Exhuma: Korean shamanism and colonial past explored in supernatural horror thriller
Jang Jaehyun, “Exhuma” (2024) It starts innocently enough when a newborn boy contracts a mystery illness and ends up in intensive care in hospital – but…
Arabic-language Films, Middle Eastern Films
Goodbye Julia: a personal drama reflecting differences and tensions between northern and southern Sudanese peoples
Mohamed Kordofani, “Goodbye Julia” (2023) A morning car accident becomes an unlikely catalyst in a plot that explores the complicated relationship, with all its differences, prejudices…
Immaculate: transformation from naif to a powerful and liberated woman through exploitation and trauma
Michael Mohan, “Immaculate” (2024) The, er, venerable niche horror subgenre known as nunsploitation is revived and refreshed as a vehicle for one young woman’s transformation through…
British Films, North American Films
Love Lies Bleeding: interesting character study left bleeding at the end
Rose Glass, “Love Lies Bleeding” (2024) A surprisingly entertaining film, spoilt only by a cartoonish climax of wishful female empowerment in which love, even lesbian love,…
British Films, German and German-language Films
The Zone of Interest: a disturbing film of ordinary people involved in, and denying evil
Jonathan Glazer, “The Zone of Interest” (2023) As films about the Nazi Holocaust go, “The Zone of Interest” is one of the most disturbing I have…
North American Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Interview to Tucker Carlson: the context and reality behind Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine
[Vladimir Putin’s] Interview to Tucker Carlson (Kremlin, 10 February 2024) Former Fox News journalist / political commentator / writer Tucker Carlson became the first Western reporter…
French and French-language Films
Anatomie d’une chute: life imitating art and becoming faction in courtroom drama
Justine Triet, “Anatomie d’une chute” / “Anatomy of a Fall” (2023) In “Anatomie d’une chute”, the dry courtroom drama format becomes instead a psychological study of…
Michael Hudson on Russia, Iran and the Red Sea: NATO War Economy Collapses – a view of the world at the beginning of 2024
Danny Haiphong, “Michael Hudson on Russia, Iran and the Red Sea: NATO War Economy Collapses” (Danny Haiphong, 17 January 2024) Danny Haiphong is an independent journalist,…
Dream Scenario: wacky fantasy comedy satire on social media fame and post-modern cultural values
Kristoffer Borgli, “Dream Scenario” (2023) This psychological fantasy comedy film is as oddball as they come, yet “Dream Scenario”, the first English-language feature film from Norwegian…
Round-up of Films Seen in 2023
Dear USE readers, Once again we come to the end of another year of watching new film releases from as many parts of the world as…