★★★★ Perhaps the most interesting film I watched out of the Pan African Film Festival’s 2021 selection, Executive Order, is a Brazilian drama that feels timely and shocking. It first lets us observe these characters in their natural habitats—what they do for fun, how they coexist in a world already against them, and the kinds … Continue reading SXSW 2021: Executive Order
Pan African Film Festival 2021: Red Pill
★ Red Pill bears the distinction of being the most obnoxiously political mess I’ve seen from modern horror. The closest movie that came to mind in comparison was The First Purge, but at least that had some entertaining moments. This dashes into politics right off the bat, with zero sense of subtlety to the dialogue … Continue reading Pan African Film Festival 2021: Red Pill
Pan African Film Festival 2021: The Water Man
★★★ The satisfying hybrid of fantasy and adventure has been thrilling family audiences for decades, and The Water Man is the newest member of this exclusive circle. Younger audiences especially are sure to get the most out of the film’s whimsical style. I didn't even realize this was David Oyelowo's directorial debut, but he does … Continue reading Pan African Film Festival 2021: The Water Man
Pan African Film Festival 2021: Caged Birds
★★★ Making its debut at the Pan African Film Festival, crackling drama Caged Birds is overflowing with potent commentary. The dangers of bullying, gun violence, unjust incarceration, and racial profiling in schools are among the vital topics tackled by writer/director Fredrick Leach. Occasionally hampered by the lower budget and, thusly, rough around the edges, Caged … Continue reading Pan African Film Festival 2021: Caged Birds