Holy Omer ★★★½
DRAMA (2022)
Directed by: Alice Diop
Interpretations: Kaige Kagame, Juslasi Malanda

The fictional debut of Alice Diop, which has won awards at the last Mostra and many other film festivals, is hitting the screens of Greek theaters. In the French city of Saint-Omer, young Laurent, an immigrant from Senegal, is on trial as a defendant in the death of her 15-month-old daughter, who was found drowned somewhere on the northern coast of the country. Present at the trial is Rama, a writer of about the same age, who is shocked by what she hears during the trial while being called upon to make a decision about her own pregnancy.

Diop puts us into the courtroom almost immediately, without detailed introductions, explanations, or even presence, for example. music that would (theoretically) help put you in the mood. This is clearly done in order to reveal to the viewer the undisguised cruelty of the case: there is only the accused Lawrence, the middle-aged white judge (a striking contrast), the strict accuser, the sympathetic defender and Ram’s observer. who looks more shocked than anyone. In the course of their words, a variety of topics will surface, from the cultural conflicts of modern Europe to motherhood itself and this powerful connection that hides an inexpressible, darker side.

Inseparable bond ★★½
MILITARY ADVENTURE (2023)
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim

Guy Ritchie takes on a war film for the first time in his career, telling a personal story set on contemporary American fronts around the world. Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) is on his latest mission to Afghanistan, where his team works with local translators. One of them, Ahmed, will stand out for his skills as he comes to the aid of Kinley, who is going through a terrible ordeal after a deadly Taliban attack. Returning home, the American does not forget his savior, embarking on another mission to pay off the debt. Richie directs rather conventionally by his standards, yet a compelling story that keeps viewers hooked until the very end. His storytelling doesn’t shy away from most clichés and doesn’t go into too much detail about the war, but it does have the drama and emotion that comes from human relationships when they form under the most difficult of circumstances.

Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan ★★½
ADVENTURE (2023)
Directed by: Martin Bourboulon
Cast: Francois Civil, Vincent Cassel, Eva Green

After the impressive Eiffel, Martin Bourboulon is presented with another massive French production to bring the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas to the screen. And at his disposal is a brilliant cast of French actors from Vincent Cassel (Athos) and Romain Duris (Aramis) to Louis Garrel (Louis), Vicki Cripps (Queen), Eva Green (Milady) and François Civil. The latter plays the young D’Artagnan, who has arrived in Paris with the intention of joining the ranks of the legendary bodyguards. However, Cardinal Richelieu’s plot against the queen will throw him – along with Athos, Porthos, Arami – into battle for her protection. Impressive battle scenes and the ideal atmosphere of the time are the main advantages of the film, which brings the classic myth to life, without giving it, however, any new dimension.

Karaoke ★★
COMEDY (2022)
Directed by: Moss Rosenthal
Interpretations: Sasson Gabay, Rita Sukrun

Israeli Mos Rosenthal directs a bittersweet comedy about the routine of a small suburban town. Towa and Meir, a middle-aged couple with somewhat waterlogged daily lives, see everything turned upside down when a cosmopolitan bachelor moves into the penthouse of their apartment building. Soon, the karaoke nights he organizes at his home, as well as his charming personality in general, will develop into the couple’s obsession, bringing their long-suppressed desires to the fore.

Behind the wall ★★½
DRAMA (2022)
Directed by: Vahid Jalilwald
Cast: Naveed Mohammadzadeh, Diana Habibi.

A new film by Vahid Jalilwald is coming out of Iran, which pleasantly surprised us a few years ago with “A Case of Consciousness”. Here the protagonist is Ali, a blind man on the verge of suicide, whose house is invaded by a woman wanted by the authorities. Along the way – and as the two develop a unique bond – we learn more about the circumstances that brought them to their current position. The Iranian film is mostly set in the claustrophobic setting of Ali’s apartment, where two desperate men find the courage to fight against overwhelming odds. As for the mini-twist of the finale, it is certainly impressive and to some extent welcomed, but it lacks something from the scenario base of the previous ones.