Festival Reviews
JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023 – OPENING NIGHT FILM – MATCHMAKING
MATCHMAKING is an eye-opening, charming Romeo and Juliet story sans a tragic ending within Israel's ultra-Orthodox community. A 2023 Israeli box office success, this modern-day romantic dramedy from director Erez Tadmor delivers an insightful exploration of the Jewish matchmaking tradition with a dose of social critique.
Festival Reviews
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2023 – OPENING NIGHT FILM – WE’RE BROKE, MY LORD!
It seems like a wacky but possible idea. Koshirо̄, an ordinary man, inherits a lofty kingdom only to realise that it is in enormous debt, and his goal is to save it from bankruptcy like his life depends on it. With all its challenges to be both funny and timely, this period comedy from director Tetsu Maeda is finely crafted, incorporating modern humour techniques that work well for the screen.
Festival Reviews
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (JIFF) 2023
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is back from 23 October to 22 November 2023, with screenings in Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, and the Gold Coast.
Festival Reviews
EXPLORE THE JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA 2023
The 27th Japanese Film Festival (JIFF) Australia 2023 is back, starting with film screenings in Canberra (30 September - 15 October), Perth (16-22 October), Brisbane (6-22 October), Melbourne (23 October - 5 November) and Sydney (23-31 October). The theme for 2023 tackles the continuing connection between past and present.
Festival Reviews
KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL 2023 – OPENING NIGHT FILM – THE NIGHT OWL
The Korean Film Festival is back in 2023 from 24-29 August at Event Cinema George Street, Sydney. Its opening night film is that grand historical murder mystery thriller, THE NIGHT OWL, amidst familial jealousy and political intrigue of Korea's bygone kingdom.
Festival Reviews
SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2023 – FORTY-FIVE FILMS RANKED FROM BEST TO HO-HUM
Well, the Sydney Film Festival 2023 just swept through last June 7-18 during the start of our winter season as it now celebrates the King's Birthday long weekend.
Festival Reviews
SWANA Film Festival Q&A with Festival Head Hajer
SWANA is a decolonial term for the South West Asian & North African region.
Festival Reviews
TWO FILIPINO FILMS AT THE SYDNEY MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL 2023
The 30th Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival from Queer Screen starts 15 February - 2 March 2023, with various LGBTQI+ films on offer.
Festival Reviews
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA 2022
The Japanese Film Festival Australia 2022 is back with film screenings in Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. From December 7-14, Sydneysiders will enjoy the best Japanese cinema in Palace cinemas at Norton, Verona and Chauvel. Here are some of the highlights.
Festival Reviews
FREAK ME OUT FILMS AT THE 2022 SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
The biggest film festival in Australia is the Sydney Film Festival which was held for twelve days last 8-19 June 2022, with so many film premieres from prestigious film festivals such as Berlinale, Venice, Cannes, and Sundance, among others. Twelve films vied for competition and the following are my favourites.
Festival Reviews
RECOMMENDED FILMS IN COMPETITION AT THE 2022 SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
The biggest film festival in Australia is the Sydney Film Festival which was held for twelve days last 8-19 June 2022, with so many film premieres from prestigious film festivals such as Berlinale, Venice, Cannes, and Sundance, among others. Twelve films vied for competition and the following are my favourites.
Festival Reviews
SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2021 QUEER FILM HIGHLIGHTS
Sydney Film Festival is back this 2021 in both cinema and online thanks to a highly vaccinated population of cinema-hungry Sydney audience, with the festival running from November 3 to 21, 2021.
Festival Reviews
TAIWAN FILM FESTIVAL 2021 SHORT FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Taiwan Film Festival is back in 2021, with this virtual edition streaming online from September 16 to 30, 2021.
Festival Reviews
INTERNATIONAL FEATURES AT THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (JIFF) 2021
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is heading to its Closing Night on 17 March 2021 at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick. Film screenings have also started at Roseville Cinema in Roseville from 6-24 March. The best news is that there will be encore screenings at the Ritz Cinema from 18-31 March.
Festival Reviews
THREE POWERFUL DOCUMENTARIES AT THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (JIFF) 2021
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is already midway at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney, which started from 18 February up to 24 March 2021. There have been plenty of films screened, including a diverse selection of documentaries on various themes and topics.
Festival Reviews
ISRAELI FEATURES AT THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (JIFF) 2021
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) has been ongoing at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney, which started from 18 February up to 24 March 2021. It is midway through this annual event, and the Ritz Cinema has been busy accommodating lovers of Jewish cinema.
Festival Reviews
QUEER FILMS SPOTLIGHT AT THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (JIFF) 2021
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is back this year at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney, from 18 February to 24 March 2021. The festival spans a varied collection of Jewish films in both documentary and narrative feature formats. There is a bit for everyone, including movies and TV series from Israel, stories about the Holocaust, and compelling profiles of prominent Jewish personalities.
Festival Reviews
DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS AT THE JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (JIFF) 2021
The Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is back this year at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney from 18 February to 24 March 2021. The festival spans a varied collection of Jewish films in both documentary and narrative feature formats. There is a bit for everyone, including movies and TV series from Israel, stories about the Holocaust, and compelling profiles of prominent Jewish personalities. Among the documentaries, here are my highlights to guide you when selecting what to watch.
Festival Reviews
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL 2020 FILM HIGHLIGHTS
The Japanese Film Festival is back for its 24th year in 2020 with this virtual edition streaming online from December 4 to 13, 2020.
Festival Reviews
Taiwan Film Festival 2020: Documentaries & Hsia Ya-Chuan
Taiwan Film Festival is back in 2020 with this virtual edition streaming online from July 9 to 30, 2020. Check out the various feature films on offer including three eye-catching documentaries and three brilliant films from the master Hsiao Ya-Chuan.