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Beeston Film Festival THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL IN THE MIDLANDS is the Beeston Film Festival. It is now open for its SIXTH year and now ranks in the top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals from the 8,000 festivals registered worldwide. The festival takes place over five days across several venues and screens over 120 films from 35 countries, creating a truly international cinematic experience. It will take place late March 2020. The Beeston Oscar, or B’Oscar, is presented to the best film in the following categories - Drama, Horror, Comedy, Documentary, Animation, Crime, Science Fiction and Student. Further prizes include Best Director, Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Acting Performance, Best Soundtrack & Sound Design, Women’s Voices and an Audience award, too. The selection process includes review by a team of local Beestonians who select the film accepted into the festival and determine the B’Oscar nomination shortlists. Our B’Oscar award jury comprises of film professionals from across the globe including UK, US, Belgium, France, India, and Taiwan. SEE MORE FILM FESTIVALS

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS This is a Man's World Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Rob Jones | Posted on: Mar 9, 2023 Directed by: Parastoo Azad Written by: Parastoo Azad, Khashayar Sepehri Starring: Lida Kheylnezhad, Khashayar Sepehri It’s the middle of the night, and an actress gets into the back of a cab on the way to a party. Everything starts off in a reasonably normal fashion as a chatty cab driver tries to pass the time by making conversation, asking her about her destination, how familiar she is with the area, and what she’s up to tonight. At least, this is all stuff that comes across as reasonably normal, and even pedestrian, to a man. As the story progresses and the driver’s intentions are made clear, we learn that he wasn’t just trying to make conversation previously, but rather that he had far more sinister intentions. This is a Man’s World delivers, if nothing else, an important message about how much more danger exists in the world for women. Shot in one take and with a single camera, we’re focused on our lead, played by Lida Kheylnezhad, as she reacts to the actions of the cab driver from start to finish. Visually, it’s reminiscent of films like Locke and Collateral, with its only lighting coming from street lights outside of the vehicle. Sometimes it’s difficult to make out facial expressions because of that, but in a way that adds to the tension of it all. As we look to our central character for guidance on how to feel about the situation that she’s in, it isn’t always immediately available. This creates a sense of unease and confusion which is entirely appropriate. Where This is a Man’s World perhaps lacks a little is that the whole experience of the encounter is the conversation in the back of the cab and what comes from it, which tends to be resolved fairly quickly. There is no big flourish and the drama comes to a peak before quickly deflating quickly. It does leave us with a reason for reflection and a slice of an experience that not everyone will be privy to, but it would have elevated the impact of the film if it were to leave us with more of a bang than a whimper. It’s very effective in creating a sense of fear and a reason for apprehension, and from that potentially comes an understanding from the audience which has a chance to make a difference. What could be quite a difficult watch for all its subtleties for someone who’s been in a similar situation before, could be quite an enlightening watch for someone who hasn’t. The dialogue is clever and meaningful in creating space for reflection in just what can be interpreted as menacing for good reason, but that just wouldn’t be considered by most without that first-hand experience. This is a Man’s World works in a number of ways, but it could have gone a lot further. In a way, it even feels like a first draft, but certainly the first draft of something with the potential to become quite special. About the Film Critic Rob Jones Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Chris Olson Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 1:22:58 PM UTC Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films . Mob boss Ben Myers (Dreyfuss – Jaws, Stand By Me ) has left his life of crime and violence behind him. Following a cancer diagnosis, he’s hung up his hand-gun and vowed to spend time with his family before it’s too late. But sometimes it’s not that easy to leave… When he returns home to discover his life savings have been stolen, he’s not going to take it lying down. Avoiding the legal route and choosing not to involve his police detective daughter (Mira Sorvino – Mighty Aphrodite ), Ben’s mobster mentality kicks in and he takes matters into his own hands… the thieves are going to pay, whatever the cost. Hell-bent on revenge, his hunt for the perpetrators becomes increasingly more brutal, Ben doesn’t care who gets caught in the crossfire. As the body count rises, Ben is forced to confront his past and question what he’s become. Will he find redemption and make peace with The Last Job ? Released on DVD and digital 30 August 2021 The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date ​ Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

Mosquito State Trailer MOSQUITO STATE A film by FILIP JAN RYMSZA Starring BEAU KNAPP, CHARLOTTE VEGA, JACK KESY and OLIVIER MARTINEZ AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON SHUDDER, 26TH AUGUST From director Filip Jan Rymsza and co-written by Rymsza and Mario Zermeno , the masterful allegorical psycho-thriller Mosquito State is available exclusively on Shudder from 26th August 2021. An official selection of the Venice Film Festival in 2020, Mosquito State was awarded the Bisato d’Oro for Best Cinematography as well as Best Special Effects at the Sitges Film Festival 2020. On the eve of the 2007 financial crisis, in an austere penthouse overlooking Central Park, isolated and obsessive Wall Street data analyst Richard Boca (Beau Knapp ) sees ominous patterns: His computer models are behaving erratically, as are the swarms of mosquitos breeding in his apartment, an infestation that attends his psychological meltdown. On Wall Street, they’re called “quants”—the intense data analysts whose mathematical prowess can make the difference between a fortune and a flop. Consumed with his work, Richard doesn’t often stray from his office or apartment. But when Richard decides to go to a company party, hosted by his ruthless boss (Olivier Martinez), he makes two acquaintances: the mysterious Lena (Charlotte Vega) and one pesky mosquito, both of which take root in his mind, altering his existence in profound ways. Finding common ground between Franz Kafka, David Cronenberg and Mary Harron’s American Psycho , director-screenwriter Filip Jan Rymsza emerges with a new kind of body horror, set during a single week of an exquisitely rendered pre-crash 2007 replete with signs of socio-political and economic rot. A hypnotic plunge into the fragile mentality of an individual who can see patterns long before the rest of us. In addition to Knapp (The Good Lord Bird , Seven Seconds ), the film stars Charlotte Vega (Wrong Turn , American Assassin ), Jack Kesy (The Outpost, Deadpool 2 ), and Olivier Martinez (Unfaithful , Before Night Falls ). Mosquito State was produced by Rymsza and Alyssa Swanzey for Royal Road Entertainment and Włodzimierz Niderhaus for WFDiF. MOSQUITO STATE arrives on SHUDDER on 26 August 2021 The Bezonians Official Trailer Greeks take on geezers in The Bezonians, a satirical Brit gangster thriller that gets its UK debut on DVD and digital this May from 101 Films. Streamline Dive into Streamline, an emotionally rich coming-of-age-film, and a supremely impressive directorial debut from Tyson Wade Johnston, who also penned the piece. This gritty and gripping feature is produced by Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe and stars Hollywood favourite Brit actor Jason Isaacs (The Harry Potter Franchise, Mass) is now set to wow UK audiences with its digital release on 11 April from 101 Films. Spears Watch the trailer for the indie film Spears, by filmmaker Gerard Lough. For more of the latest film trailers visit UK Film Review. First Date Check out the trailer for 101 Films' First Date. Help Official Trailer Help from filmmaker Blake Ridder releases official trailer. Watch the trailer for Help from filmmaker Blake Ridder. The Bad Guys Official Trailer DreamWorks launch official trailer for The Bad Guys. Nobody has ever failed so hard at trying to be good as The Bad Guys. Across the Spider-Verse Part One Trailer Following the huge success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Part One comes as no surprise but is certainly welcome. A Christmas Number One Official Trailer A Sky Original, A Christmas Number One is produced by Sky, Genesius Pictures, Lupus Films and Space Age Films. It will be available on Sky Cinema and streaming service NOW from 10 December. Spider-Man: No Way Home Official Trailer Currently slated for a UK release of December 15th, Spider-Man fans across the world were rocked with this official trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Eternals Final Trailer Directed by Chloé Zhao, the saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations. Moonfall Official Trailer Directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, and John Bradley, Moonfall is currently scheduled for a cinematic release in the UK in February 2022. Uncharted Official Trailer From Sony Pictures UK, check out the official first trailer for the highly-anticipated UNCHARTED, based on the hugely popular video game franchise of the same name. The Real Charlie Chaplin Official Trailer The Real Charlie Chaplin is an Archer’s Mark, Passion Pictures and Smaller Biggie production, in association with Ventureland and Fee Fie Foe. Belfast Official Trailer 2 From lauded director Kenneth Branagh, and starring an acclaimed ensemble cast, Belfast is a personal and joyful story about the power of memory, set in late 1960s Northern Ireland. The Batman Main Trailer Currently expected for a March 2022 release, The Batman (2022) starring Robert Pattinson is one of the most anticipated films of next year. Warner Bros dropped The Batman Main Trailer and DC fans have gone crazy with excitement. Resident Evil - Welcome to Raccoon City - Official Trailer The official first trailer and poster for RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY, the much-anticipated action horror based on the iconic videogame franchise, coming to cinemas 3 December. The Turn of the Screw Official Teaser Trailer Danny Arthur attacks in a prison officer in the hope to get moved off the wing, he has just joined Ambrose Cook in his cell, a black inmate who is waiting for his parole in a couple of months. The Beatles and India Trailer Now a new, award-winning feature documentary The Beatles and India from Silva Screen Productions and Renoir Pictures explores the lasting legacy from their ground-breaking visit to Rishikesh. Britney Vs Spears Trailer The world knows Britney Spears: performer, artist, icon. But in the last few years, her name has been publicly tied to another, more mysterious term: conservatorship. Britney vs Spears tells the explosive story of Britney’s life and her public and private search for freedom. A Boy Called Christmas Trailer In A Boy Called Christmas, an ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm.

Kieran Freemantle Kieran Freemantle is a film critic at UK Film Review. Follow On Twitter Read My Film Reviews

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS C.A.M. Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Jun 14, 2022 Directed by: Steph Du Melo Written by: Steph Du Melo Starring: Charlotte Curwood, Tom Ware, Jamie Langlands, Michael Swatton 1999. That was the year ‘The Blair Witch Project’ came out and changed the horror genre. It introduced ‘found footage’ to the masses - though the concept had long been common in literature, notably ‘The Castle of Otranto’. The unfortunate side effect of the film was the sudden emergence of millions of little, found-footage productions, all vying to be the next ‘Blair Witch’. ‘C.A.M’ is one of those films - lousily produced, lacking real horror, sub-par performances - but it’s also more than a little insensitive. 2020. That was the year that the world shut down. As the coronavirus pandemic hit we were all asked to remain indoors and stay away from our friends and family. The lockdown measures continued in many areas into, and throughout, 2021 - it’s little wonder therefore that there would be a host of films centred on viruses and pandemics. ‘C.A.M’ is one such film, exploiting the pandemic situation and people’s fears around it as the only way of generating terror in the audience. The film claims that its footage was found in 2013, documenting the start of a deadly new virus. A trainee tactical police unit, coincidentally wth a civilian camera crew, is sent to evacuate the workers of a meat processing plant where the virus is believed to have started. The infected workers are discovered to be displaying extreme violent behaviour, and they begin to realise the potential consequences should the virus spread. The sections of found footage are interspersed with an ‘interview’ between an unknown medical worker and an unnamed Alt-Media Interviewer, and a PowerPoint slide informing us of where they are and what’s going on. This structure doesn’t help the story in the slightest. Should the film focus solely on the found footage section it would illicit moments of fear and would maintain the suspense throughout, rather than killing any tension with a poorly acted phoney interview which adds little to the story. The corny PowerPoint slides in-between further remove the fear of the unknown - humanity’s greatest fear - from the equation. ‘C.A.M’ also suffers from a bizarre tone and inconsistent character emotions. It is intent on maintaining an almost mournful stance in the interviews but then becomes more jovial in the found-footage itself, meaning that you’re jumping around from the atmosphere of a funeral to that of a birthday party. With found-footage films, it is essential that the script (which you must remember is allegedly non-existent) is tight. These films tend to have actors of a lower quality - you’re not likely to see Leonardo DiCaprio in a found-footage anytime soon. Unfortunately, ‘C.A.M’ has a script which puts its actors (who aren’t the best to begin with) in an unenviable position. The whole premise of found-footage is that the dialogue mirrors that of everyday life; every word of ‘C.A.M’ feels strained, as though made by an A.I. still trying to adapt to the English language. ‘C.A.M’ is a complete mess. It doesn’t do what it should do - inspire terror - falling well short of the mark, at times coming off as a parody. That illusion is let down by its morbid tone in the interview, which only confuses where it should clarify. To add insult to injury - it’s insensitive and, especially at times like these, spreads a conspiracy theory which is extremely dangerous. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Pulse Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW When Rajat is talking to his brother by phone, the image is shown through the camera of their smartphones, which is a creative filming technique. Abhijit Roy develops beautiful cinematography and the music by Harsh Dave is dramatic and tense. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS El Conde Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jack Salvadori | Posted on: Feb 7, 2024 Directed by: Pablo Larraín Written by: Guillermo Calderón, Pablo Larraín Starring: Jaime Vadell, Gloria Münchmeyer, Alfredo Castro It got me since the first poster was released a year ago - since I saw the pale silhouette of Augusto Pinochet looking down over a dark background, engulfed in his long, firm and wrinkle-free cloak. And when I finally got the chance to watch Pablo Larraín’s latest effort with the highest expectations, I stared in awe at the greatest satire I’ve ever seen - a film that, even without its political background, is an irresistible dark comedy. Nicknamed "El Conde", Pinochet is introduced as French vampire Claud Pinoche, whose rise to power goes as far back as the days of the French Revolution. After dishonourable military successes in Chile, he fakes his historical death in 2006 to conduct a more quiet, private existence - and to escape legal allegations. But his earthly existence is not over, and stumbling around with a walking frame, he sips on frozen human hearts. His castle? A decrepit villa by the sea. Struck with an existential dilemma after the disappointing downfall of his historical reputation, he courts death and wishes to finally rest, but his greedy wife Lucía keeps him alive by adding blood to his meals. When their five good-for-nothing bloodsucking children visit him, their only concern being their long-due inheritance, they bring an accountant along to clear up the several secret bank accounts dispersed around the globe. She happens to be a tempting nun in disguise who, while trying to exorcise the ex-dictator, also awakens in him a new thirst for life- and blood. And so, flying over the night skies of Santiago, Pinochet casts a terrifying shadow that still looms over Chile. With a surprising and hilarious political crossover, the Chilean director digs his teeth in the arteries of his country, delivering his funniest and most inventive film to date. About the Film Critic Jack Salvadori Netflix < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS All the Old Knives Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Apr 7, 2022 Directed by: Janus Metz Written by: Olen Steinhauer Starring: Chris Pine, Thandiwe Newton, Laurence Fishburne Blending a modern worldview with a slow-burn vibe, All the Old Knives reveals itself as a well-constructed thriller that often recalls those classic espionage yarns from the 70s. The underrated Chris Pine gives another standout performance as Henry Pelham, a CIA vet who’s directed by his boss (Laurence Fishburne) to reopen a painful case from the past. Back in 2012, they both were stationed in Vienna when counter-terrorism efforts to thwart a hijacking went tragically wrong. But new information has emerged that suggests the terrorists had help from a fellow agent, so Henry must revisit members of the team – including his old flame Celia (Thandiwe Newton) – to root out the mole. Based on the best seller by Olen Steinhauer (who also pens the script), the film is admittedly heavy on dialog, but director Janus Metz (Borg vs. McEnroe, True Directive, Armadillo ) proves masterfully adept at fleshing out important contrasts in past and present. His camera remains purposefully static for the modern settings, while a more free-flowing approach to the flashbacks helps to offset all the descriptive recollections by pulling us into crisply detailed reenactments. The ensemble (which also includes the great Jonathan Pryce) is top-notch. Each actor digs into the intelligent wordplay, picturesque locales and shadows of doubt on the way to crafting complex humans with something to lose. The third act may bog down just a touch, with a hand that’s tipped perhaps a beat or two early, but none of that keeps the film from sticking its landing. There’s plenty of blame to go around in the often nasty business of global politics, and All the Old Knives makes that history lesson personal. About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release, Amazon Prime < All Reviews Next Film Review >

UKFRF 2022 Submissions Now Closed! ALL films submitted receive the following: ​ ✔ Consideration for our annual online film festival ✔ A complimentary (free) film review by one of the UK Film Review movie critics published on our website ​ All Official selections receive the following: ​ ✔ An "Official Selection" laurel image to add to your artwork ✔ A screening during our online film festival during our event ✔ An official Online Distribution Deal with UK Film Channel after the event ✔ A feature on our Film Podcast . ✔ Promotion on our social media platforms ​ All Winners receive the following: ​ ✔ Everything that official selections get PLUS: ✔ A "Winner" laurel image to add to your artwork ✔ A Filmmakers Interview on our website or via Zoom Love this fest! Chris and UK Film Review are such amazing supporters of independent film and their festival was amazing! Holt Boggs, Director UK Film Review Festival The UK Film Review Festival was created during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as a way of supporting indie filmmakers during the tumultuous times of lockdown and global shrinkage within the film industry. ​ It's an online film festival with all screenings of official selections taking place on our sister VOD platform - UK Film Channel. ​ Ours is a very unique film festival in the UK and internationally, as we not only showcase some of the best talent from across the globe, we also want to promote every singly filmmaker who submits their film to our online film festival .

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Who I Am Not - BFI Flare Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Amber Jackson | Posted on: Mar 21, 2023 Directed by: Tünde Skovrán Written by: Sharon-Rose Khumalo and Dimakatso Sebidi Starring: Sharon-Rose Khumalo and Dimakatso Sebidi The outstanding centrepiece film for BFI Flare, Who I Am Not is an intimate look into the lives of two intersex South Africans and the challenges they face within sex and gender binaries. Working in collaboration with director Tünde Skovrán, beauty queen Sharon-Rose Khumalo and intersex rights activist Dimakatso Sebidi take the viewer on a journey through the medical, societal and their personal challenges as intersex people. This is a deeply emotive film and should be celebrated for its candour into the lives of two individuals seeking to accept themselves despite societal definitions and celebrates authentic difference. ‘Intersex’ is an umbrella term for a diversity of identities and commonly refers to a person born with a combination of male and female biological traits. The documentary posits that at least 150 million people worldwide identify as intersex and do so in different ways, as whilst Sharon-Rose Khumalo is female-presenting and identifies as a woman, Dimatatso Sebidi is still on their own journey of self-discovery and uses they/them pronouns. Khumalo takes the viewer through these definitions, along with real life conversations that she and Sebidi have on camera with partners, doctors, first dates and potential employers. Struggling with familial issues, not being able to have biological children and looking for suitable employment that is accepting are just some of the daily issues that they both handle. There are plenty of uncomfortable and upsetting moments on camera, as their identities are interrogated or misunderstood, but ultimately these two individuals seek to focus on the honesty and integrity of these moments as they wish to educate a wide audience on what it means to be an intersex person. This film is vibrantly unique and does not adopt a traditional documentary format. Tünde Skovrán’s direction is artistic and arguably experimental in feel, as the camera lingers on bodies and aesthetics to tell two different stories that share a common thread. Likewise, water and cleaning are heavily utilised images throughout the film as if to point to ideas of cleansing or rebirth. Whilst Khumalo and Sebidi have different gender expressions and understandings of their own identities as intersex people, they work together very naturally in this documentary and support each other through each of their experiences. Likewise, their raw and deeply personal interactions with family members and friends are filmed, which are sensitive and incredibly moving moments that the viewer is permitted to watch. For them to raise awareness in this format is mind-blowing and wonderful, as worldwide audiences will benefit so much from the openness of these discussions and the beautiful images that accompany them. Who I Am Not is not only bold in its stylistic choices, but also interrogates what it means to self-define one’s identity from multiple perspectives. Khumalo and Sebidi are provided with a safe space on screen to explore their own communities within the context of their intersex identities which makes for some compelling viewing. Likewise, they raise questions of faith and religion and what they understand “God’s image” to mean in a climate where they are viewed as ‘atypical’. The filmmakers have done a fantastic job at creating a film that expertly raises awareness of intersex life and the hardships that may come within that, but also in allowing Khumalo and Sebidi to maintain their own agency and tell their own stories. It makes the film more remarkable and captivating, but also educational about intersex identity, as a result. What BFI Flare has so expertly handled this year is an incredible selection of films with an overarching theme of self-acceptance and a willingness to share personal struggle. Who I Am Not is also compelling in this way as those within the film are unashamed to question the society that governs them. It is a beautifully crafted documentary dedicated to all intersex people and is not a film to be missed. Who I Am Not will receive its UK premiere as the BFI Flare centrepiece screening on Tuesday 21st March 2023. To find out more about this, or the other films featured at BFI Flare 2023, see the BFI website or read more of our BFI Flare coverage at www.ukfilmreview.co.uk About the Film Critic Amber Jackson Documentary, Film Festival, World Cinema, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS In Too Deep Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Brian Penn | Posted on: Aug 13, 2023 Directed by: Chris Overton Written by: James Spillman Starring: Rachel Shenton, Stephen Wight, Madeleine McKenna The sudden death of a loved one is a crushing blow; but when a young child is involved the loss is even more profound and heart rending. Mourning an unfulfilled life disturbs the natural order; after all a parent should never outlive their children. But how do the grieving parents cope with the trauma; can they ever reach a happy place in their lives again? In Too Deep explores the scenario with a couple picking over the emotional wreckage and seemingly unable to move forward. Ben (Stephen Wight) sits alone in a house surrounded by memories of his daughter Jess (Madeleine McKenna). Every inch of every wall is adorned with pictures of Jess. A home video plays on repeat as Ben burns every frame into his memory. The seaside plays host to a happy family having fun on the beach. Jess, Ben and his wife Carol (Rachel Shenton) look the picture of domestic bliss. But a destressing memory breaks the idyll and Ben is again confronted by reality. Carol and Ben are living apart and trying to make sense of what happened. They both lost their daughter but still find insufficient comfort in sharing their grief. Carol begs Ben to attend counselling but her pleas ultimately fall on deaf ears. She wonders how he can manage his mental health without help or support. Chris Overton’s canny direction shows two people cut adrift by tragedy. The scene transitions are well executed and only hint at what actually happened. The focus lands on the aftermath and those left to pick up the pieces. Carol and Ben’s reactions are authentic and chilling. A shedload of emotions jostle for prominence; shock, anger and disbelief are all to be expected. They clearly resonate in this powerful film and the viewer will immediately buy into the characters portrayed. Like all good short films an unexpected punch is delivered in the final frames, and shows where coping strategies might lead. The ability to come terms with grief and draw a line under the loss is no easy task. This important film is brave enough to ask the question but finding the answer is another matter entirely. About the Film Critic Brian Penn Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >