Bookish & Film Enthusiast
Based in nyc
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The Seed of the Sacred Fig 2024
2024 NYFF 4.5/5
I really liked the director’s cold and sharp cinematographic style—it was visually stunning. The performances of both the mother and the eldest daughter were excellent, especially the mother, who constantly played the role of the peacemaker in the household. Even up until the end, she still held onto the hope that everything would return to normal if they just handed over the gun. I also loved the scene where the eldest daughter's classmate tended to her wound.…
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Stranger Eyes 2024
nyff
Overall, the first half was excellent. The sound design and original score perfectly paced the film, creating a tight rhythm. The relationship between the watcher and the watched, and their differences, were beautifully handled through the cinematography. One standout scene was in the supermarket, where Lee Kang-sheng uses security cameras to express his admiration for Pei-ying, and we see her gradually come to enjoy being watched. Paired with Tsai Chin’s "The Forgotten Time," it was arguably the most romantic…
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The Abandoned 2022
2023 nyc nyaff
The plot is fairly standard, nothing too out of the ordinary, but Zhang Juning's performance is truly impressive! And let's not forget the superb acting from the disturbed photo studio owner, it's definitely more than just okay. Those photographs in the film are genuinely spine-chilling! I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5
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In Broad Daylight 2023
2023 nyc nyaff
This is an incredibly heavy and impactful film that revolves around a nursing home, disabled individuals, and the harrowing theme of abuse and sexual assault. Each elderly character's journey is filled with adversity, particularly the scene in the shower, which is perhaps the boldest and most brutal sequence I have witnessed in recent years. The elderly are depicted like helpless animals, stripped bare and subjected to the forceful spray of water, making it an emotionally intense and…
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