Deduction and reason versus propaganda in pursuit of the truth in “Through Sherlock’s Eyes: The Case of Alexander Litvinenko”
Alexander Korobko, “Through Sherlock’s Eyes: The Case of Alexander Litvinenko” (2015) Not only does this 23-minute
Kakekomi: historical soap opera drama labouring under several sub-plots to tackle serious social issues
Masato Harada, “Kakekomi Onna to Kakedashi Otoko” (2015) A light-hearted historical drama set in Japan
A Samurai Chronicle: an earnest and heavy-going lesson in how to live a good life with grace, compassion and humility
Takashi Koizumi, “A Samurai Chronicle” (2014) I’m afraid that these days the Japanese just don’t
Fear and Desire: an uneven debut meditating on the degradation of war
Stanley Kubrick, “Fear and Desire” (1953) Stanley Kubrick’s debut feature film may be an awkward
Essays | Multi-media Presentations
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech (2015): in the midst of war, a plea for co-operation, mutual respect and trust leading to renewal and reconciliation
Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Speech at the XII Meeting (Final Plenary Session) of the Valdai International
This Changes Everything: simplistic globe-trotting essay based on faulty premises
Avi Lewis, “This Changes Everything” (2015) Billed as a film about climate change, this documentary
The Seafarers: a preachy recruitment film for trade union membership with unusual historical relevance
Stanley Kubrick, “The Seafarers” (1953) Stanley Kubrick’s first film made in colour turns out to
How I Ended This Summer: a meandering character study of two individuals coping with extreme isolation and one another
Alexei Popogrebsky, “How I Ended This Summer / Kak ya provel etim letom” (2010) Out
The Makioka Sisters: a flat commentary on tradition and modernisation alike through a soap opera plot
Kon Ichikawa, “The Makioka Sisters” (1983) Admittedly this is a beautifully shot film and its
Jackie Brown: homage to 70s cult film heroine and nostalgia with a subtext about surviving in a brutal world not far beneath the surface
Quentin Tarantino, “Jackie Brown” (1997) Of the early films directed by Quentin Tarantino that have