Movie reviews of Victor Fraga

Ryusuke Hamaguchi's reflection on Manichaeism is ambiguous, contemplative and gently gripping. Review

The six-decade career of the daredevil German director becomes the topic of this comprehensive however conventional documentary, a film far less radical and controversial than the subject portrayed. Review

Emerald Fennell's psychosexual fantasy thriller adds some distinctive British upper-class flavours to some well-known Pasolini masterpieces, but ultimately fails. Review

The wildest and filthiest cinema in the history of the United Kingdom becomes the subject of a documentary largely voiced by the artists that it provoked and inspired. Review

Terrifying exorcist drama adapts Christian horror tropes into Muslim culture to exceptional results. Review

Quirky Iranian dramedy interrogates the nation's peculiar traditions and taboos. Review

Two marginalised communities of Lebanon see no hope and no light, in gloomy doc about the country’s refusal and inability to integrate its most vulnerable people. Review

Moroccan filmmaker puts the finger in her own family wounds... and twists it (!!!) - eerie, sobering and inventive documentary. Review

Despite its preachy tone (or perhaps precisely because of it), The Teacher is successful at conveying various urgent messages, and it does ultimately engage viewers for nearly two hours. Review

At times, it feels like the film title refers to the sentiment that audiences experience as the mind-numbing narrative fails to take off and say anything significant at all. Review

A Swiss scientist desperately seeks his elusive lover as reality breaks down into small pieces, in this overambitious metaphysical thriller. Review

Mother and daughter unite against the dark and oppressive forces of the patriarchy, in this feminist ghost story from Pakistan. Review

Humaid Alsuwaidi’s third feature is a commentary on misogyny that does not lapse into victim cliches. It is a finely executed piece of slow cinema with a few shortcomings. Review

The incredible story of the biggest Women's World Cup of all time that nobody ever heard of is both sobering and devastating. Review

Despite the slow pace, Sunday is dotted with subtle moments of comic relief, such as the man’s insistence in asking visitors for a match for no clear purpose, or the couple’s sense of helplessness in front of the modern 4k television with strange instructions written on the screen. Review

This is a woman taking control of her life, even if the clunky mechanisms and procedures over which she has limited command do not allow her to forge ahead smoothly. Genuinely affecting. Review

The movie is crafted with abundant music, a vivid cinematography with abundant colourful lighting, and a fast-moving, energetic script. Review

A rural veterinary doctor has to reconcile his love for animals with the cruel and deranged behaviour of human beings, in this luminescent Iranian drama. Review

Visually arresting. Heart-wrenching. Even if a little arcane. Review

Saddam Hussein develops a paternal bond with the the young farmer who sheltered him for nearly eight months, in this unusual tribute to loyalty and endurance. Review

Barely decipherable allegorical detective drama from Ukraine sets out to comment on the nation fast-changing soul and identity. Review

Crime thriller about call-centre-worker-turned-drug-dealer inserts some grit into the squeaky clean capital of Saudi Arabia. Review

Brutally honest Korean drama mercilessly deromanticises and demystifies the experience of pregnancy and motherhood. Review

Saintagnan was just too ambitious, setting out to create elaborate settings on a shoestring, instead of using her financial handicap as a catalyst for radical experimentation. Review