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There’s something about fantasy and horror that simultaneously repels and attracts the young; it could be peering into the unknown, perhaps it’s something that is “taboo,” or maybe they’re simply drawn to the weird and unexplainable. This last point would certainly explain the devoted cult that surrounds The Peanut Butter Solution (1985), a Canadian film that plays the odd as matter of fact instead of something to cower from. A good lesson to be sure, and one that Severin Films knows all too well. And with this, their first release under the Severin Kids banner, they’re tapping into a particular vein that adults will enjoy as well. Strange is strange, no matter your age.

The brainchild of French Canadian producer Rock Demers, Tpbs was the second in his series of films entitled Tales for All, a group of family orientated movies, some of whose popularity reached farther than the Great White North.

My knowledge of Cuban cinema is limited to a handful of films — one or two native productions and works by foreigners like Wim Wenders’ Buena Vista Social Club and Michael Rubbo’s Waiting for Fidel. So my interest was aroused when President Obama announced his administration’s change in policy regarding Cuba. The political ramifications of the President’s policies are, of course, extremely personal for Cuban-Americans, and discussions about the politics of the announcement and human-rights issues in Cuba are occurring across the nation(s). While not disregarding these discussions, I wanted to take a moment to look at the possibilities normalized relations might create […]...

My knowledge of Cuban cinema is limited to a handful of films — one or two native productions and works by foreigners like Wim Wenders’ Buena Vista Social Club and Michael Rubbo’s Waiting for Fidel. So my interest was aroused when President Obama announced his administration’s change in policy regarding Cuba. The political ramifications of the President’s policies are, of course, extremely personal for Cuban-Americans, and discussions about the politics of the announcement and human-rights issues in Cuba are occurring across the nation(s). While not disregarding these discussions, I wanted to take a moment to look at the possibilities normalized relations might create […]...

Australian film-maker Jan Sharp was honoured at the Telluride Film Festival. The festival was dedicated to both Sharp and Us producer Bingham Ray. Sharp’s film credits include Wide Sargasso Sea and Echoes of Paradise.

Accompanying The Sapphires and documentary On Borrowed Time by David Bradbury about film-maker Paul Cox and his life on a liver transplant waiting list were short films Rain by Tom and Sam McKeith, Barn Owl by Anna Spencer and Boo! by Rupert Reid.

The announcement:

Colorado’s Telluride Film Festival ending today was dedicated to the late Australian writer/producer/director Jan Sharp, as well as to the late Us producer Bingham Ray.

Jan’s long career began at Film Australia and included credits Wild Sargasso Sea and The Good Wife.

Bingham was a co-founder of October Films, a leading independent distribution company of the 1990s, and a former president of United Artists.

Australian films...