Sabaya

This is a film review of Sabaya (2021), directed by Hogir Hirori.

Mountain Cat

This is a review of the short film, Mountain Cat (2020), directed by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir.

I Ran From It and Was Still In It

This is a film review of the short film, I ran from it and was still in it (2020), directed by Darol Oku Kae.

Revising Mary Queen of Scots: from Protestant Persecution to Patriarchal Struggle

Since Mary Queen of Scots’ execution in 1587, she has become a symbol of Scottish identity, failed female leadership, and Catholic martyrdom. Throughout the twentieth century, Mary was regularly depicted on screen (Ford, 1936; Froelich, 1940; Jarrott, 1971) as a thrice-wed Catholic queen, unable to rule her country due to her feminine nature and Catholic roots. However, with the rise of third wave feminism and postfeminism in media, coupled with the increased influence of female directors and writers, Mary’s characterization has shifted from portraying female/emotional weakness and religious sacrifice to female/collaborative strength in hardship and a struggle against patriarchal prejudice. Josie Rourke’s film Mary Queen of Scots (2018) and CW’s Reign (2013-2017) present a queen who is no longer limited to her religious identity as a Catholic martyr, and consequently a weak ruler. Instead religious division is mostly sidelined, and gendered politics is the central struggle, highlighting similarities between Mary and Queen Elizabeth I of England, where previous films presented opposites. Together, these two productions transform Mary’s narrative from fragility and religion, into a struggle against misogynistic control of powerful women.

Like the Ones I Used to Know

This is a review of the short film, Like the Ones I Used to Know [Le Grand Claques] (2020), directed by Annie St-Pierre.

Strawberry Mansion

This is a film review of Strawberry Mansion (2021), directed by Albert Birney and Kentucker Audley.

Bambirak

This is a review of the short film, Bambirak (2020), directed by Zamarin Wahdat.

Pleasure

This is a film review of Pleasure (2021), directed by Ninja Thyberg

Reboot Camp

This is a film review of Reboot Camp (2020), directed by Ivo Raza.

Together Together

This is a film review of Together Together (2021), directed by Nicole Beckwith.