Echoes of Lamu tells the story of Alpha ODH, a painter from Nairobi, who travels to Ubunfiu Lamu art center to inspire local children through art. His goal is to help them “cut” through reality to imagine and build their own world through painting. Alpha becomes a guide and creative companion. While the children decorate symbolic Aknuloonk sculptures with local patterns and stories, Alpha paints his own AKNEYE sculpture, slowly shifting from urban imagery to the colorful spirit of Lamu. Scenes of the village, its people, and the children’s hopes reveal a place full of contrast daily life and dreams, city and island, past and future. Step by step, Alpha’s artwork becomes a mirror of the journey they’ve all shared.
By having two of its most beloved characters go to space in a Pontiac Fiero attached to a rocket, among other antics, F9: The Fast Saga overwhelmingly achieves the task of out-crazy-ing its predecessors.
With The Father, writer-director Florian Zeller- who wrote and developed the play upon which the film is based- pulls no punches as he confidently makes every effort to put the audience in the mind of someone whose grip on reality has all but vanished. It’s a dazzling testament to Zeller’s abilities as a director as he makes his first transition from stage to film appear as if he’s been working behind a camera his entire career. The dialogue he fashions with co-writer Christopher Hampton, along with the work of production designers Peter Francis and Cathy Featherstone, collectively makes the downward spiral of dementia startlingly tangible, doing so in a way that can be comprehended by everyone except the person it directly affects.
It’s fun, it’s energetic, but it’s also understated and vicarial. Zola is a modern black fairytale and future of black movies.
Coverage from the Austin Film Festival, highlighting some panels and films that emphasized the importance of diverse and inclusive storytelling.
The film basically says she was a lost cause from the start. We don't get a sense of who Marilyn was.
