Filmrecensies van Victor Fraga

Momoko’s aspirations are deeply rooted in Japan’s strict gender roles. It would probably take a female to director to uproot those orthodoxies, yet those professionals are few and far between. The Japanese film industry remains just as gendered as the rest of the society. Recensie

Quiet and exuberant arthouse film ruminates on the sensory bond between humans and animals. Recensie

The characters of Singapore-born and Taiwan-based Nelicia Low’s debut feature are as flat as a pancake. Recensie

Maria's perfect, happy marriage begins to collapse for no apparent reason, in this this humanistic Norwegian drama. Recensie

People find catharsis and oppression within the walls of their hotel room, in this mysterious episodic drama from China. Recensie

These characters are multidimensional and emotionally complex, caught between tradition and subtle emancipative gestures, between shattered dreams and fortuitous serendipities. Recensie

This is an effective fantasy drama blending impressive CGI, warm and elegant cinematography, and strong performances. Recensie

The interactions are warm and tender, the intimacy is moving, and Nik is an adorable father. But that’s about it. Recensie

The story itself is a little inscrutable. It lacks the political vigour and emotional strength of Petri’s widely acclaimed film. Recensie

The excess of open ends have a negative impact on the movie’s ability to engage and enrapture. Recensie

Stéphane Brizé’s latest creation is a paean to fortuitous serendipities, and a reminder that abrupt departures are an integral part of life. It’s scarcely original and innovative, yet it remains urgent in its simplicity. Recensie

The movie journey is as aimless as the characters incursion into the forest. Recensie

The outcome is a sinister and exquisite thriller, borrowing devices from documentary practices. A political thriller that grips viewers with subtle suspense devices, instead of the more familiar bang-bang and silly car chases. It feels palpably real. Recensie

I Saw the TV Glow is an uplifting fable, populated with feel-good, emo adolescent guitar songs. A little sweet, a little nutty. These flavours are crafted in order to please the palate of young film lovers. Recensie

The exact meaning? Your guess is as good as mine. A thought-provoking and enigmatic piece of filmmaking. Recensie

Observational nature offers insight into the life of moths and the human beings researching them, in a film experience oscillating between the hypnotic and the soporific. Recensie

Highly experimental, bonkers Romanian film follows three lonely citizens of Bucharest as desperately seek to inject meaning into their lives. Recensie

Father and son battle for the love of a seductive young woman, in this elegant however prosaic Iranian drama-turned-crime-thriller from Iran. Recensie

A genuine cringe drama, with subtle comedic elements. Recensie

While mature and artistically accomplished, Anaïs Tellenne’s directorial debut fails on other fronts. The narrative is just too lethargic, and the ending is as predictable as the outcome as the last Russian elections. Recensie

Fine acting and credible developments help to craft a vividly painful portrait of youth. Recensie

Wacky, deadpan comedy traverses an ordinary winter day inside a heavily polluted city of Northern China. Recensie

The interactions and vivid and warm, much like the colourful and radiant cinematography. Heylen conveys a sense of strength and determination, which is anathema to the toxic masculinity that often prevails in an all-male house household. Recensie

This a heartfelt, gentle and at times funny coming-of-age drama, grappling with the very familiar topic of subtle female oppression. Despite the underwhelming ending and the foregone moral and ethical conclusions, Girls Will Be Girls remains a potent cinematic piece. Recensie