Category Archives: 58th Chicago International Film Festival

58th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

58th Chicago International Film Festival: The Banshees of Inisherin Review

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Hatred and solitude are the two elements that stir the pot in The Banshees of Inisherin. Director and writer Martin McDonagh showcases the disturbingly tense relationship of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Farrell’s character has a distracted mindset that makes him curious about what he did wrong. Gleeson’s character has an introverted and annoyed attitude which makes him determined to be alone. The Banshees of Inisherin is pure McDonagh as he creates a situation as detrimental as he did with In Bruges (2008).

The Banshees of Inisherin takes place in the 1920s in Ireland. The film was shot in breathtaking locations including Inishmorewhich is one of the Aran Islands in County Galway as well as onAchill Island in County in County Mayo. The movie’s scenes display much of the Irish culture from that timeframe. There are pub settings, Irish traditions, and many rural areas throughout the film. The scenery makes The Banshees of Inisherin more vivid in terms of the personality clashes.

In the film, Farrell is Padraic, and Gleeson is Colm. They are good friends until Colm calls it quits to their friendship. Padraic finds himself shocked and upset. The more he tries to make peace with Colm, the heavier the consequences. When Padraic’s sister Siobhan (played by Kerry Condon) tries to help Padraic not make irreparable decisions, the problems escalate between Padraic and Colm and lead to unexpected surprises. Colm’s choices become bizarre. The irrational behaviorthroughout The Banshees of Inisherin goes into full McDonagh mode.

The consequences start to include cutting off fingers, house fires, and more catastrophes which lead Padraic to make silly and vindictive choices also. Padraic tells Colm, “You usedto be nice,” and then late tells him, “Now you’re not nice,” and he says it with annoyance, frustration, and despair. Colm informs Padraic by saying, “I just don’t like you no more,” and he does so in a cold and aggravating tone. The Banshees of Inisherin is like a verbal, Irish boxing match between Farrell and Gleeson. It is truly a film of suspense done extremely well.

The Banshees of Inisherin is a McDonagh masterpiece. Thetension is enticing, the plot is structured, and it is a fun ride thanks to the performances of Farrell and Gleeson. There are no boundaries to finding a resolution between Padraic and Colm, but lots of vindictive actions along the way. Four stars for The Banshees of Inisherin.

58th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

58th Chicago International Film Festival: Piaffe Review

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Piaffe opens with cutting frames, projection tools, and the tools to make audio for a production. This introduction is an invigorating one, especially for me since I have worked in cinemas. I have seen the transition of projection technologies over the years. Piaffe blends the elements of filmmaking and foley artist work to serious levels. As its main character pushes herself (as a foley artist), her own body has strange transformations. Piaffe knows no limits as the transformations gets more graphic.

The odyssey in Piaffe is just the beginning of the weirdness that surrounds the film. The film is surrounded with pressure, disconnect, sex, night clubs, and creating art. Piaffe is like an imagination on acid. The disturbing content is unexplained. The film is visually bothersome.

In Piaffe, the film focuses on Eva, and she is played by Simone Bucio. Eva’s sibling Zara (played by Simon Jaikiriuma Paetau) bails on an assignment. Eva takes Zara’s job as a foley artist. Eva pushes herself to the limits. She collaborates sounds ranging from clicks, sand noises, and horse noises to the best of her ability. As Eva thrives for success, a horsetail grows out of her body. With Eva’s strange feelings, she becomes more submissive. She starts to want deeper connection. Eva’s feelings and choices are all over the place. As Eva goes deeper into figuring out what she desires, Piaffe becomes bizarre.

Piaffe is a clever film, but it its too much to handle. The foley artist task is where the film had my attention. When Eva goes crazy is where I started to get overwhelmed. Piaffe takes a creative aspect and spoils it with eroticism. Eva’s tail is the center of the bizarre activities she takes part in. Piaffe starts out with having nostalgic fun of cinematic traits but is over-ruled with weird sexual scenarios.

Piaffe is not one that to be watched on a full stomach. The film is repulsive as Eva goes deeper with her transformations. Piaffe is one to watch with an open mind. I found the film to be much for me.

I had faith in Piaffe. That is because of being a cinema enthusiast and loving the opening introductions of cutting films and reels. My captivation was there with the foley artist fun. However, when Eva realized that she has a tail, my attention was deteriorated. Went from being invigorative and involving to overwhelming sexual horror. Two stars for Piaffe.

58th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

58th Chicago International Film Festival: Close Review

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In life, having friends is essential. Friends are for connection. They are also the ones that can be talk to in times of sadness. Close is about friendship. Close displays a strong bond between two close friends. It does so with empathy, encouragement, and moments of disconnect.

Director Lukas Dhont is surreal with the friendship emotions in Close. There is good times and bad times between the two friends in the film. Also, there are intriguing behaviors that are startling. Despite the emotional aspects, Close is a poetic drama that is visually spectacle.

I will now elaborate on the plot of Close. The film gears on two teen boys. They are Leo (played by Eden Dambrine) and Remi (played by Gustav De Waele). They are two friends that are as close as brothers. Once school begins for Leo and Remi, they both start to drift apart. Remi starts to struggle with depression. This causes Remi to commit suicide. With Leo heartbroken and suffering the loss of his friend, he feels he is the reason why Remi decided to end his life.

Leo is determined to take responsibility for what happened to Remi. His determination is powerful as is the emotions of Remi’s death. Close is a portrait of one boy seeking to do what is right after losing one friend that meant the world to him. Close is a masterpiece of realism and sympathy. It will take viewers breath away.

As Leo suffers, Close reminds its viewers that words or actions truly can hurt. Leo feels his choices with Remi were wrong. As the fun times from the past with Remi enter Leo’s mind, it makes him think back to his errors. Leo is not a bad person. Leo is just a human-being, and Remi was having mental health issues. Leo is the one that drives the powerful force of acting for the death of Remi.

Close will make viewers cry. Close will shine with uplifting realizations. Close is a masterpiece. It is one of the best films of the year. It is also one of the most realistic portraits of life that I have seen in a long time. It will remind us of how the choices we make can have consequences. It will also remind us how we can help others. Despite what happened to Leo’s friend, there is still good he can do for the world. Four stars for Close.