Azurose

No promo for the film intrigued me, which made the experience even more intense. Matthew López's debut is an absolutely brilliant adaptation of the book of the same name, which I haven't read, but I have no doubt it is just as excellent as the film. I'm glad to see that gay romance is no longer portrayed as just a bitter story, but with a sense of humor, love, and moral values. I'm convinced that when I need a pause after a long day, I'll watch this film because it has everything to lift my spirits, excite me and awaken my emotions.

10 minutes into the film and the main character Asja is a woman I admire. The speed-dating she participates in, however, takes on new dimensions for her when the partner assigned to her starts talking about her past, which Asja is unknowingly a part of. The film mixes comedy and drama perfectly, which gives the film momentum and the viewer finds themselves on a 100-minute emotional roller coaster. Handling war trauma is an uneasy discipline that has a high chance of falling into stereotypical narratives, but The Happiest Man in the World is the exact opposite and proof that depicting a war theme doesn't actually need images from war. If you get a chance to see the film, go see it. It's a cinema experience you can not miss. [LFŠ 2023]

Queen Margrete I of Denmark has united Denmark, Norway and Sweden into a union where peace and quality is maintained, when suddenly a man who claims to be her son enters her life. Charlotte Sieling is not only a director but also a screenwriter. She has sensitively and interestingly brought her understanding of the subject to the screen. The story is enlivened by several plot lines interweaving the film's central characters - King Eric, Bishop Peder and other Union representatives - and the various plot elements surprisingly complete the climax of the story. The film's main strength is that it does not impose an opinion on the viewer as to how to view the whole story, and so the viewer is free to decide what conclusion the film ends up with for them. I was also impressed by the spectacular shots and the beautiful Nordic landscape. A Danish film based on a legend with no clear ending, it is not only an excellent insight into Scandinavian history, but also a wonderful spectacle. It offers never-ending suspense and interest, an excellent cast and an intriguing story that is unparalleled in the world. Charlotte Sieling has created an outstanding film that is capable of international attention and winning awards at festivals across the globe.

Very cute movie! Watching a semi-fictional story through a dog's eyes is an interesting viewing experience. Although the script is based on a true story, it is slightly uplifted, which gives the film a lot more ways to work with the drama and makes the complexity of the story more complete. Young viewers will appreciate the nice animation and adults will appreciate the historical basis. The animation could have been more dynamic, but in the context of the overall art, it is perfectly acceptable. In conclusion, I would like to admit that I regret that I saw the film in Czech dubbing, because the Norwegian original is star-studded... [Zlín Film Festival 2023]

A masterful combination of black humour, drama and action. Nils, a normal guy, turns the tables after the murder of his son and becomes a killer, played by Stellan Skarsgård. The stylized characters lighten the plot, yet the script doesn't lose its power and tension. Philip Øgaard, the cinematographer of the film, does an excellent job, and combined with the Norwegian snowy landscape, it's an awesome spectacle. This star-studded Norwegian blockbuster is a must-see for everyone!

An adventurous journey of self-discovery, first sexual experiences and above all a chance to escape the stereotype that the main character experiences every day. Elephant is an absolutely brilliant film that conveys simple ideas in a complex way, with stunning visuals and performances. Even if you are from a rural area where the environment is homophobic and stereotypical, it is possible to have dreams and make them come true. The film gives courage, hope and motivation to be happy. Even though the film cost around 150 000 EUR, it is evident that even for a small amount of money one can make a quality film. I highly recommend everyone to watch the film, because it is perhaps the best queer film I have ever seen, really!

I was a little worried that it would be an endless and boring movie. The opposite is true. I hated all the characters at first and eventually grew to like them. It's a film about finding values and starting points that are not familiar to Europeans. The story is really beautiful and shot so realistically that you want to follow the characters and help them, even though they are quite stubborn. Movies set in rural America tend to be slow and revolve around similar themes, but this is an absolute blast that guarantees a rush of emotion and entertainment.

Probably the best film I saw at KVIFF this year. Eduardo Casanova is simply a fantastic director who has a clear vision and knows what and how he wants to convey to the audience. The relationship between the overprotective mother and son has been seen many times before, but never in the form that this film has. The pink home of the mother and son vs. the cool blue home of the father. Two worlds that intertwine and culminate in a great ending. I'm sure everyone will also enjoy the plot shifts to the North Korea, which was another slap in the face for me when I thought nothing could surprise me anymore. The film is simply a 10/10 and when it's released somewhere again, I'm running there.

I am absolutely thrilled! I never thought the themes of gymnastics and revolution would work so well. Although the main character wasn't very likable, she worked well and was actually very easy to root for. The film was full of angst, apprehension and tension and combined with the excellent music. (I highly recommend the soundtrack on Spotify.) It is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Not to mention that the film is more than important now. "Free Ukraine!"

Oh, yes! Finally, a versatile series that, while embellished with cute animations and filters, does not use explicit scenes and drugs. It's a terribly sweet and really well cast sorority that I watched in one evening. The icing on the cake is Olivia Colman, it was a shock to me when she first appeared. I definitely recommend it because this series is really for everyone and shows what the chosen teenagers have to go through. P.S. I really hope there will be a second season!