I had wanted to write small reviews for each film that I saw at the festival but struggled to find the time to sit down and explore my thoughts on each. Maybe in the mid-semester break I’ll revisit my experience at the festival and attempt to reconcile my memories from a very busy two and a bit weeks.


One film I did really want to write about was Josh and Benny Safdie’s Heaven Knows What (2015). Visually  it was an incredibly powerful and visceral film. For the most part the film was shot using immediate close ups and as an audience member I felt confined in its chaos. The film contained little if no spots for calm reflection and afterwards I felt disoriented and a little exhausted.

Is this the sign of a good film?

I’m not sure if I would say it was a magnificent film on all fronts. However, it was a film that was completely gripping, removing the audience from their own universe and hurtling them into the gritty and frightening world of New York drug addicts. In saying that personally I found it hard to relate to any character onscreen and found myself disgusted at their behaviour. Many people would have dismissed this film based purely on their disgust at the onscreen action. Surely though a film evoking such a raw emotion is doing something right? Although this film evoked alienation and horror it did so to honestly represent its subject matter and to banish any form of romanticism.

In relation to Film III I think it’s an interesting exploring in its treatment of reality. The film is based on the memoir of its leading actress Arielle Holmes who plays a fictionalised version of herself. Many of the extras are people from her life and a lot of the dialogue appears to be improvisational. As Holmes’ relives the darkest moments of her life in character, we struggle to see where the character ends and Holmes starts.