By Roger Costa
WONDERSTRUCK
Considering the great talent and prestigious career of one of America’s best contemporary filmmakers, Todd Haynes, this is a catastrophic experience. But not completely. Undoubtedly, the film is an astonishing and remarkable recreation of the 70’s life-style with perfect cinematography, costumes and set designs, but it lacks emotion and creativity from the script, though the actors excel. An orphan kid goes on a quest for his father in a dangerous, dirty New York, and while venturing the city and the Natural History Museum with a local, the story goes back in time paying homage to the Silent-era, introducing same aspects on the depiction of a girl on the run to meet her mother, a famous actress who abandoned her family. Julianne Moore, playing two supporting roles, is perhaps the only great thing, not pronouncing a single word, but incredibly able to express varied emotions. Though it looks fabulous, and Haynes demonstrates so much enthusiasm for the project, it’s hard to endure the repetitive dialogue and the missing chemistry. (An Amazon Studios Release. Opens Friday, October 20th at Angelika Film Center.)
THE PARIS OPERA
Winner of the Best Documentary Award at Moscow International Film Festival, Jean-Stéphane Bron’s latest directorial effort is a profound, observational and dramatic exploration on the acclaimed French-company’s process of creation and development as they prepare to kick off a new season. With intimate contemplation, the camera witnesses moments of artistic euphoria, enthusiastic caring, dedication and determination. Director Bron conceives a curious and precise behind-the-scenes production, collecting perspectives from many parts of the company, including musicians, dancers, technicians, designers, producers and the marketing team, responsible for elevating some light tension and anxiety throughout their preparations. Though Micha Timoshenko, a young Russian bass-baritone, is the most captivating character, conquering the audience’s heart as he arrives at the Opera with fresh, powerful talent, and provides an unforgettable performance on stage. (A Film Movement Release. Now Playing at Quad Cinema and Film Society of Lincoln Center.)
TEMPESTAD
Two stories are interconnected in this exquisite and courageous account on human trafficking, political corruption and injustice. Documentarian Tatiana Huezo explores the lives of two women affected by both parts of the system, the authorities and the Cartel. Most of the film is narrated by Miriam, the woman who is never seen on camera due to the risky circumstances of her testimony. She was wrongly accused of human trafficking and arrested, and while in jail threatened by gang members; Huezo explores her deeply traumatic experience with sensibility and scandalous details while the camera points to natural landscape creating a melancholic, poetic atmosphere. Then, the Salvadoran, Mexico-based filmmaker turns her attention to Adela, a circus clown living with her problematic children, carrying crucial secrets that will merge into the film’s final moments. As the stories reveal important facts of human brutality, when innocent people pay for others’ crimes, the film finds the right balance between dramatization and investigation with its explosive material. (A Pimienta Films Release. Opens Friday, October 20th at Anthology Film Archives and co-presented by Cinema Tropical.)
Comments