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Review: Kneecap
Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap is an electrifying musical dramedy that leaves viewers feeling rebellious just for having seen it. Like Curtis Hanson’s 8 Mile—a fictional version of Eminem’s origin story—Kneecap’s plot is loosely inspired by the eponymous Irish-language rap group, Kneecap. Kneecap’s cause is to popularize the Irish language through rap.
Interview: Sean Wang and Izaac Wang, Dìdi
Fueled by Sean Wang’s heartfelt script, captured by believable and joyous actor Izaac Wang, Dìdi’s authenticity pulls us from laughter to tears, as we become invested in this tightly focused—but universally affecting—coming-of-age journey ... complete with the unavoidable ugliness of growing up.
Interview: How I Faked My Life With AI (NOT WRITTEN BY AI)
Filmmaker Kyle Vorbach spent the past year living his dreams: he moved to LA; published a book; produced a podcast; released a solo album; put on an art show; presented a Ted Talk; was interviewed on TV and more. Thing is, he faked it all. Were Vorbach’s dreams ever real to begin with? What should WE do with this life-changing tech?
Tribeca, Sora Shorts Showcase: The Threat
At Tribeca Festival 2024, one programming “first” drew unprecedented attention: the “Sora Shorts” showcase, featuring five original short films all produced using OpenAI’s text-to-video AI model, aka Sora. Why does this matter? Storytelling as we know it may never be the same.
Interview: Aristotle Torres, Story Ave
Story Ave—described by writer/director Aristotle Torres as a “Film by the Bronx”—premiered at SXSW and won two awards. Now, the film is available for streaming on Hulu. Painterly, poignant, this impressive first feature surprises despite its depiction of predictable hardship ... and reminds us to look in instead of away.
Review: Aisha
Frank Berry’s Aisha is the superbly moving record of a Nigerian refugee’s quiet fight for dignity in Ireland’s inhumane Direct Provision system for asylum seekers. Thoroughly-researched but fictional, gently-paced but absorbing, Berry’s affecting narrative is anchored by standout performances from Letitia Wright (Black Panther, The Silent Twins) and Josh O’Connor (Mothering Sunday, Challengers).
Review: Love Lies Bleeding
Rose Glass’s Love Lies Bleeding is a gleefully deranged, exceptionally-crafted, pitch-dark pulp-drama. With Kristen Stewart as our jaded but good-willed anti-hero, Katy O’Brian as her belle-turned-partner-in-crime, and Ed Harris as Stewart’s crime lord dad, we embark on an indelible, muscular thrill ride.
The Art of Sundance: Beginner’s Festival Guide
Sundance is expensive. If you can allot the time and money to go, you’ll want to make the most of your experience. So here’s how to make it even more worth your while.
My own worst critic, your greatest ally.
As a filmmaker and critic, I’m tough on myself, but fair to my audience. Basically, I’m an optimist—without rose-colored glasses. I know that excellence takes many forms, that a filmmaker’s journey informs the story onscreen. I sympathize with artistic struggles and know the pain of production. I believe in potential; I search for kernels of truth, for those cracks in the chaos where intention shines through. All storytelling is a mix of affirmation, education and therapy.
Dylan Kai Dempsey