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Bantú Mama, a quiet story of connections
Bantú Mama, is a quiet and largely visual story about identity, the longing for roots, and the deep connections between people and places. It’s in the running for best international feature film entry from the Dominican Republic for the upcoming Oscars. There are some spoilers ahead.
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Stars at Noon, new film from director Claire Denis
Stars at Noon grabbed my immediate attention because it was directed by Claire Denis. It stars Margaret Qualley, who was so wonderful in Maid. I went into it expecting something good. I’m sorry to report it was disappointing.
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Jaula (The Chalk Line) brings Spanish suspense and horror
Jaula is a Spanish film available on Netflix under the title The Chalk Line. It stars Elena Anaya, who has been in several English language shows in small parts. Here she’s the lead in a film that can’t decide if it’s a mystery, a horror movie, or a psychological thriller.
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The Time It Takes (El tiempo que te doy), a series of shorts
The Time It Takes (El tiempo que te doy) takes a different approach to thinking about love, loss, and grief. The Spanish series of 10 shorts takes us from the beginning to the end of a relationship (or is it the end?).
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Leona, character study of a free spirit
In Leona, a Jewish woman living in Mexico City, an artist, finds herself struggling with her love for a non-Jewish man. She was a free spirited soul who didn’t especially want the traditional path of most women in her community.
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Father of the Bride, cheerful wedding comedy Cuban style
Father of the Bride has been made twice before, but not like this Cuban/Mexican melange of English, Spanish, tradition, and modernity. It is lighthearted and fun and something to cheer you up a bit after a day of dreary news.
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Intimacy (Intimidad), hard hitting Spanish drama
Intimacy (Intimidad), set in the beautiful Spanish city of Bilboa, hits hard on themes of privacy, sexism, and justice under a patriarchy. It features multiple women who all have a similar problem with intimate imagery and revenge p0rn being used to harm them.
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Review: Prayers for the Stolen (Noche de fuego)
Prayers for the Stolen (Noche de fuego) was Mexico’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards. The heart breaking film was written and directed by Tatiana Huezo from a novel by Jennifer Clement [affiliate link].
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Daughter from Another Mother (Madre Solo hay Dos), season 2
Daughter from Another Mother (Madre Solo hay Dos) is back for season 2 on Netflix with its bright, comedic take on babies switched at birth and strained parenthood and relationships. There are a couple of spoilers ahead.
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Review: With Love, let’s hit all the holidays
With Love is a too quick 5 episode romp through the holidays with an extended family. By holidays, I mean Nochebuena, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, and Día De Los Muertos. As we travel through the year we explore the love lives of various members of the family.
Reviews of movies and TV focused on women