This review focuses on the Japanese film that came out this year, not to be confused with the 2012 French movie sharing the same title about the famous painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The story and the filmmaking approach definitely pay homage to Renoir, as writer/director Chie Hayakawa uses an "impressionistic" style, weaving together small, seemingly unrelated …
Tag: world cinema
FlixChatter Review: Forastera (2025) – A beguiling, haunting tale of familial loss set in Mallorca
Loss of a loved one hits differently across cultures, and Forestera explores grief from the perspective of a young Spanish woman while on holiday in Mallorca. Cata (Zoe Stein) and her sister Eva (Martina García) are clearly enjoying their time with their grandma Catalina (Marta Angelat) and grandpa Tomeu (Lluís Homar). They have a special …
MSPIFF 2026 Review: THE LAST VIKING – Mads Mikkelsen displays his comic chops in this droll, bloody black comedy
It's a tradition for me to catch a Danish film at MSPIFF. Back in 2021, I checked out the dark comedy Riders of Justice, which is both written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, featuring Mads Mikkelsen in the lead role. The concept of The Last Viking sets the stage for some hilarious moments, while …
MSPIFF 2026 Review: Eagles of the Republic – A stylish Egyptian political thriller on the danger of autocracy that stifles artistic freedom
This Swedish-Egyptian political thriller, directed by Tarik Saleh, delves into how an authoritarian regime stifles artistic freedom and life in Egypt. Eagles of the Republic wraps up a trilogy that addresses state and religious corruption, following The Nile Hilton Incident (2017) and Cairo Conspiracy (2022), both featuring Fares Fares. I haven't watched the first two …
MSPIFF45 Announced 2026 Award Winners + FlixChatter’s Top 5 Favorites
The 45th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival has officially wrapped up. Perhaps the string of nice weather, with no snow in sight, attracted record-breaking crowds that shattered their previous daily attendance record—twice! I only managed to catch 11 films (two of them online), which is four fewer than I had hoped for. The reason? …
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MSPIFF 2026 Review: Don’t Call Me Mama (2026)—A tense, atmospheric Norwegian forbidden romance that’ll leave you shaken
One of the main reasons I enjoy film festivals is that they frequently expose me to fresh talent in cinema. Last Thursday, I got to know Norwegian writer/director Nina Knag, whose gripping, atmospheric, and subversive debut drama will both excite and frustrate you in the best way. The phrase 'Don't Call Me Mama' is never …
MSPIFF45 is back April 8-19! FlixChatter picks 25 international & Minnesota-connected films to watch this year.
One of the things I love most about spring in Minnesota isn't only the warmer weather but also the kickoff of the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival! MSPIFF is back this Wednesday, celebrating its 45th anniversary! From April 8-19, over 200 films will be screened at this year's festival, making it the biggest celebration …
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