FILM REVIEW: International Films #1 - Bolton Film Festival

Bolton Film Festival has gone entirely online this year, which is actually no bad thing since it affords many more people worldwide to experience the films on offer at the festival. The films are all available on the festival's website for a 48 hour period, and staggered over the two weeks of the festival. Here I looked at their films under the 'International' section.

1. Henet Ward - Egypt 2020 - Dir; Morad Mustefa

A Sudanese henna artist travels to Egypt with her much younger sister, in order to give henna tattoos to the bride for her wedding.

It's a slow-burner, and the film gives you the time to watch and understand the customs, routines, and way of life of this poor but average family as they prepare to celebrate a wedding. From my perspective I learned much about the societal structure and hierachy within such a family, as well as familial dynamics and the differences between those who have been exposed to western geegaws and those who have had a more traditional and blinkered upbringing. 

There is an altercation as the bride-to-be falls in the bathroom and the henna artist is blamed. There is much shouting, slapping, accusing and screaming as the film ends, without resolution and thus, ultimately for me at least, unsatisfyingly.

2. Hot Chocolate - New Zealand 2019 - Dir: David Hay

Legal Fiction Films have created a very European-styled drama; moody, with long broad strokes used to the film rather than short sharp stabs which is very much the Hollywood way. Good use of natural sound and long pauses between action.

Two sisters - one seemingly much older than the other arrive back at their home by car. The older one goes into the house to get some camping gear for an outing the two are going to take. Her 'flatmate' is not there which she finds odd, and then notices the garage and as she enters there, she finds him on the floor, having apparently committed suicide. In such a situation what would you do? Although the film does hint at the possibility that 'flatmate' is a euphemism, and the dead man (Alex) was much more to her than that.

Eventually, after phoning for an ambulance, ther two sisters (Margaret Sydenham and Chichiro Smithies) get back in the car and drive off.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall

on - 18/10/20