Berlinale #1: Cillian Murphy in "Small Things Like These"

Elisa Giudici, TFE's frequent festival friend is in Berlin for the 74th annual Berlinale...

SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE © Shane O'Connor

by Elisa Giudici

"If you want to get on with life, sometimes you have to ignore things" Billy Furlong's wife remarks to him. It's 1985, and life in the Irish town of New Ross is modest yet dignified, for the most part. It's in the subtleties and the fine line between two worlds that the agony and suffering of Berlinale's opening film unfolds.  

Adapted from Claire Keegan's novel, Tim Mielants' Small Things Like These portrays the story of a "soft-hearted man" named Billy (Cillian Murphy, teased by his wife for his unwavering tendency to aid those in need...

Click to read more ...

Venice 2023: Elisa, Jury of One.

by Elisa Giudici

"Poor Things" was the consensus favourite of the fest

The 80th Venice Film Festival is nearing its end, with the final ceremony and the Golden Lion awards on the horizon. It's time for some personal reflections, recognition for my favorites, and the challenging task of predicting the winners. Please note that these predictions may already be outdated depending on when you're reading this. 

General impressions, trends, predictions, wtf moments, and personal favorites after the jump...

Click to read more ...

Venice 2023: Musica, Maestro!

by Elisa Giudici

Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in "Maestro"

In this entry of the Venice Diary, we delve into the world of music, exploring two titles that defy expectations by focusing on the personal lives of musicians rather than just their artistic endeavors.

MAESTRO by Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper, it's clear, isn't content with being just a good director. He aspires to be a legitimate auteur, a distinct voice in American cinema. Maestro boasts numerous scenes seemingly crafted to showcase his directorial prowess. However, what truly defines Cooper as an artist to date is his ability to captivate audiences, to touch their hearts and create a seamless cinematic experience...

Click to read more ...

Venice 2023: Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla"

by Elisa Giudici

Cailee Spaeny stars in Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla"

Years after her own Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola returns with Priscilla weaving another narrative about a teenage queen trapped within a gilded palace. Few storytellers are as adept as Coppola in capturing the essence of female adolescence and the fleeting emotions of someone discovering their true self. (Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of writers and directors interested in exploring such characters.)

From the outset of Priscilla, Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) is depicted as the quintessential American adolescent girl: there's even a scene of her idly tapping her foot beneath her school desk, lost in boredom and daydreams. This seems like a nod to Britney Spears' "Oops... I Did It Again" music video, albeit without the hypersexualization...

Click to read more ...

Venice 2023: "The Killer" and "Hit Man"

by Elisa Giudici

Venice's most sought-after job this year? The sicario. Professional assassins are trending. Today David Fincher's The Killer and Richard Linklater's Hit Man. 

THE KILLER by David Fincher
The real mystery here is whether The Killer's lack of ambition stems from production during the COVID years and a tight schedule due to Michael Fassbender's busy agenda, or if Fincher simply wanted to have fun. While it may not be a masterpiece or top tier Fincher, The Killer is still a thriller directed by Fincher, a master of the form.

This time, Fincher designs the movie around the protagonist's voiceover, setting the rhythm for the entire story and influencing the cinematography and editing choices...

Click to read more ...