Hate Story 2
A Revenge Tale That Dared to Go Darker When Hate Story 2 hit the screens in 2014, it came with the weight of its franchise name and the promise of more fire, more vengeance, and more unapologetic drama. Directed by Vishal Pandya, the film was positioned as a standalone revenge thriller — not a direct […]
Criminal Desires
A modest film that promised a big Criminal Desires was not anticipated to compete with big-name releases when it was released in the year 2013. Its marketing tagline was a dark creepy thriller to capture the attention of the film-goers. The marketing was intended low budget with high stakes layered with psychology. The cover of […]
The Sentimental Education of Eugénie
Before the Screen Lights Came On When the first ‘Sentimental Education of Eugénie’ was first announced, there was excitement, though cautious, within the circle of cinema in Europe. Since adaptations of de Sade’s work are controversial by default, there is a risk that is certain to come with any iteration of his work. Hence, the […]
Vernost
A Life in Silence with a Break Lena’s work in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology earned her a reputation coupled with the respect of her patients and peers alike which she appreciated. Her work in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology earned her a reputation coupled with the respect of her patients and peers […]
Original Sin
Original Sin: Between Desire, Destiny, and the Shadows of Real Life Original Sin, upon its debut in 2001, was much anticipated even before its premiere due to the magnificent geek suspense that surrounded it. With the beauty of the American screen, Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas did not only act in the movie, but ‘wore […]
Rita
A Film That Carried More Than a Story Rita (2009) one of the most celebrated directorial debuts of Marathi cinema was more than a film to Renuka Shahane. It was a reflection; a self-portrait. Like most self-portraits the novel Rita Welingkar by Shanta Gokhale is an outline already framed. It was never only about a […]
Love
Love: How a Small Film Alone Reflected Much Larger Realities There are films which announce their arrival with a mammoth marketing budget, an impressive cast, and a lot of commotion. Then, there are films like Love (2020, Malayalam) directed by Khalid Rahman, which seamlessly enter a cinema hall and an OTT platform, and remain etched […]
The Ornithologist
A Journey Into the Wilderness João Pedro Rodrigues’ The Ornithologist is the first Portuguese film which is not solely dedicated to birds or landscapes. It is more of a spiritual allegory regarding identity, sex, and faith captured through surrealism and deeply rooted emotions. Rodrigues’ work is a perfect fit for the Portuguese cinema that still […]
My Sisters Keeper
When Love Turns into a Battlefield There are few films which capture the essence of love, sacrifice, and ethical quandaries as deeply as My Sister’s Keeper (2009). Nick Cassavetes, the director, notes that the film is more than just a tear jerker. It reflects the painful truths which families choose to ignore. Beyond the courtroom […]
Berlin Syndrome
The Promise of a Holiday Romance That Never Was The first trailers of Berlin Syndrome prepared the audience to the usual story of a young woman flying alone and falls in love in a new city. The Classic chance meetings. The original love and the Berlin flirtations and the romance and the daylight. Cate Shortlands […]