Film Festivals 2005
Once again the wide world of cinema offers a cache of captivating films. From France the delightful 'Look at Me', Tony Gatlif's 'Exils' and horror/slasher 'The Ordeal'. 'Hotel Rwanda' and documentary 'Darwin's Nightmare' unlock some of Africa's darkest secrets while from Hong Kong came the diverse '2046' and Stephen Chow's comic tour de force 'Kung Fu Hustle'. From the US, Gregg Araki's disturbing 'Mysterious Skin', 'Birth' with Nicole Kidman and understated Southern pot-boiler 'Undertow'. Stand-out documentaries also included 'Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price', the incredible 'DiG!' and from North Korea a fascinating insight with 'A State of Mind'.
Ae Fond Kiss ( aka Just A Kiss ) (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: Eva Birthistle, Atta Taqub, Shamshad Akhtar, Ghizala Avan
Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty team again ('Sweet Sixteen', 'Carla's Song', 'My Name Is Joe') for this romantic drama set in Glasgow, Scotland wher... Read more
Birth (2004)
6.1/10
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Anne Heche, Arliss Howard, Lauren Bacall, Nicole Kidman, Ted Levine, Peter Storm...
A ten year widow, Anna (Nicole Kidman) is about to remarry when a mysterious boy (Cameron Bright) convincingly claims he's her late husband reincarnat... Read more
The Woodsman (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Nicole Kassell
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Eve , Mos Def, David Alan Grier, Benjamin Bratt
After twelve years in prison, Walter (Kevin Bacon) moves into a small apartment, gets a job and keeps to himself. But as a convicted sex offender his... Read more
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
8.1/10
Director: Terry George
Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Jean Reno
As his country descends into madness, five-star-hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) sets out to save his family. But when he sees that the w... Read more
Bad Education (2004)
7.5/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Fele Martinez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Javier Camara, Lluis Ho...
From acclaimed director Pedro Almodovar ("Talk to Her") comes an outrageous tale of desire, revenge and murder. Filmmaker Enrique (Fele Martinez) gets... Read more
Breaking News (2004)
6.7/10
Director: Johnnie To
Starring: Richie Jen, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung
A violent gang of criminals take refuge in a Hong Kong apartment block - embarrassing the HKPD on local television by escaping from a whole battalion... Read more
The World According to Bush (2004)
7.9/10
Director: William Karel
A.k.a. "Le Monde Selon Bush". On 20 January 2001, amid high controversy and with no clear majority, eight years after his father, George W. Bush moved... Read more
The Miracle Of Bern (2003)
6.8/10
Director: Sonke Wortmann
Starring: Louis Klamroth, Peter Lohmeyer, Johanna Gastdorf, Mirko Lang, Birthe Wolter
Filmmaker and former professional footballer Sonke Wortmann directs this family sports drama, using the backdrop of the 1954 World Cup game between Ge... Read more
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2003)
7.9/10
Director: Judy Irving
Starring: Mark Bittner
This terrific documentary follows the relationship between Mark Bittner, a homeless ex-busker and the once-domestic, but now wild, green and red parro... Read more
The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan (2003)
7.6/10
Director: Phil Grabsky
In March 2001 the ruling Taliban destroyed Afghanistan's 1600-year-old Buddhas of Bamiyan, once considered the world's most remarkable representations... Read more