Goldbeater

"A genuinely wacky romance directed by David Lynch with one really great head shot and numerous references to The Wizard of Oz. As the years go by, I find that Lynch's films mature like wine with each viewing, and I appreciate Wild at Heart more and more." That's what I wrote here about the film exactly ten years ago, and today, after several more viewings, including one on a big screen, I can only add that it is simply a unique achievement, both in David Lynch's filmography and in world cinema in general. [KVIFF 2022]

Instant 1980s, perfectly executed filmmaking and always a great viewing experience. A film about returning to which it is a pleasure to return once in a while. Finally seen on the big screen. [KVIFF 2022]

A film of films, an absolute classic. Finally seen on the big screen and with heavy tears during "Over the Rainbow". [KVIFF 2022]

John Cassavetes, the uncrowned king of the American independent scene, gives a glimpse into the inner workings of an ageing stage actress who doesn't have to fight any inner demons, but herself. And it's 144 minutes long, so if you don't feel beforehand that the subject matter is something for you, you'd better keep your hands off Premiere. [KVIFF 2022]

A very compelling biographical drama based on top-notch performances, not only by Oscar-winning Geoffrey Rush, but also by the young Noah Taylor and the excellent Armin Mueller-Stahl. On the subject of "how to make a musical genius with a hard hand and what price it will exact", Shine is a bit of a precursor to the thriller Whiplash, though it approaches the material in a much more conventional and restrained way, which I don't see as a bad thing. There is really very little to fault. [KVIFF 2022]

Close is a relatively simple, but extremely emotionally charged drama, which stands on excellent performances (the child actors in particular deserve praise) and the sensitive direction of Lukas Dhont. It's very tear-jerking, but never overly so, the director managed to find a great harmony in how to dose the emotions. [KVIFF 2022]

A harsh, in many scenes downright unpleasant look into the world of teenage misfits who, through their incredible depravity and cruelty, manage to find the germs of affection and friendship. [KVIFF 2022]

Brainwashed brings good insights, interesting analyses and a few things to think about, but when the director only cites her own works as examples of "how to do it right", it comes across as tooting her own horn. [KVIFF 2022]

This film is beating inside me. I would not like to admire it just because of the common phrase "good for a Czech film", although that is what it is. The manifesto of Wiński et al. is itself apt and I agree with it in principle on many, many points. At the same time, the creators say that they do not consider their works to be perfect, and I would underline that here. I can't help feeling that the script downplays the issues presented in an unrealistic way and the character arc comes across as too simple. Borders of Love is actually a film where I could have imagined some extra twenty minutes, some extra plot loop, some extra viewer satisfaction, but unfortunately I got none. Nevertheless, I recommend it, as a Czech film, it definitely stands out from most of the current production. [KVIFF 2022]

A believable, very human immersion into the world of young modern Sioux who are still searching for their place in the world decades after their ancestors were irrevocably uprooted. It's beautifully put together, remarkably acted and I understand what it's trying to say, yet I must cynically add that it simply lacks the pull at the gate that would have got me as a viewer in the finale. [KVIFF 2022]