Animated, Written, Produced and Directed by Signe Baumane Released by Zeitgeist Films USA. 88 min. Not rated “Rocks In My Pockets: A funny film about depression,” Signe Baumane asserts at the end of the film’s trailer in her heavy Latvian accent. There couldn’t be a more concise statement that captures the core of her autobiographical […]
The Directors’ Fortnights at the Cannes Film Festival was established in 1969 as an alternative to the official selection, as a way of opening the door to “free and adventurous cinema” (per its program guide) and promoting new directors. It has since become a showcase for the up-and-coming, spotlighting Martin Scorsese, Michael Haneke, Werner Herzog, […]
Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner Produced by Didier Brunner, Philippe Kauffmann, Vincent Tavier, Stéphan Roelants & Henri Magalon; English version by Eric Beckman, David Jesteadt and Michael Sinterniklaas Written by Daniel Pennac, based on the books by Gabrielle Vincent; English adaptation by Stephanie Sheh Released by GKids. In French or English. […]
Written & Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on a graphic novel published in Monthly Model Graphix Produced by Toshio Suzuki Released by Studio Ghibli/Touchstone Pictures Japanese with English subtitles Japan. 126 min. Rated PG-13 Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki has announced his intention to retire more than once. So when, upon the premiere of this […]
Directed by Jung Henin & Laurent Boileau Written by Henin Released by GKids Belgium/France. 75 min. Not rated Currently there is a great deal of debate about the exportation of children from war-torn and other traumatized countries. A large number of adult international adoptees agree that the best option is always for a child to […]
Directed by Goro Miyazaki, English-language production directed by Gary Rydstrom Produced by Toshio Suzuki Written by Hayao Miyazaki, based on the serialized manga by Chizuru Takahashi & Tetsuro Sayama Released by GKIDS Japan. 91 min. Rated PG With the voices of Gillian Anderson, Sarah Bolger, Beau Bridges, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Fuhrman, Christina Hendricks, […]
Written, Produced & Directed by Stephan Schesch, based on the picture book by Tomi Ungerer Released by Tribeca Film France/German/Ireland. 96 min. Not rated More than four decades after the 1966 publication of Moon Man, a children’s tale by author/illustrator Tomi Ungerer, Stephan Schesch brings this simple story to life through animation. Maintaining the simplicity […]
Music, Art Direction, Animation Direction, Edited, Written & Directed by Terence Nance Produced by James Bartlett, Andrew D. Corkin & Nance Released by Variance Films USA. 84 min. Not rated With Terence Nance & Namik Minter The tender opening credits appear as hand drawn overlays over a beautiful sequence shot in the tunnels of the […]
Directed by Jean François Laguionie Produced by Eric Jacquot Written by Anik Le Ray Released Gkids France. 76 min. Not rated The Painting begins with the image of an empty picture frame that expands to fill the screen. It’s a succinct statement of the film to follow, which has all the charm and depth of […]