Japanese Films | North American Films
Rental Family: a heartfelt film on loneliness and connection in a socially conservative society
Hikari, “Rental Family” (2025) Beginning in the 1990s, rental family services offering actors to stand
Author: nausika
The History of Sound: a slow-burning story of loss, regret and the preservation of memory
Oliver Hermanus, “The History of Sound” (2025) Based on two short stories by US writer
Kokuho: a sumptuous work weakened by a patchy plot
Lee Sang-il, “Kokuho” (2025) An ambitious and sumptuous work, paying homage to Japan’s kabuki theatre,
Nuremberg: a simplified and shallow portrayal of the Nuremberg trials
James Vanderbilt, “Nuremberg” (2025) Combining elements of the psychological and legal thriller genres, James Vanderbilt’s
Two Prosecutors: portraying 1930s Soviet society as repressive, stifling and absurdist
Sergei Loznitsa, “Two Prosecutors” (2025) An earnest historical drama, based on a short novel by
Bugonia: lampooning American social fragmentation, alienation and the role of disinformation in maintaining class warfare
Yorgos Lanthimos, “Bugonia” (2025) A remake of the South Korean sci-fi / black comedy film
Frankenstein (dir. Guillermo del Toro): a tale of revenge, reconciliation and the burden of immortality weakened by an improbable plot
Guillermo del Toro, “Frankenstein” (2025) After many years of planning and delays, at last Mexican
Essays | Multi-media Presentations
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech (2025) / Q&A Session
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech at the XXII Meeting (Final Plenary Session) of the Valdai International
Essays | Multi-media Presentations
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech (2025): how to live in the emerging polycentric world
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech at the XXII Meeting (Final Plenary Session) of the Valdai International
Good Boy: a film of love, death, grief and deep devotion capable of self-sacrifice
Ben Leonberg, “Good Boy” (2025) For his first film as a director, Ben Leonberg chose