Baab
Grief, hallucination, and repression all collide in the second feature of Nayla Al Khaja, the first woman to direct and produce films in the Emirates - from the 46th Cairo International Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Nayla Al Khaja
Victoria Luxford interviews the first woman director from the Emirates just as she releases her sophomore feature; they discuss a story rooted in silence, emotional impulse, working with the iconic A.R. Rahman, the UAE beyond modern skylines, and more - read our exclusive interview [Read More...]

Bijupirá
A fisherman reconsiders his bond with a young boy, in Eduardo Boccaletti’s gorgeously crafted short drama - from the Avanca Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Eduardo Boccaletti
Victoria Luxford interviews the Brazilian director of gorgeously crafted short fisherman drama Bijupira; they discuss "the feeling of the outsider", blending VFX with aquatic images, the adversities of filming on water, gifts from the sea, and more [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Sara Gutierrez
Victoria Luxford interviews the Spanish director of alluring feature The Night She Moves; they discuss a script almost devoid of dialogue, translating real-life relations with filmic ones, shooting at a friend's place, and much more - as part of ArteKino 2025 [Read More...]

Have You Seen This Woman? (Da li Ste Videli Ovu Zenu?)
This surreal dramedy from Serbia and Croatia takes us on a dizzying ride through the various guises of a disappeared woman - watch it for free in December only with ArteKino [Read More...]

The Night She Moves (Yo La Busco)
Music, romance, and secret confessions are all on the menu in Sara Gutiérrez Galve’s alluring story of a dark night of the soul - watch it for free this December only with ArteKino [Read More...]

Notes on a Summer (Notas sobre un Verano)
A young woman finds herself caught between a sensible future and a passionate reunion, in Diego Llorente’s elegant story of the heart - stream it for free this December only with ArteKino [Read More...]

Off the Beaten Track (Longe da Estrada)
A legendary artist’s life is seen through the eyes of his friends and critics, in a gorgeously made drama based on true events - watch it for free in December only with ArteKino [Read More...]

Tallinn Critics’ Picks verdict: Finding joy in stories of redemption 
Our PÖFF first-timer Victoria Luxford runs her eye over this year’s Critics’ Picks category, and all the emotions that came with it.   [Read More...]

Wheelie
A party-loving young man suffers an accident that leads to the world seeing him differently, and him facing up to adulthood - from the Just Film section of the 29th edition of the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

A Summer Tale (Cuento de Verano)
An irredeemable man fights to save his own skin in this terrifically dark tale of spectacular failure - from the Critics' Picks section of the 29th edition of the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

Nino in Paradise
A young man parties and stumbles through Paris, in this startling portrayal of modern-day life in Europe – from the Critics' Picks section of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

China Sea
A former kickboxer’s biggest battle is with himself, in this bold and emotional drama from Lithuania - from the Critics' Picks section of the 29th edition of the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

The Silent Virgin (La virgen silenciosa)
Politics and sexuality clash in a compelling Mexican drama that feels ripped from the headlines - from the Critics' Picks section of the 29th edition of the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

That Burning House 
Real life experience informs this hard-hitting story of systemic damage in a Taiwanese children’s home – from the Critics’ Picks section of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival [Read More...]

Street Wanderers (Los Caminantes de la Calle)
Two officers from different sides of the world take on the Chinese mafia, in this South American thriller based on true events - from the Critics' Picks section of the 29th edition of the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

Round 13 (13ème Round)
Mohamed Ali Nahdi’s heartbreaking drama explores strength in impossible circumstances – from Critics' Picks section of the 29th edition of the PÖFF Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

Invisibles
A Montreal sex worker finds new direction when she takes on a different kind of client, in this sweaty and passionate drama – from the Critics' Picks section of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival  [Read More...]

Mo Papa
A touching, beautiful follow up to Estonian hit Mo Mamma, Eeva Mägi’s second in a thematic trilogy is just as magnificent - opening film of the Critics' Picks section of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival [Read More...]

Tallinn Critics’ Picks selection announced: the world tells its stories
PÖFF announces the 10 films of their Critics' Picks section (which we have covered since its inception three years ago); Victoria Luxford looks at the intriguing promise behind these very international titles [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Mark Andrew Altschul
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of All American, a feature film about young wrestlers fighting inside and outside the ring; they discuss turning photographs into cinema, an environment hostile towards women, receiving nationwide recognition, and much more! [Read More...]

All American
Young wrestlers become activists and well as contenders, in this all-American doc about overcoming obstacles in order to pursue dreams - from the Heartland Film Festival [Read More...]

The Big Johnson
Delicious celebration of LGBTQ+ underground culture shines a light on Dean Johnson, a queer musician well ahead of his time - from the 12th edition of the Doc'n Roll Festival [Read More...]

Light Up
Five Black LGBTQ+ Atlantans celebrate their path to finding their authentic selves in this tender documentary - currently showing in various film festivals [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Boyd and J. Markus
Victoria Luxford interviews the two directors of American indie If You Should Leave Before Me; they discuss confronting loss, making a universal story of grief, filming with a real-life couple in the lead, designing and building a whole house on a low budget, and much more [Read More...]

If You Should Leave Before Me
The process of grief is presented in a captivating way in the Anderson brothers’ imaginative tale - from Raindance   [Read More...]

Where are you? I’m Here (Dove Sei? Io Sono Qui) 
Love blossoms when a young deaf man meets someone with the same world view in Liliana Cavani’s forthright Italian drama - watch it now with ArteKino Classics [Read More...]

Ciao Ciao
A nightmarish dinner party intersects with other narratives, in this funny and revelatory Maltese comedy of manners - from the 3rd Mediterrane Film Festival [Read More...]

APEX
A stranded traveller seeking shelter steps into an occult nightmare, in this impressive Canadian-Maltese horror short - from the 3rd Mediterranean Film Festival [Read More...]

Our Journey With Lobular Breast Cancer 
Tristan Loraine’s emotional documentary following his wife’s pursuit for better cancer treatment is a testament to the power of hope - from Raindance [Read More...]

Dali
A recently-deceased rap artist finds himself examining his life in this sympathetic, inventive independent drama - world premiere takes place at Raindance [Read More...]

Emma: One Last Dance
The final campaign of a women's football icon in Britain is displayed in a documentary that shows the personal price of success - world premiere takes place at Raindance [Read More...]

One-Way Ticket to the Other Side
Love, loss, and art are all explored in the visually daring accompaniment to the work of music duo Pornographie Exclusive - from Raindance [Read More...]

Abducted Files
The truth is out there for a motley crew of bizarre ufologists to see, in this playful found footage mockumentary from Brazil - world premiere takes place at Raindance [Read More...]

Why Not! (Pourquoi Pas!)
Three lovers sharing a house confront obstacles both everyday and extraordinary in Coline Serreau’s dirty classic, a movie well ahead of its time - from ArteKino Classics [Read More...]

Sirius (Szíriusz) 
The origins of the time travel movie come from an unlikely source in this ambitious, entertaining sci-fi adventure from Hungary - watch it now with ArteKino Classics [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Virginia Root
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of apocalyptic short film Dead Weight; they discuss routinely taking in world-ending events, empathy for your characters, shooting with the wind, the heat, cactus needles, and much more! [Read More...]

Dead Weight
A hiking survivor turns to practicality in the face of oblivion, in this thought-provoking short - from 2025 Dances with Films [Read More...]

The Man Who Thought Life (Manden Der Tænkte Ting)
A Twilight Zone-style psychological horror asks whether the mind can manipulate life itself, sending a doctor’s world into chaos - from ArteKino Classics [Read More...]

Our Father – The Last Days of a Dictator (Pai Nosso – Os Últimos Dias De Salazar) 
The fall of Portuguese dictator Salazar is seen through the eyes of his closest servants in this well-presented drama based on a true story - from IndieLisboa [Read More...]

Gods of Stone (Deuses de Pedra)
A town with ties to ancient lore finds itself the victim of progress, in this fascinating Spanish doc - from IndieLisboa [Read More...]

Problem of the Hero
The imagined debates of two real-life literary titans is brought to life in this intense and ruminative drama - from various film festivals [Read More...]

The Murderers Are Among Us (Die Mörder Sind Unter Uns)
Post-war classic starring kinostar Hildegard Knef captures a Germany riddled with trauma and guilt, against the backdrop of a Berlin still razed to the ground - from ArteKino Classics [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Cristobal Abugaber
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of filthy genius Mexican short The Perfect Tomato; he reveals how one vegetable can connect two different worlds, how to challenge negative portrayals of Mexico, the secrets of filming at night on a low budget, and much more! [Read More...]

Hello Beautiful
An emotionally compelling story sees Tricia Helfer play a successful model and mother whose life changes completely after a life-threatening diagnosis - from the Beverly Hills Film Festival [Read More...]

The Perfect Tomato (El Tomate Perfecto) 
The fields of rural Mexico feel like a warm and soothing dream, in this eloquent short film about the real priorities of life - from the Guanajuato International Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Carolina Perelman
The director of boozy, confessional Spanish drama Confesiones Chin Chin talks about "the tone and the spirit" of sharing secrets, her experience as a foreigner in Madrid, Miles Davis, Julio Cortázar, laughing and pooping at the theatre, and much more! [Read More...]

Confesiones Chin Chin
Set almost entirely inside a bar, this boozy Spanish drama is surprisingly profound, and guaranteed to make you feel lighter - from the Slamdance Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Christine Friedrich
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of [Read More...]

The Night is Dark and Colder than the Day
A group of school children collaborate with a German filmmaker in order to make a very different portrait of growing up - from the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Bruno Anković
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of Croatian war drama Celebration, which premiered at Karlovy Vary; they talk about his "cold" and surgical approach to filmmaking, remaining loyal to the original novel, shooting at night without lighting, desperate people doing bad things, and much more! [Read More...]

Celebration
Croatian soldier grapples with his morals as far-right extremism overtakes Europe - sleek and intelligent war drama premiered at the 58th Karlocy Vary International Film Festival [Read More...]

Victoria’s dirty questions top Catherine Argyrople
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of Growing Pains, a blend of coming-of-age and cancer survival drama; they talk about her experience with the disease in her childhood, eating disorders, LGBT+ sensibility, the importance of having women telling stories, and much more [Read More...]

Growing Pains
A string of delicate topics are explored in a coming-of-age story that approaches the teenage years with sensitivity - from the Boston International Film Festival [Read More...]

Agathe, Solange and Me (Agathe, Solange et Moi)
Filmmaker and old friend search through family films and letters, in this sincere ode to memory and loss - watch it for free this December only with ArteKino 2024 [Read More...]

Black Stone
Overprotective mother desperately seeks her troubled son, in this profound and meaningful comedy from Greece - watch it for free this December only with ArteKino 2024 [Read More...]

Do You Love Me?
Ukrainian girl's innocent view of the world collapses alongside the USSR, in this timely Ukrainian-Swedish co-production - watch it for free this December only with ArteKino 2024 [Read More...]

The Imminent Age (L’Edat Imminent)
A grandson tries to cling to the only family he knows in this quiet but affecting Spanish drama about ageing - from the 24th REC Tarragona International Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Nicolas Dozol
Victoria Luxford interviews the director of Last Party, an ambitious and reflective graduation drama with a dirty twist; they talk about filming in one continuous take, temporality between the audience and the characters, David Lynch, the teenage experience in film, and much more - read our exclusive interview [Read More...]

Last Party
A graduation party takes some surreal turns in Nicolas Dozol ambitious and reflective drama - from the Chelsea Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions do Sanjay Patel
The Indo-Canadian director of indigenous drama The Birds Who Fear Death talks to Victoria Luxford about hiring native talent, cultural and environmental challenges, working in the oil and gas industry, drawing inspiration from cancer, and much more [Read More...]

The Birds Who Fear Death
Two brothers searching for their inheritance find a lot more in this thoughtful Canadian drama about indigenous heritage - from the Calgary International Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Christopher Greenslate
The director of Bananahead, a horror-drama about an actor with a troubling legacy, gets [Read More...]

Bananahead
An actor with a troubling legacy finds dreams come at a cost in this impressive horror-drama - from the HollyShorts Film Festival [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to the Chinese-American daydreamer
Victoria Luxford interviews Ziyu Lou, the director of American Daydream; they talk about undocumented immigrants, language barriers, Confucian values, shifting from comedy to drama, and... cooking Chinese food for your cast and crew! [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Warren Fischer
The director of The Serena Variations - about an autistic violinist coaxed into taking drugs - talks about the pressures musicians face, taking psychedelics, the Niccolò Paganini connection, seeking the approval of mentors, and much more [Read More...]

American Daydream
Chinese-American doctor has to grapple with her passion for acting and her undocumented mother, in this non-judgmental take on the American Dream - from the HollyShorts Film Festival [Read More...]

The Serena Variations
The mind of an autistic violinist unravels as she is coaxed into taking drugs and pitted against her contemporaries - from Raindance [Read More...]

Israel’s equine weapon: Alina Orlov discusses treating horses and mistreating people
Victoria Luxford interviews Alina Orlov just as she premieres The Cavalry in Locarno; they talk about filming with the Israeli police, animal abuse as a metaphor for human authoritarianism, and raising awareness of what Israel "has been doing for the last more than half a century" [Read More...]

The Cavalry
Alina Orlov uses horses as a proxy for abuse of authority in Israel, in this courageous [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to Ziad and Christine
Victoria Luzford interviews Ziad H. Hamzeh and Christine Handy, the director and original writer/ exec producer of Hello Beautiful, an emotionally compelling drama about successful model, her mother, and a life-changing diagnosis [Read More...]

Our dirty questions to the two-hearted filmmakers
Victoria Luxford interviews Rory McHarg and Bret Miller, the two directors of A Two Hearted Tale, a colourful documentary about a peculiar beer label and a heartwarming local story [Read More...]

Tiny Lights (Svetylka)
We are invited to view the trials of a family through the eyes of their youngest member - Beata Parkanová’s inventive, thoughtful drama is in the Crystal Globe Competition of the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival [Read More...]

Trans Memoria
Thailand is the setting for a journey of reflection, identity, and pain in a deeply emotional documentary - from 58th Karlovy Vary International Film, Festival [Read More...]

Spheres
Swiss filmmaker Daniel Zimmermann spins us in circles in this self-describedyy "essay with images" - from the 58th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival [Read More...]

A Two Hearted Tale
The story behind a beer label becomes an enticing stroll through personal history in this colourful local film [Read More...]

My Killer Buddy (Io e il Secco)
Revenge, imagination, and fatherhood are all explored in this emotionally charged drama from Italy, playing at the 32nd edition of the Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

Searching for Amani
Murder, climate change and hope all play a big part in a bereaved young Kenyan’s search for the truth - touching documentary premieres at the 32nd Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

Smiling Georgia
No laughing matter: The lengths some politicians are willing to go in order to retain power can leave voters toothless - painful Georgian doc premieres at the 32nd edition of Raindance  [Read More...]

The Contestant
Japanese male is confined to a room naked and without food for more than a year, in a sadistic experiment that helped to spawn reality television - in cinemas on Friday, November 29th [Read More...]

National Anthem
Luke Gilford’s debut feature shows us what queer expression without restraint truly looks like, against the masculine backdrop of the Old West - from the 32nd edition of Raindance  [Read More...]

The Dead Don’t Hurt
Part-love story, part-revenge thriller, part-feminist Western revision, Viggo Mortensen's sophomore feature (on the director's seat) shows scrappy ambition, and gets flanked by two stellar performances - in cinemas on Friday, June 7th [Read More...]

We are Guardians
The Amazon Rainforest becomes a battleground for the planet, in this thoughtful American-Brazilian doc about the true cost of deforestation - from the 31st Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

Sex with Sue
Canadian [Read More...]

Does Christopher Nolan look down on his women?
Victoria Luxford writes in response to allegations that Christopher Nolan gives the female characters of Oppenheimer the "blow up doll" treatment, and that every single one of his films may have failed the Bechdel Test [Read More...]

Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy are both at their explosive best, in this artistically-led drama about the [Read More...]

It’s Burning (Es Brennt)
A shockingly racist confrontation symbolises a systemic problem in this prescient German drama - from the 32nd edition of Raindance [Read More...]

My Name is Alfred Hitchcock
The Master of Suspense guides you through his work in Mark Cousins's illuminating new documentary - on all major VoD platforms on Monday, July 24th [Read More...]

Punch
New Zealand drama blends boxing with gay romance, in a story that hits viewers right in the face - from the First Feature Competition of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival [Read More...]

The Accident (O Acidente)
Inspired by a true "accident", this debut Brazilian feature delves straight into challenging subject matter, grabbing you from the very beginning of a story that grows into a compelling moral maze - from the First Feature Competition of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival [Read More...]

Three Thousand Numbered Pieces (Haromezer Szamozott Darab)
Theatre director and Roma actors discuss their traumatic life, in this ambitious play-within-a film story - Hungarian drama premieres at the Rebel with a Cause strand of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival [Read More...]

Job Interview (Entrevista Laboral)
Experimental to the extreme, this dirty gem from Colombia portrays a young rapper and the impressive urban landscape that surrounds him - from the Rebel with a Cause strand of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival [Read More...]

Wake Up, Leonard
An LA actor tries to stay mindful in the chaos of this irreverent, modern comedy - from the 30th Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

Dogwatch
War may be hell, but this excellent Greek documentary shows that peace can also have its challenges - from the 30th Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

When We Speak
The costs of exposing the wrongs of the powerful are examined in this ambitious British documentary - from the 30th Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

Winners
This charming comedy from Iran celebrates childhood, community, and movies - from the 30th edition of the Raindance Film Festival [Read More...]

Compartment No. 6
A nightmare train journey becomes a tale of human connection in this intriguing European co-production - on all major VoD platforms on Friday, May 6th [Read More...]

King Richard
The biopic of tennis coach Richard Williams is a glossy but inspiring take on the American Dream, with a career-best performance from Will Smith - five-Oscar nominee is now in cinemas and also on various streaming platforms [Read More...]

West Side Story
Spielberg is a little too reverent to cinema history in a remake that searches for a purpose - Oscar winner is out on VoD on Wednesday, April 21st. [Read More...]

Drive My Car
This Oscar winner is a quietly wonderful exploration of grief and accepting the beauty of human complication - on all major VoD platforms on Friday, April 1st [Read More...]

Souad
Egyptian drama conducts a quiet and yet powerful examination of faith, societal pressure and family - in cinemas Friday, August 27th [Read More...]

Vanquish
Familiar actors fight their way through a dreadful John Wick imitation - on various Digital platforms on Friday, May 28th [Read More...]

The Virtuoso
The life of an assassin has never been duller, as this limp thriller clings to an Oscar winner’s involvement for some credibility - on Digital on Friday, April 30th and on DVD on Monday, May 10th [Read More...]

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
James Luxford sheds a new light on the dirty comedy classic from the late 1990s, just in time for the release of its special edition on April 19th [Read More...]

Ammonite
Francis Lee’s follow up to God’s Own Country is a disappointingly chilly romance with striking similarities to his previous endeavour – out on digital platforms from 26th March [Read More...]

The Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
This Japanese trio of short stories explores the power of the past in inventive ways - Silver Bear winner is on all major VoD platforms on Friday, July 1st [Read More...]

Willy’s Wonderland
Maximum Cage rage as the Oscar-winner takes on killer animatronics, in a film that is more fun than it has a right to be – out on Digital platforms from 12th February [Read More...]

You Cannot Kill David Arquette
The Hollywood actor seeks a blood-spattered redemption on the wrestling ring, as he grapples with his faltering career and tragic personal life - documentary is on VoD on Monday, November 23rd [Read More...]

Monsoon
Henry Golding is haunted by the past in this elegant British work of cinematic tourism - in cinemas Friday, September 25th [Read More...]

The New Mutants
This disjointed X-Men afterthought proves that some things aren't worth waiting for - the latest addition to the Marvel franchise is on Sky Cinema and NOW on Friday, June 11th [Read More...]

Babyteeth
Parents disapprove of a seriously-ill teen's dalliance, in this palpably human Australian drama dotted with familiar faces - on VoD on Monday, December 7th; on Netflix on Thursday, December 31st [Read More...]

An American Pickle
In an industry where even dead actors are getting new gigs, Seth Rogen playing two concurrent roles is nothing new, but the way he plays them is the true attraction - on Sky Cinema and NOW on Friday, April 30th [Read More...]

Perfect 10
This gritty, powerful take of a fractured family has echoes of Andrea Arnold's FISH TANK, and is guaranteed to enrapture audiences in Britain and beyond - out on Friday, August 7th [Read More...]

Summerland
Gemma Arterton shines in a wartime drama whose cosiness belies a revolutionary streak – on Sky Cinema and NOW on Saturday, July 31st; also on other platforms [Read More...]

Stage Mother
Texas church choir director inherits her late son's drag queen club, in this all-American comedy where all problems are solved with a jolly tune - on VoD on Monday, November 16th; on Netflix on Monday, December 7th [Read More...]

Litigante
A single mother cares for her ailing mother, with whom she has a stormy yet profound relationship, in this quietly impressive Colombian drama - on various VoD platforms in January [Read More...]

Hamilton
Ambition, love, and hip-hop combine to bring Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece to the small screen - out on Disney Plus on Friday, July 3rd [Read More...]