Shoplifters: an intelligent low-key film that examines the nature of family and connection in a fragmented society
Hirokazu Kore-eda, “Shoplifters / Manbiki Kazoku” (2018) In this slow realist drama about an impoverished
The Lobby (Episode 4: The Takedown): exposing a brazen suggestion to get rid of a politician
Clayton Swisher, “The Lobby (Episode 4: The Takedown)” (Al Jazeera, 2017) In the last episode
The Lobby (Episode 3: An Anti-Semite Trope): how small-minded cult-like behaviour threatens democracy and citizens’ rights to free speech
Clayton Swisher, “The Lobby (Episode 3: An Anti-Semite Trope)” (Al Jazeera, 2017) In this third
Northern European Films | South African Films
An Act of Defiance: a hard-hitting, confrontational film about personal courage and the fight for justice
Jean van de Welde, “An Act of Defiance” (2017) Quite a hard-hitting and confrontational film
The Invisible Man’s Revenge: a messy plot and flat uninteresting characters underline this cheap film
Ford Beebe, “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” (1944) It could have been an interesting character study
The Lobby (Episode 2: The Training Session): undercover investigation reveals fanaticism and sociopathy
Clayton Swisher, “The Lobby (Episode 2: The Training Session)” (Al Jazeera, 2017) Continuing on from
Italian and Italian-language Films
Don’t Torture a Duckling: behind the sensationalism, a surprisingly thoughtful and critical film
Lucio Fulci, “Don’t Torture a Duckling / Non si sevizia un paperino” (1973) Fret not,
The Lobby (Episode 1: Young Friends of Israel): how Israel infiltrates youth groups and organisations in Britain
Clayton Swisher, “The Lobby (Episode 1: Young Friends of Israel)” (Al Jazeera, 2017) In recent
Bohemian Rhapsody: a boring and forgettable film fails to address its lead character’s complexities
Bryan Singer, “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) Astonishingly, given the rich source material and the fact that
A sense of Cold War paranoia and self-righteous American exceptionalism in “Espionage Target – You!”
“Espionage Target – You!” (1964) Commissioned by the United States Department of Defense for training