By Roger Costa
THE CUT
Orlando Bloom gives one of his finest performances, a riveting and deeply raw characterization of hopelessness, self-destruction and reckless ambition. In the role of a traumatized veteran boxer who attempts to regain fame and respect in the rings, Bloom goes extreme and radical as his character runs against time to lose weight and get in shape for a tournament in just a few days.
Set in the dangerous and corruptive world of Ireland’s boxing industry, Oscar nominated director Sean Ellis conceives a powerful drama about redemption and hope. Anchored by Bloom’s top-notch and Awards-worthy performance, the film keeps it intriguing and entertaining as a journey of male recognition and reassurance. Watch out for John Turturro, once again stealing the show, as an unconventional and hilarious trainer.
The result is an intense and utterly convincing dramatic thriller.
(Republic Pictures/Paramount. Now playing exclusively at Cinema Village NYC).
HAPPYEND
In a near future, an authoritarian system threatens the privacy and freedom of Japan’s next generation, affecting young students at a prestigious educational institute.
After gaining award-buzz with his directorial debut, the documentary “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus” a personal look at the legacy of his father, writer-director Neo Sora proves to be a filmmaker to watch delivering an impressive, masterly crafted first feature.
Seen through the perspectives of the free-spirited neo-delinquents’ group of students as they wander the nights in search of fun and wisdom, Sora paints a visually seductive, mysterious and meticulously detailed canvas on youth’s anxieties, insecurities and expectations.
When they turn on a dangerous prank involving the school’s flouting principle, they are submitted to a radical surveillance system tracking every step and attitude, directly affecting them in very personal ways.
A bizarre and sharply resonant satirical sci-fi comedy of manners and morals, the film accurately addresses the effects of techno-manipulation, xenophobia, political repression and the power of friendship while subtly pointing to a way out.
Unpredictable and invigorating, it’s an exquisitely dark and intellectual coming of age tale.
(Film Movement. 9/12. Metrograph, NYC).
CIDADE; CAMPO
Brazilian director Juliana Rojas’ absorbing meta-drama weaves two different stories about immigration, belonging, loss and new beginnings.
Winner of the Best Director Award at Berlin’s Encounters sidebar, it starts with a gripping, heartbreaking story of a woman who lost everything and everybody at a horrific dam bursting tragedy and reconnects with her estranged sister and her adorable grandchild.
On the second half, the film explores the mystical elements behind dealing with death and ghosts from the past, as a woman and her wife move into the countryside attempting to save and preserve her father’s legacy.
Meditative, seductive and deeply humane, Rojas scores a poetical, melancholic and relatable project about the female power of overcoming tragedy.
(Presented by Cinema Tropical. Screens Wednesday, September 17th at Anthology Film Archives, NYC).
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