I believe most writers, especially those of us who cover the arts, have a small “dream interview” list, people that we’d love to talk to, should the stars align. High on my shortlist for about a decade has been documentarian Penny Lane. She’s directed some of the most unique and memorable documentaries in recent years, full of vivid characters. Some of her most notable films include Our Nixon, Nuts!, Hail Satan?, and Listening to Kenny G. She’s like a Gen X Errol Morris and she’s amazing.
SIFF 2023: Shout at the devil with Even Hell Has Its Heroes and Satan Wants You
Short reviews of two documentaries: Even Hell Has Its Heroes, about the NW rock band Earth, and Satan Wants You about the Canadian roots of the Satanic panic.
SIFF 2023: teen angst with ANU and I Like Movies
Short reviews of SIFF films, both about kids having a tough time.
SIFF 2023: Meaningful vacations in The Eight Mountains and Chile ’76
Reviews from the Seattle International Film Festival.
SIFF opening night glitz & glamour
For the first time in a few years, the opening night gala for the Seattle International Film Festival felt almost too fancy for the likes of me to attend. It was the place to be, get dressed up, celebrate all that film in Seattle and beyond has to offer and a fantastic surprise to boot.
SIFF 2023: NW Connections: Poets and Puns
Two local documentaries, both making their world premieres at SIFF, are reviewed (and recommended!).
SIFF 2023: Recommendations for Opening Weekend
It’s here! SIFF opens its 49th annual festival on Thursday night with Celine Song’s exceptional debut feature Past Lives. Here at the SunBreak, we’re excited to dive back into the city’s biggest festival for film fans. To help you navigate the deluge, we each identified a few recommendations for films screening over this coming days.
A poignant portrait of real life versus art in The Worst Ones
In an attempt at authenticity in his new film, the director, Gabriel (Johan Heldenbergh), seeks out youth from a housing project in a rural suburb in France. One young boy, Ryan (Timéo Mahaut), is the focus of the film and while he creates the mystique and gritty character they’re looking for, he’s already neglected by an unstable mother, having trouble in school and barely hanging on by the merciful love of his older sister.
SIFF 2023: SunBreak Index
An annotated list of all of the SunBreak’s coverage of the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, which runs from May 11-21 in person and May 22-28 online.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a catharsis for all that came before
We find ourselves back on Guardians’ base of operations with Peter, Drax, Nebula, Rocket and Groot, among others, trying to pull themselves together and find meaning in the new version of their day to day lives. After so much adventuring, ludicrous life-threatening scenarios and overwhelming loss (despite Gemora finding her way back to this existential plane), adjustment is challenging. Peter is trying to drink himself to death while the rest are building a new community amongst friends. As they’re settling in Warlock attacks Rocket out of nowhere and pushes him to the brink of death. To save their friend, the Guardians band together once again to seek out the key to unlocking not only Rocket’s mechanical body but the story of how he came to be.