Cinepage
Nida Faraz looks at interesting movies
2021 was badly affected by Coronavirus and it proved equally problematic for the cine world. Despite the drawbacks suffered by the world, however, Hollywood treated the audiences to a number of major releases, some of which arrived in theaters and on streaming platforms at the same time or within relatively close proximity. It was heartening to note that the filmmakers kept on producing quality movies. Few films are on the radar of Oscars and may win some. These movies are sensationally presented and have attracted audiences.
Azor
This debut feature from director Andreas Fontana takes place in the 1970s and follows a private banker (Fabrizio Rongione) from Geneva to Buenos Aires. He arrives to find a city under military rule, where surveillance is omnipresent and upstanding citizens can disappear overnight. Pure evil is all around in this unnervingly subtle, sophisticated movie; with eerie oppression in the air.
The Power of the Dog
This film is director Jane Campion’s brooding Western moves at an unhurried pace toward its chilling finale. Benedict Cumberbatch plays wealthy rancher Phil Burbank, whose machismo temperament belies much deeper longings. Real-life married couple Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst co-star.
This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection
Self-taught filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese tells the story of Mantra (Mary Twala Mhlongo), an 80-year-old widow in the final stages of life. When her plans for a local burial are disrupted by a major construction project, it springs the elderly woman and her community into action. The subsequent conflict between spiritual ancestry and ceaseless development extends well beyond the boundaries of this single tale.
The Souvenir: Part II
In the follow-up to 2019’s “The Souvenir,” this acclaimed sequel finds Honor Swinton Byrne reprising the role of Julie, who, reflecting upon a recent tragedy, undergoes the struggles of completing her thesis film project. The story takes place in the 1980s and culls from director Joanna Hogg’s personal experiences.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Coen’s brother Joel is flying solo for this black-and-white adaptation of Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy. It retells the story of Macbeth (played by Denzel Washington), whose ruthless rise to the Scottish throne is foretold by three witches. Top-notch performances and gripping visuals lend the frequently adapted material a fresh coat of proverbial paint.
The Green Knight
Director David Lowery puts a meditative spin on Arthurian legend in this medieval fantasy. Adapted from the 14th-century poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” this film follows the stubborn Sir Gawain on his quest to confront a mysterious knight. Critics were near-universal in their acclaim, while audiences were far more divided over the film’s glacial pacing. TW
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