By Roger Costa
BOXCUTTER
Being an artist in nowadays hyper competitive music industry is not an easy task. Aspiring and talented hip hop artists are constantly working hard for their projects to see the light and to find an open door, an opportunity to shine and show the world one’s visionary ideas, lyrics, words.
For Rome, a young Black hip hop artist living in Toronto, making it big in the city is his living priority. When he hears that a big shot producer is attending an open mic event, he will do anything to get to the stage and show his skills. But life is never easy for those struggling artists, and Rome will face obstacle after obstacle, testing his limits, patience, integrity and willingness to make it right. Will he get there?
Set in the course of one day, Rome must find his stolen computer that carries his music, teaming up with Jenaya, an activist and muralist also seeking to be approved for a mural project; They will go on a wild journey through the vibrant streets of Toronto, meeting up with eccentrics and bureaucratic personalities, in order to reach their goals by the end of the day.
Director Reza Dahya, making here his solo feature debut, after a few shorts and over a decade working in the music industry as a host and producer of a successful radio show, captures the essentials of being young and adventurous, being an artist and perseverant, through the lively, electrifying day-long journey of Rome and his associates. It is also an invigorating and relatable homage to Toronto and its music rhythms, especially the hip hop culture and the evolution of street art.
Actor Ashton James embodies Rome with authenticity and naturalism, delivering a respectable performance. His chemistry with the excellent Zoe Lewis (playing the defiant Jenaya) is convincingly heartwarming, turning the pair into memorable, relevant characters.
Energized and fast paced, it’s a finely crafted portrait of youngsters on the tireless quest for accomplishing what their hearts and aspirations lead them to.
(Film Movement. 10/24. Cinema Village NYC).
MISTRESS DISPELLER
Funny and bizarre, director Elizabeth Lo’s acclaimed documentary follows an intriguing conflict: a woman hires a professional to break up her husband’s affair. Gaining complete access to both sides of this intimate marital crisis real-life story, the result is an original piece of investigative cinema, an immersive and complex multi-character study that reveals traces of a culture, the limits of human condition and the devastation of reckless desire.
Winner of a special award for Best Directors under 40 at Venice Film Festival and named Best Documentary at Chicago International Film Festival, this is among the most original and provocative docs of the year.
(Oscilloscope. 10/22. IFC Center. Director and Special Guests in Attendance).
THE MAN WHO SAVES THE WORLD
Following an eccentric American peace-activist who believes he is a key for a prophecy that will save the Amazon, director Gabe Polsky invites the audience for a humorous, utterly curious and empathetic journey through Indigenous ancestry, culture and mysteries. Revered Patrick McCollum has traveled the world as a spiritual leader and peace advocate, meeting up with world leaders and Indigenous representatives. The film deeply dives into his mission and ideologies, composing a naturalistic, love letter to the spirit of humanity and compassion. As he plans the unification of all Indigenous people in order to save the Amazon, the film follows him on a quest for veracity, recognition and accomplishment. Produced by David Gordon Green and Peter Farrelly, it’s an inspiring story about the relationship between man, nature and ancestry spirituality.
(Area 23a. 10/24. Cinema Village NYC. Director and Special Guests in attendance).
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