Festivals

The Eternal Daughter stars the inimitable three-time Golden Globe-nominated actor Tilda Swinton, who takes on dual roles in this mother-daughter horror story about the relationship between Julie Hart, a filmmaker, and her aging mother, Rosalind. Not to be forgotten, Rosalind’s dog, Louis, is played by Swinton’s own dog, also named Louis.

Stories of revenge permeate cinema — so much so that if extraterrestrials had to write up a report on humankind based only on an observational surveying of our most popular entertainment, they could be forgiven for arriving at the belief that accountability was only possible through eye-for-an-eye violence. But there is another side to the pain of loss to that which typically motivates vengeance.

Authenticity is key in Danish director Frelle Petersen’s third feature film Forever, which is in the main competition at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. In a very naturalistic style, the film follows a tight-knit family of four in the rural part of Southern Denmark.

At the 70th San Sebastián International Film Festival, which takes place from September 16-24, eight of the 13-title lineup of films in the New Directors section are directed by women. Nicaraguan director Laura Baumeister and Danish director Katrine Brocks are among them.

Set in the world of haute cuisine, The Menu is a delicious combination of satire, horror, and comedy starring Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, with a supporting cast which includes Judith Light and Nicholas Hoult. The Menu is in some ways representative of our current foodie culture, which entered the zeitgeist some decades ago when waiters began to spout the origin story of each ingredient, culminating in the all-important phrase ‘farm to table.

After 15 years and 5 films as James Bond, Daniel Craig has already earned his place in cinema history as one of the most iconic characters of all time. But with his second appearance in the TIFF-premiered Glass Onion: A Knives Out as famed Southern detective, Benoit Blanc, the English actor may be creating another even more memorable new character; a cinematic cousin to Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.

The human need for social connection and an acceptance of basic personal expression is universal. When societies make certain groups feel unwelcome or unsafe in expressing themselves — or, indeed, simply existing — people will eventually create spaces that affirm their identity.

Catherine Called Birdy is director Lena Dunham’s comedy about just turned thirteen-year-old Catherine (Bella Ramsey), who becomes available for marriage with the arrival of her menstrual period, to any prosperous suitor her father chooses – most of them old and undesirable – in order to rescue her family’s dire economic position, brought about by her father’s poor management of the household finances. The film amusingly documents Catherine’s willful attempts to escape the role to which she has been assigned.

Don’t Worry Darling was on everyone’s tongue at TIFF. The film which premiered at the Venice Film Festival was the target of much discussion and little of it had to do with the film itself.