In today’s 4for4 Menu Interview, we chat with Tom Huang, director of Dealing with Dad, to get some insight on the film, their process, their thoughts, and other fun things we can cram into a 15 min press meet!
Category: Festival Coverage
Interview with ‘Dawning’ Director, Young Min Kim
In today’s 4for4 Menu Interview, we chat with Young Min Kim, director of Dawning, to get some insight on the film, their process, their thoughts, and other fun things we can cram into a 15 min press meet!
Interview with ‘The World’s Greatest’ Director, Judy Lei
In today’s 4for4 Menu Interview, we chat with Judy Lei the director of the film, The World’s Greatest, for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. to get some insight on the film, their process, their thoughts, and other fun things we can cram into a 15 min press meet!
SFF22: ‘Utama’ Review
Utama is a monumental debut that blends themes about climate change and rigorous filmmaking.
There are moments where you truly realize you are watching something really special. I mean some films you can really tell that the director and team put so much care into it. What is even more special is when you watch a directorial debut that you can truly feel that its director is going to be an incredible force in cinema. When it comes to Utama, the film does all that and more.
Utama is written and directed by Alejandro Loayza Grisi. The film stars José Calcina, Luisa Quispe, Candelaria Quispe, Placide Ali, and Félix Ticona. The film is shot by cinematographer Barbara Alvarez. The film was part of the World Cinema Dramatic competition. Utama took home the Grand Jury Prize in World Cinema Dramatic.
In the film, we follow the journey of an elderly Bolivian couple who live in the rural areas of Bolivia. The couple is content with living on their land, but their grandson pays them a visit. Their grandson tries to convince them to move out, especially with a growing concern for the grandfather’s health. Along with health concerns, there is a fear of the diminishing amount of water that is readily available to the residents of the region.
Utama is a magnificent film through and through that is expertly crafted to communicate a multitude of themes. Its visual language is strikingly beautiful and framed with excellence to capture a pessimistic atmosphere. One would possibly find this a problem for them but if anything it kept me tied to the film. You can see the growing concern for the area and it is accompanied by a rich color palette. The cast works well to convey each of the emotions commanded by Grisi’s arresting direction. Utama is truly one of the best films of the festival but is a landmark in the director’s growing filmography.
Watch Utama when it makes its way to a screen near you.
SFF22: ‘Mars One’ Review
Mars One is a magnetic coming-of-age story that shines brightly throughout its various themes of Brazilian society.
Latin America truly had a wonderful showing at this year’s Sundance Film Festival with gems like The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future, Dos Estaciones, Utama, and this magnificent Brazilian coming-of-age drama. Mars One was the second film I was able to watch at the festival and it was part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. As someone who loves international cinema but especially has a growing love for Latin American films, I was very interested in checking this one out. I am happy to report back that Mars One did not disappoint at all.
Mars One is written and directed by Gabriel Martins. The film stars Cícero Lucas, Carlos Francisco, Camilla Damião, and Rejane Faria. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic competition. The film is Gabriel Martins’ third feature film that they have directed. Mars One finds itself blending the coming-of-age tropes while maintaining a steady commentary on Brazilian politics and the class divide.
In the film, we follow a lower-middle-class family in the wake of Brazil electing a far-right extremist president. We follow the lives of all four members of the family, our matriarch Tércia (Rejane Faria), the patriarch Wellington (Carlos Francisco), and their daughter Eunice (Camilla Damião), and their youngest child Deivinho (Cícero Lucas). Within their lives, each person is maneuvering life-altering decisions from finding love, fighting against poverty, figuring out what to do with their life, and worrying about the state of the family and their country.
Mars One is an enriching experience that is expertly crafted by a team of passionate artists that are worried about the state of Brazil’s political turmoil. There is tenderness met with anxiety as we traverse the lives of our protagonists. The film is exquisitely shot by our director of photography, Leonardo Feliciano. The movie does have a rocky start and is very off pace but it makes up with impeccable performances and chemistry from our cast. The intrigue of what comes next allows the audience to stay present with the family as much as they can. Ultimately, we are left with a fantastic film that provides heart and possible cultural solutions in order to progress their country.
Magnolia International picked up all media rights for worldwide release, so keep an eye out for this film when it makes its way to the public!
The Nerd Corps 