in Graceland

Since her first two feature films “The Virgin Suicides” (1999) and “Lost in Translation” (2003), Sofia Coppola has consistently adhered on her artistic territory. Her subsequent notable works such as “Marie Antoinette” (2006), “Somewhere” (2010), and “The Beguiled” (2017) are … Continue reading

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