★★★ Croatian gay drama Sandbag Dam initially caught my attention amongst the Berlin Film Festival lineup, as its premise deeply resonated with me on a personal level. Coming-of-age films in the queer space have many similarities typically, leaning into familiar tropes, coming out scenarios, homophobia from peers, and often tragic endpoints. What sets Sandbag Dam … Continue reading Berlinale 2025: Sandbag Dam
Berlinale 2025: Space Cadet
★★★★ Quirky animated films are enough of a gamble as is, so throw in an entirely dialogue-free script, and they could become nearly impenetrable. The fact that this formula works on any level is a testament to the simplistic beauty at play. Ironically, taking a minimalistic approach to dialogue leads to some of my favorites, … Continue reading Berlinale 2025: Space Cadet
Berlinale 2024: La Cocina
★★★ On the heels of FX’s red-hot restaurant nightmare The Bear, any projects set in this world will no doubt be compared for years to come. Such is the case for writer/director Alonso Ruizpalacios drama, La Cocina, which debuted at 2024’s Berlinale International Film Festival. Running over two hours in length, La Cocina has lofty … Continue reading Berlinale 2024: La Cocina
Berlinale 2024: Young Hearts
★★★★ Young Hearts might as well be a paint-by-numbers gay pre-teen coming of age drama, and yet, I fell in love with its charming love story. It takes quite the careful touch to toe the line between what feels too risque to be watching unfolding with fourteen-year-old boys. Against all odds, Young Hearts manages to … Continue reading Berlinale 2024: Young Hearts
Berlinale 2023 Wrap-Up
2023’s Berlinale compiled another excellent, deeply varied roster of films. Check out our full coverage of this year’s exciting film festival offerings after the jump! Films ALMAMULA I love a horror-tinged queer drama almost more than I can describe in words; last year's Hypochondriac perfectly epitomized this. Almamula, a French/Argentinian/Italian production, is unfortunately almost entirely … Continue reading Berlinale 2023 Wrap-Up
Berlinale 2023: Mal Viver and Viver Mal
★★★★ (Written by Sean Boelman, disappointment media) João Canijo’s Mal Viver and Viver Mal—translating to “Bad Living” and “Living Bad”—are two of the more interesting films in this year’s Berlinale lineup, as they are companion pieces. Billed as a “shot/reverse shot,” Canijo’s duology is well-made and intriguing, even if its novelty begins to wear thin … Continue reading Berlinale 2023: Mal Viver and Viver Mal
Berlinale 2023: Femme
★★★★★ The modern queer thriller soars to previously unforeseen heights in searing, sexually-charged Femme. Based on the short film of the same name, writer/director duo Sam F. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping craft a harrowing revenge tale unlike anything I have ever seen before. After a shocking gay bashing, lust and longing give way to … Continue reading Berlinale 2023: Femme
Berlinale 2023: Silver Haze
★★★★★ (Written by Sean Boelman, disappointment media) Back in 2019, the film Dirty God picked up a great deal of acclaim on the festival circuit after beginning its run at Sundance and became one of the most underseen gems of that year. Its writer-director and star duo, Sacha Polak and Vicky Knight, have reunited for … Continue reading Berlinale 2023: Silver Haze
Berlinale 2023: Deep Sea
★★★★ Animation as a medium is often undersung and underestimated—all the more reason to seek out nearly every animated film that I come across. In recent years, some of my favorite animated features have emerged from the film festival circuit. Last year alone, 2D-animated marvel Titina, bizarre ultra-gory Unicorn Wars, stop motion horror fantasy Wendell … Continue reading Berlinale 2023: Deep Sea
NYICFF 2022: Oink
★★★★ Feeling as if it came straight from the mind of Wes Anderson, stop-motion-animated Oink is a hilarious treat the whole family can enjoy! Banned for 25 years from a prestigious sausage contest, two rival butchers are back in action now for the 100th iteration. Who will be crowned Sausage King of the Century? For … Continue reading NYICFF 2022: Oink