The Birth of a Nation

The Birth of a Nation (Nate Parker, 2016) seems to have been the controversial film de jour. To my mind it's a violent film about a violent time, being Georgia of the 1820s and 30s. The events of Nat Turner's life led him to the slave uprising of 1831, a violent act that was resolved with violence. At an early age he'd been set up as a leader and because he had the ability to read eventually became a preacher in his own community and then farmed out to put other slaves in their place. That then led to his realisation of what he could achieve. All of this is set in place in very well made, written and acted film. Full of nobility and beauty, befitting the importance of the subject matter.

Dearest Sister

Dearest Sister (Mattie Do, 2016) is that curious mix of a Lao/Estonian co-production. Nok has been hired to look after Ana in the capital. She's married to Jakob, an Estonian working for an NGO. Conveniently Ana has started to be given winning lottery numbers by the dead. This though makes people think Nok has been stealing money. No one seems to trust anyone else here, with good reason in most cases. There's a long tradition of Asian horror films which the subtle and not so subtle touches on display here are a fine addition.

American Honey

American Honey (Andrea Arnold, 2016) a tough watch really, not only for the length of the film. The film was concerned with Star who at 18 hooks up with a group of door to door magazine sellers in the southern states of the US. She's recruited by Jake (Shia La Boeuf) who acts like a Fagin figure training impressionable youngsters to get people to buy subscriptions. Although they use trance and hip hop rather than Lionel Bart. It's a film about growing up but also about putting up with the necessary to get along. When you're 18 and you find a sense of belonging it's often difficult to break away from that. There's a great ensemble cast and as ever a largely improvised script.

The Unknown Girl

The Unknown Girl (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, 2016) tells the story of Jenny, a doctor in Liege. She has a guilt hanging over her due to the death of the eponymous girl near her surgery. She decides to do some investigating herself and uncovers some unpalatable truths about her community. The film was largely but there could have been a bit more pace.

A Quiet Passion

A Quiet Passion (Terence Davies, 2016) is the story of Emily Dickinson, played beautifully in adulthood by Cynthia Nixon. The film ably discusses her views on gender and religion, which at the very least were progressive. She paid prices for her talent and her creative output which sometimes put her at odds with those around her. Davies is as meticulous as ever in his output, paying great attention to music as much as anything else.

The Untamed

The Untamed (Amat Escalante, 2016) was another addition to the list of excellent Mexican horror films. It's about an entity that resides in the countryside and the compulsion to do its will. It's not quite as bleak as Under The Skin but gives it a good run for its money. The film as well though makes interesting points about social politics in Mexico. Maybe isn't for the faint of heart.

David Lynch: The Art Life

David Lynch: The Art Life (Jon Nguyen, Rick Barnes, Olivia Neergaard-Holm, 2016) which told the story of his life, basically up to Eraserhead. With such a man and what he's created it would be impossible to separate art and film, they both inform each other. He spoke at length about himself and showed the art of his youth which gives clues to the inspiration for Blue Velvet, Inland Empire etc.