Tag Archives: Village

Manok (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A lesbian lady back in her rural hometown

Posted on June 28, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Manok” is a likable queer comedy drama boldly waving its rainbow spirit across the screen. While its cheerful mix between humor and drama often feels rather uneven especially during its second half, the movie has a … Continue reading →

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Misericordia (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Stuck in absurd predicament

Posted on July 20, 2025 by kaist455

Alain Guiraudie’s latest film “Misericordia” is a wry comedy thriller which has some naughty fun behind its back as steadily maintaining its deadpan attitude to its hero’s absurd predicament. No matter how much he tries in one way or another, … Continue reading →

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The Monk and the Gun (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): In the middle of modernization

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

“The Monk and the Gun”, which was the Bhutanese entry for Best International Film Oscar in last year (It was included in the shortlist around the end of last year, by the way), takes its time for its little deadpan … Continue reading →

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Pedro Páramo (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Walking into a ghost town

Posted on November 17, 2024 by kaist455

Netflix film “Pedro Páramo”, which was released a few weeks ago, is often terrific to watch for its undeniably haunting visual moments, but it is also frequently frustrating in terms of story and character. While its period background looks impeccable … Continue reading →

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Banel & Adama (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Being dried and suffocated

Posted on October 4, 2024 by kaist455

“Banel & Adama”, which was chosen as the official submission to Best International Film Oscar by Senegal in last year, is a sad story about a young rural woman getting dried and suffocated by the harsh reality of her isolated … Continue reading →

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Evil Does Not Exist (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s interesting minor work

Posted on March 24, 2024 by kaist455

Ryusuke Hamgauchi’s latest film “Evil Does Not Exist”, which won the Grand Jury Prize when it was shown at the Venice International Film Festival in last year, is interesting to watch for several good reasons. Although it does not reach … Continue reading →

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Il Buco (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Inside and outside the hole

Posted on January 22, 2024 by kaist455

“Il Buco”, which means “the Hole” in Italian, is surprisingly compelling in its dry and distant approach to its main subject. Simply following the discovery and exploration of a certain deep hole in the cave region of Pollino in Southern … Continue reading →

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No Bears (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Another interesting work from Jafar Panahi

Posted on January 14, 2024 by kaist455

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s latest film “No Bears”, which won the Special Jury Prize when it was premiered at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival, is fascinating for how the director willingly pushes his artistic vision further despite lots of … Continue reading →

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R.M.N. (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their Town

Posted on December 3, 2023 by kaist455

Romanian filmmaker Christian Mungiu has impressed us with his dry but undeniably intense drama films such as “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” (2007) and “Beyond the Hill” (2012). Although it is less focused in comparison as attempting to … Continue reading →

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Her Hobby (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): How they bond together

Posted on August 31, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Her Hobby” is a little country noir thriller revolving around one unlikely solidarity between two very different women. As one gets empowered thanks to some help and encouragement from the other, the movie gradually reveals the seedy … Continue reading →

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