“Vivarium” Presents Go-Nowhere Parenting
Vivarium is an uncomfortable and startling look at how easily progress devolves in the face of overwhelming stress.

Madhavankutty is the Valliettan (Big Brother) of the Arackal family. The long lasting rivalry between Arackal Madhavanunni and Patteri Sivaraman forms the main thread of the story. Madhavanunni, along with his four brothers he rules the village. But Sivaraman, with the help of Bava, develops their plan to trap Madhavanunni.
Vivarium is an uncomfortable and startling look at how easily progress devolves in the face of overwhelming stress.
It’s passionately protective of the women mentioned in the story or appearing on screen. Just like the article and the #MeToo movement, the film could help a trapped person find the courage to fight back.
This powerful story shines with poetic animation, an exploration of deeper truths, and the protagonist's complex search for identity.
As a huge fan of Sean Baker’s Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket, I’ve wanted to watch Anora since before it even was released. But life got in the way, my watchlist grew, and honestly, the fact that it was marketed as a romantic comedy put me off. Even with all the critical praise and the five Academy Awards it won last year, I just kept postponing it indefinitely.
Given Hollywood's history of racism and financial motivations, how much progress can we expect? Plus: a list of excellent films by Black directors.
If your upbringing was anything like mine, where the TV acted as an additional parent- there are so many new stories and perspectives to explore.