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 …
Tag: world cinema
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? …
Continue reading MSPIFF45 Announced 2026 Award Winners + FlixChatter’s Top 5 Favorites
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 …
My Father’s Shadow (2025) review – Sope Dirisu is magnetic in this indelible, poetic homage to an absent father
Ah, the wonderful world of cinema… it lets me vicariously explore places I've never been to. Just last week, with The President’s Cake, I found myself in Baghdad, Iraq, and this time, My Father's Shadow took me to Lagos, Nigeria, during the 1993 national election. The movie kicks off with two young brothers, 11-year-old …
FlixChatter Review: The President’s Cake (2025) – A profoundly moving journey of survival through the eyes of a 9-year-old Iraqi girl
Sometimes you just want to watch movies to escape reality, but there are times when it’s beneficial to see a film that puts things into perspective. Watching a movie like The President’s Cake makes all my first-world issues feel minuscule, practically non-existent. Never has a school draw been so nerve-wracking. 9-year-old Iraqi girl Lamia and …
FlixChatter Double Indie Reviews: mystery drama ISLANDS starring Sam Riley and Irish road comedy THE SPIN
Welcome to another Double Reviews edition! This time it’s a pair of European films, one set in one of the Canary Islands and the other in Ireland. ISLANDS Sam Riley is one of my favorite actors, who I think is criminally underrated. I’m thrilled whenever I see him as a leading man, and he’s terrific …
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