Irish Film Institute -REVIEW ROUNDUP: BLIND AMBITION, WHERE IS ANNE FRANK & HOLE IN THE HEAD

REVIEW ROUNDUP: BLIND AMBITION, WHERE IS ANNE FRANK & HOLE IN THE HEAD

This week’s new titles at the Irish Film Institute from Friday, 12th August 2022 include Blind Ambition, Where is Anne Frank and Hole in the Head.  Read on for a selection of reviews or pop in to make up your own mind!

BLIND AMBITION

“It’s impossible not to smile along with this feelgood documentary” 4/5 – The Guardian 

“A tale of four competitive Zimbabwean tasters hits all the right notes” – The Times

“The Zimbabwean team are fun, passionate and make for an enjoyable watch” – Little White Lies

“A truly uplifting documentary that celebrates just how irrepressible the human spirit can be” – News24

“Blind Ambition is a stirring and entertaining documentary” 8/10 – 2Oceansvibe

“An inspiring and uplifting ‘underdog story” 4/4 – Morning Star

“While the film follows the formula of any underdog story, what emerges is, according to its creators, a much deeper picture.” – The Drinks Business

WHERE IS ANNE FRANK 

“The story of Anne Frank and her diary is retold in this fervent, heartfelt and visually wonderful animated film” 4/5 – The Guardian

“An inventive animation from Ari Folman” 4/5 – The Irish Examiner

“A new animation tells Frank’s story through the girl she wrote to in her diary” – The Times

“Animated film explores the disconnect between myth and history” Financial Times

“It is a thought-provoking and engaging film” 4/4 – Morning Star

“Imaginatively retells the well-known story” – Socialist Worker

“Refugees are being denied sanctuary yet Anne is deified, something Folman uses to make blunt but effective points about the lessons of her young life being forgotten by an adult world too concerned with her value as a tourist attraction” 4/4 – The Scotsman

“It uses a device that might have come from a Disney film – Kitty, the imaginary friend to whom Anne addressed her diary, comes to life in contemporary Amsterdam and tries to find her – but it tells a decidedly un-Disney story, albeit in a way that is suitable for children, and it is being shown in both English and Hebrew versions” – The Jerusalem Post

“Where is Anne Frank Animates an Important Story in a Beautiful Way” – Movieweb

HOLE IN THE HEAD

“The film proposes a hauntological discourse on autofiction, trauma and private ritual, which has been compared by film critic and scholar Fergus Daly to the early films of Atom Egoyan.” – Scannain

“The film-makers’ invention and intelligence is never in doubt. Celebrate the continuing mainstream success of Irish film. Celebrate also those working at the edges.” 4/5 – The Irish Times

 

AVAILABLE ON IFI@HOME FROM FRIDAY AUGUST 12TH:

FRIDA

“An entertaining biopic with strong performances, especially from Hayek” 4/4 – Empire

“This women-led movie makes sure to portray her story in a way that encapsulates all of who she was; it does not shy away from scenes that portray women as less than whole and perfect” – The Runner

RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO JUST DECIDED TO GO FOR IT:

“A story of uplift and triumph” 3/4 – Roger Ebert

“A funny, occasionally foul-mouthed and almost startlingly frank portrait of the 89-year-old performer” 3/4 – The Washington Post

“Mariem Perez Riera’s celebratory documentary covers the full sweep of Moreno’s seven decades long career but also addresses her significance as a trailblazing Latina woman and political activist.” – Screen Daily

 

 

 

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