It’s been heavily agreed that “Mangrove,” the first entry of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” is the best of the five-film limited series, feeling the most cinematic and layered narrative structure. Shaun Parkes as Frank Crichlow delivers purity in his portrayal, and with his counterpart Letitia Wright likely one of the favorites in supporting actress, he could sneak in alongside her. – Clayton Davies
“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
Hakeem Kae-Kazim’s new role in Dynasty featured in Variety
