“Alice”
Stories by and about women dominated SXSW’s narrative competition, but the winner (according to the jury, at least) was this tiny French drama about a mother who’s surprised to learn that her husband has emptied their bank account on high-end escorts. More surprising still, she decides that the only way to save her apartment from immediate foreclosure is to embrace the same line of work. But this is no “Belle de Jour”: Australian-born director Josephine Mackerras’ Paris-set debut doesn’t go where you’d expect, focusing on how sex work becomes an act of empowerment and self-awakening for this particular woman. — Peter Debruge
Posts Tagged ‘Film Review’
Variety review by Peter Debruge of Josephine Mackerras’ ‘Alice’
In Josephine Mackerras, Uncategorized on March 18, 2019 at 12:42 pmCalcutta Taxi’s Review by Close Up Film
In Calcutta Taxi, Film on November 19, 2013 at 12:38 pm“What’s amazing about Calcutta Taxi is that it manages to cram so much in it’s ere 20 minute time frame. Vikram Dasgupta is a man to watch”. – Close Up Film
“Sailcloth starring John Hurt is as intriguing as the latest Hollywood Blockbuster” – Filmslate Magazine
In Academy Awards, Elfar Adalsteins, John Hurt, Sailcloth on December 13, 2011 at 11:56 pm
“Sailcloth, written and directed by Elfar Adalsteins and starring the legendary John Hurt (“Elephant Man,” “Alien,” “V for Vendetta”) is a visually stunning, silent short that is as intriguing as the latest Hollywood blockbuster.” – Jamie Paszko, Filmslate Magazine.
Read the full article here: http://www.filmslatemagazine.com/interviews/interview-elfar-adalsteins
John Hurt also talks to Film Slate Magazine about Sailcloth and says “Elfar Adalsteins, the director, is bound to be a director we’ll hear from”.
Reviews of Sailcloth starring John Hurt, Directed by Elfar Adalsteins
In John Hurt, Sailcloth on December 8, 2011 at 8:45 pmThe heartfelt film ‘Sailcloth’ created and directed by Elfar Adalsteins is already award winning by taking the ‘Grand Jury Prize’ at the Rhode Island Film Festival to a standing ovation. It has also been selected as a 2012 Academy Short Film Award candidate.
Sailcloth shares the poignant story of an elderly widower (John Hurt) as he sets in motion a series of events to hide his disappearance from a nursing home. After gathering necessities he heads to the local pier where a beloved companion awaits him – ready for their last great journey.
This wonderful film is eligible for consideration in the upcoming 84th Academy Awards.
“Hurt’s silent performance is a masterclass in wistful determination and gently shifting expression, while Karl Oskarsson’s imagery and Richard Cottle’s score perfectly complement the delicacy and poignancy of Adalsteins’s direction. A little gem.” – David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
“Beautifully shot and with a star performance from John Hurt, Elfar Adalsteins’ short film Sailcloth could be sailing its way to the Oscars”. – Sarah Cooper, Screen Daily
“Sailcloth: John Hurt’s silent sea adventure.” – Tim Masters, BBC News
“For a film that has no words, it surely says a lot. Dialogue has been replaced with expressive acting and sounds, a testimony to the director (Elfar Adalsteins), the actor (John Hurt) and the composer (Richard Cottle). A must see short film that has genuinely struck at the heart.” – Darren Cheers, Huffington Post
“Sailcloth is a wonderfully tight little movie that unlike most short films actually moves. Warm, poignant and ultimately uplifting, Sailcloth may just prove to be the little film that could this awards season.” – David Watson, Filmjuice
“Sailcloth is a ’tissues-at-the-ready’ inspirational tale. Hurt’s performance is most remarkable. The film’s emotional pull is such that it’s already made the long list of nominees for the shorts category at next year’s Academy Awards. Expect it to have made the short list before the year is out.” – Timothy E Raw, DVD Outsider
“Adalsteins’ direction is assured and commands a steady, deft grip on a beautifully melodic film, he has managed to give us an understated but defiant encapsulation of the triumph of the human spirit, all in the space of just 20 short minutes.” – Jean Lynch, Up-Close Film
Reviews for ‘The Sea Is All I Know’ starring Melissa Leo, directed by Jordan Bayne
In Film The Sea Is All I Know on December 8, 2011 at 7:53 pm‘The Sea Is All I Know’ stars Oscar Winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Peter Gerety (The Wire) and encompasses the controversial subject of assisted suicide. Through this extraordinary journey the film shares a story of love in the face of death.
This wonderful film is eligible for consideration in the upcoming 84th Academy Awards.
OSCAR BEST BET : “The Sea Is All I Know,” starring Melissa Leo…Macdonald calls it an “incredibly moving tale of family and faith. Melissa Leo gives a heart-wrenching, typically brilliant performance.”
FILMMAKERS TO WATCH : “Jordan Bayne: Does such a great job of directing Melissa Leo and Peter Gerety, among others, in the “Sea Is All I Know,” that I likewise cannot imagine her career languishing. She has a very bright future ahead of her in American cinema.” – Darryl MacDonald, Executive Director, Palm Springs International ShortFest
“A Tour De Force…Moving, Painterly, Human…A Brilliant Film” – Jett Loe, FilmTalk
“Through excellent casting and classic story telling Bayne has created an Oscar worthy unconventional love story ‘The Sea Is All I Know’’. – Kimberly Jessie, The Huffington Post
“The Sea Is All I Know” is “emotional, haunting, and honest”. Writer Director Jordan Bayne “allows the viewer to get pulled into the characters’ inner conflict. Leo’s raw, jaw-dropping performance can take an audience’s breath away. Gerety (“The Wire”) is so perfectly cast, he turns in an outstanding and multilayered performance”…. “The film ”packs an emotional punch as is, reminding you that even in the darkest places, family, hope, and love can be found.”
– Jessica Gardner, Back Stage West
“The Sea Is All I Know starring Melissa Leo and Peter Gerety “is powerful, haunting, and memorable. It is beautifully human, and a rare gem because of it, and it will stay with you long after the film ends.” – Henry K, Brave New Hollywood
“It is amazing so you are able to tell such a meaningful and intense story is such a short period of time. This film is wound so tight and so powerful that the you find that you were holding your breath throughout. The short is very smartly and sharply directed by Jordan Bayne.” – Media Mikes
“Jordan Bayne’s poised and delicate direction and excellent acting from Leo and Gerety provides 28 minutes of poignant storytelling.” -Josh Lyons, The Coach Potato Club
“The film is an incredibly moving and immersive experience; filled with meaning and worthy of the highest praise. I expect we’ll see much more from this bright young director in the future.” – Richard Lennox, Filmoria
“Probably the most important thing about filmmaking, that you really know what your story is, and you restrict it to only the things that are necessary to tell that story. The Sea Is All I Know is a complete, short story about loss—and, perhaps, a little hope.” – Nicole Potter, Films in Review
“This short movie superbly tackles contentious moral issues with skillful acting and direction. Thoroughly recommended and thought provoking, this is a film that portrays a familiar subject with a personable and unique perspective.” Darren Cheers, Huffington Post
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