NiuNiu - Film Fest Review
The film is a powerful narrative encompassing a theme that many people can identify with.

In the Ariake Sea of Saga, Kyushu, a man who has spent his life as a nori (seaweed) fisherman is deeply moved one day upon hearing Franz Liszt's masterpiece, La Campanella. Determined to play the piece himself, he defies the objections of those around him and throws himself into intense practice. At 52 years old, he begins a serious challenge to master one of the most notoriously difficult compositions—even professional pianists hesitate to take it on.
The film is a powerful narrative encompassing a theme that many people can identify with.
The power to function. As people, we are richly blessed to have the wide ranging scope of what we can accomplish…physically and mentally…that aid in everything we desire to strive for and, ideally, accomplish. However, what if someone was experiencing daily life with these elements….only in a more muted manner?
If Miguel Alexandre were trying to make a revenge story seem dull without using all the effective formulas that work great in this catchy genre, he could not have accomplished his purpose much better than he unintentionally has in Black Island.
One Night in Miami... did not frame the racism and bigotry as something that could be solved by quality time spent between individuals. Instead, it featured four different legends of Black History together in one room disagreeing for about 2/3 of the film.
The film's Incluvie rating is off the charts. It features Black, Muslim, queer, trans humans whose moms hold them up, fight for them, and love them for who they are...making anything possible.
Years before Mexican director, Alfonso Cuaron, was winning Academy Awards for movies like Gravity (2013) and Roma(2018), he directed a small, intimate film about two best friends who decide to embark on an improvised road trip to spend time with an older, attractive woman who miraculously agrees to go with them. Y tu Mamá También is a deep journey into the raw sexuality and friendship of the young protagonists, as well as a subtle social and political commentary on Mexico at the time.