RSt_2022

I have often wondered what happens in supermarkets at night. Who stocks the shelves? What happens to all the food that cannot be consumed? Who are all the people who work there to get things organized? Now I have my answer. And a beautiful one at that. Sometimes gut-wrenchingly sad. Sandra Hüller and Franz Rogowski are outstanding, and Peter Kurth is brilliant. So many emotions, so few words. And I never thought forklifts would engage me so much. Individual stories are stacked onto one another, creating a landscape that breathes with life. Much like the shelves. Somehow it all fits together. The drinks bottles, the coffee dispenser, the candy bars, and the freezer section - all have a role to play in the story. In the hands of Thomas Stuber the story takes on many twists and turns - much like the forklifts winding through the aisles. This has been one of the most surprising and satisfying films I've seen in a while. My supermarket visits will be a whole new experience from this point on.

Each time I eat oysters and salmon from this time on, I will think of God's Creatures. And the stories of people bringing such creatures to our tables. The violence, sadness, trauma, resignation, and grief accompanying the ocean's bounty. A beautifully crafted film with wonderfully restrained performances by Emily Watson and Paul Mescal mesmerizes. And the unusual music is particularly moving. There are moments when the sound drums and oysters moving on conveyers mesh to create a pounding soundscape - my heart almost skipped a beat. The sea holds dark secrets, much like families. When those surface, things fall apart. So do families. Those are good days.

The difference between passing judgement and serving justice is at the heart of this incredibly moving film. Laying open social issues surrounding isolation, education, assimilation, and culture, whilst taking them apart word by word is beautiful to watch. And extremely emotional to experience. With restraint and very few words, the story of two seemingly connected Senegalese women living in France cross roads with the mythical Medea in a tragic tale of loss. The actors are powerful and I found myself engrossed watching the film even more the second time around. This one is not for the faint hearted.