Sold (5/5, Very Good)

Dramatic, provocative, heart-breaking. Many words came up to our minds when we saw this film. It doesn't aim to entertain: it aims to ends something. To end sex trafficking. 

The story's about 10 years old Lakshmi (Niyar Saikia), living in poor rural Nepal who wants to build opportunities for herself and for her family. She will go to the city seeking for work. However the dark streets of the urban world made her fall into the trap of sex slavery. Trapped and alone, Lakshmi would risk everything to escape. Meanwhile, a Canadian journalist (Gillian Anderson) is writing an article about sex trafficking in the same city. The path of both women will cross to seek what everyone wishes for: a way out. 

The movie from Academy Award Jeffrey D. Brown is honest. It doesn't want to use metaphors or euphemisms: sex trafficking is a reality. Sometimes it is hiding behind a beautiful façade, sometimes it is explicit. We recognize the courage of talking about a topic which is largely ignored by the media or even the cinema. That is why "Sold" is like a dagger: it shines by its elegance but can cut deep.  

Based on the novel of the same name by Patricia McCormick, the script contemplates the complexity of the matter. However it incorporates humour to alleviate the pain we feel as we explore the terrifying destinies of innocent women. The actors in the film are stunning: not only truly committed to the cause, they are to their characters.They contribute both in intensity and realism.We are laughing, suffering and crying with them.

"Sold" is a great film which tries to talk to everyone: sex trafficking is an universal issue.It is not only a 120 minutes length film: it is also a shout to the sky to start a global movement. Jeffrey D. Brown do not hesitate: he wants us to feel outraged. The only element we criticise is that it tries to adapt this story to Hollywood standards making it kind of predictable. However we value the initiative and we kindly welcome more films like this.

Trailer:

White Bird in a Blizzard (5/5, Very Good)

The new film from independent filmmaker Gregg Araki is a sensitive and dreamy tale of dark events happening in the life of a teenage girl. Once more, he proves why his name is well regarded in the independent cinema network. 

This is the end of the 1980s. It is the story of Kat (Shailene Woodley) who is leading a monotone life in a typical American suburb. She has a sexy boyfriend (Shiloh Fernandez), good friends and parents that take care of her. One day, her mother (Eva Green) simply vanishes. Police leads an investigation and there are no tracks of her. Kat tries to keep on with her life but many questions arise regarding her mother. Why isn't she there anymore? 

The script , adapted from a novel of the same name by Laura Kasischke, tells a classic dramatic story. However the originality resides in the ability of writer/director Gregg Araki to tell a dark story with a dreamy tone. It almost feels we are perpetually in a dream. Dreams can be beautiful but can also turn to be a nightmare. Araki pays special attention  to show us the world of Kat without the (classic) thriller tone but with love and sensitivity. He wants us to be there with her and understand her profound conflicts.One of the highlights as well is the ending: we weren't expecting that.

Both Shailene Woodley and Eva Green are very convincing. This latter is able, at her limited appearances on the screen, to create a character with deeply rooted conflicts and a complexity that is not very common to see in cinema. We think this is one of the best roles Eva Green have ever had. The cinematography, recognizable with high colors predominating in Araki's movies, is poetic and takes you far away from your seat. Also the soundtrack is composed with great care. 

This is the 'softest' film from Gregg Araki though. We think it is not a bad thing. People can start to see his films with this one and then enter to his world, which is one of the greatest in contemporary cinema. 

Trailer:

Wild Tales (5/5, Very Good)

Different short stories, all related with one topic: violence. Dramatic stories with a great touch of black humor, "Wild Tales" shows that the Argentine cinema industry is solid and powerful.

Seven different stories, different endings but the same tone: director Damian Szifrón privileges black humor and sometimes the burlesque. These collection of stories are representative of an Argentine society marked by social, political and even economic violence. Corruption, individualism, greed and  discrimination are among the elements which defines the characters. We could think that Argentina is a lost country. However, aren't most of these characteristics common to our modern society?

That is one of the most powerful aspects of this movie: it brings down the boundaries of culture and speaks to all. This is not an Argentine film, it is a global one. Violence is everywhere flowing around us: in our thoughts, in our words, in our physical moves. Nevertheless, director Szifrón decides to approach it with humour: instead of crying, laugh about it. A controversial approach? No doubt, but we enjoyed it so much! 

This is another demonstration of the Argentine cinema: it is intense, it is powerful and is not scared of taking risks. The music, composed by oscar-winning Gustavo Santaolalla, fits perfectly to the delicious and scary collection of stories. Discrete at times, strong at others. The cinematography manages to represent the diverse landscapes of Argentina (urban and rural) and to put it forward into the stories. Landscapes acquires a strong presence : either it is a story happening in a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, either it is in the city where the wild rhythm of life possesses the people. 

It is one of the best films of this year 2015 and we don't hesitate to say, a clear candidate for the Oscar of Best Foreign Film in 2015! 

Trailer: