By Roger Costa
DEAR SANTA ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We current live in one of the darkest periods in human history. Solidarity, common sense and compassion are at stake, especially as the world tends to become more and more social isolated, separating the possibilities of interaction among those who need help the most. Even though we live busy lives, solidarity has been the essential part of any Holiday celebrations, for Christians or not- only if the world really knew the true meaning of Christmas. And despite our inclinations to selfishness and individualism, and the impact of the Pandemic changing the course of our routines in 2020, many of us remained helpful and engaged in social activism. That is the case of a centenarian program created by the US Post Office, that provides relief to lower class families across the country, answering to the requests and dreams expressed in millions of letters humbly written to Santa Claus.
The “Operation Santa” program has never stopped, and now more than ever, they will be able to reach out families that have been impacted by the Pandemic and the country’s economic crisis. These guardians of peace are made of the Post Office employees, as well as social activists, community leaders and volunteers.
Award winning director Dana Nachman travels the country on Christmas evening, capturing the magic and warmth of the season and its valuable humanitarian effects. Her cameras reveal the struggles of working-class parents, many stories of survival, including those raged by the California fires, as well as the innocence and hope seen in the children’s eyes, with tenderness and enthusiasm. The result is a triumphant, thoughtful, heart-warming, and honest portrait of solidarity and compassion. It also proves that not everything is lost in humanity. Exactly what the world needs right now.
(IFC Films. 12/4. In Theaters and On Demand.)
NOMADLAND ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After receiving the Top Prizes at this year’s Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, director Chloe Zhao’s third feature consecrates her as a major cinematic female voice in the 21st Century. For the past decade, this young Chinese-American auteur, rooted in a hybrid of documentary and dramatic narratives, has been exploring issues related to the identity of Native Americans as seen through their journeys in the Midwest part of the country, with the skillful use of non-professional actors, mostly playing a dramatized part of themselves. Her previous directorial efforts include the highly praised debut “Songs My Brothers Taught Me” about a girl member of an Indigenous community and her relationship with the male figures in her family, and the masterpiece “The Rider”, named Best Film of 2018 by many critics (including me), and telling the story of a severely injured cowboy who tries to get back on track despite his physical and emotional obstacles.
In “Nomadland”, 2021 Oscars Front-Runner, Zhao turns her lenses to a much more universal story, particularly at our current troubled times, depicting the homelessness in America and how harsh the financial crisis affected the nation. Through the road-odyssey of a one-woman who abandons everything after her husband dies leaving her with piles of bills to pay, and unable to afford a house she decides to travel the country living inside her van and working seasonable jobs such as Amazon, Zhao creates a milestone of a Neo-realist film, utterly humane and sensitive, completely engaged and committed to the benefit and understanding of others: those isolated by society, by the financial crisis, the urbane stress and pressure, and by personal traumas.
Frances McDormand is a sure bet for the Best Actress Oscar race, giving one of her strongest and deepest performances ever. Her saddened expressions, yet courageous and determined, looking for shelter and a parking spot for the night, is the heart of the film as she crosses paths with others going through the same situation, and generously listens and cares for their dilemmas. Among them, Dave, played by David Strathairn who insists on developing an intimate connection with her, inviting her over for his family’s visit, appears as an angel version in order to offer her a hand. Others, such as a lone singer who dreams of writing poems to express his deep feelings for a girl, an ill elder lady destined to give up on the journey at a waterfall and a grieving man, suffering for his suicidal son, adds up the real people director Zhao introduces to us, with compassionate eyes all over them.
Cinematographer Joshua James Richards dazzlingly captures the essence of Nature, human connections and spirituality in exquisite and magnificent shots: undoubtedly one that deserves all praises, and certainly is the combustible to enrich such visual splendor in the film.
A film that needs to be lived, felt and contemplated as a powerful humanitarian statement on loving each other unconditionally.
In fact, it could easily be described not as a motion picture, but as a state of spirit.
(Searchlight Pictures. 12/4. In Theaters.)
76 DAYS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The definitive portrait of 2020, this exclusive all-access journalistic feature to Wuhan’s medical center is an accurate witness of our current crisis and biggest fears. Tense, thrilling and highly emotional, directors Hao Wu and Weixi Chen with the collaboration of an independent crew have worked incessantly throughout the rooms and hallways of the hospital, as medical teams run against time to fight COVID-19 and its killing spread, comforting the sickened among them. As they report the crucial interaction between doctors and patients, and their individual dramas, the film captures revealing moments of anguish and hopelessness, but also of optimism, perseverance and compassion. A must-see urgent film, undoubtedly one of the most important documentaries of the 21st Century.
(MTV Documentary Films. 12/4. In Virtual Cinemas.)
THROUGH THE NIGHT ⭐⭐⭐
An acclaimed selection at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and DOC NYC, Afro-Dominican first-time filmmaker Loira Limbal crafts a moving drama depicting the struggle (financial, social, emotional) of a Child Daycare owner, an overnight nurse, and an immigrant single mother trying to make ends meet with three different jobs. An alarming expose of our economic troubling times, the film fiercely presents these women’s determination, integrity and tireless pursuit for the American Dream, while observing how the world around them react- mostly their children, partners, neighbors and friends.
(Long Shot Factory. 12/11. In Virtual Cinemas.)
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