IviDvo

Since I had the opportunity to spend some time in India, I always like to watch Indian productions, or rather the ones that show the real and everyday life of the people of this huge country full of contrasts. I don’t mean exactly Bollywood 😊 Here we follow the story of Constable Santosh, who is new to the police force, and under the guidance of the experienced Inspector Sharma, they investigate the murder of a young girl from the lowest caste. I think criminal investigation in India is extremely remarkable and fascinating, but in this film it's rather skimmed over – I would definitely recommend the very authentic and successful Indian series Delhi Crime for a better idea. Their investigative techniques, procedures, the level of corruption, and the kind of background they have, or rather don't have, it boggles my mind that they are able to successfully conclude an investigation. But Santosh is definitely not just an ordinary detective story. It opens up a lot of deeper themes that make you think, so you don't leave the cinema completely clear-headed. [Festival de Cannes 2024]

Once upon a time, there was a poor woodcutter and his wife, they did their best to survive – the story takes place during wartime and winter. One day, a small precious cargo falls out of a passing train and turns their lives upside down. I don't want to give away more of the story because I think that if you don't find out anything about the film beforehand, its development is quite unpredictable, and that's what I liked about it. At times poignant, at times dramatic and chilling... I think the animation was very well suited for this kind of story, and it's all nicely illustrated by Alexandre Desplat's haunting score. [Festival de Cannes 2024]

Catherine de Saint Phalle, known as Niki, was an important and multi-talented artist, painter, sculptor and illustrator. In her childhood she experienced very severe traumas that led to deep depression and a suicide attempt. It was during her stay in a psychiatric hospital that she began to devote herself to creative activity. Niki is the directorial debut of the well-known actress Céline Sallette, who shows quite some talent and attention to detail with this film. What I found to be a very interesting move were the scenes where Niki creates her works, or someone is watching and evaluating them, but the viewer doesn't see a single detail, there is not a single shot of her work, which is such a great bait for the uninitiated who doesn't know her works. Which was definitely the case for me, so logically I googled the artist right after the screening. [Festival de Cannes 2024]