Peyton Robinson

When it comes to the Palestinian genocide, it is simple for our brain's processes to be overwhelmed in viewing the constantly rising numbers of casualties and expansive horizons of destruction. But it is a privilege to be a witness and not a victim. It is a privilege to be overwhelmed by numbers and images rather than barrages of bombs and the loss of loved ones. It is a privilege to view these tragedies as generalized amongst a population, rather than an amalgam of unique lives. Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi's “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” is not simply a documentary, but a poignant individual's record. It is a reminder that every number we see on the news is a complex web of individuality. It's historical sonder on screen.

The film grants hope for the women of Iran through its thick-skinned subject, putting her resume and grit on display. But with sharper editing and a bit more eagerness for the personal, “Cutting Through Rocks” would supersede general hopefulness for a more intricate touch to the heart.

And the film understands that to label violent offenders with the familiar epithets, such as evil or monster, is to distance them from personhood, and therefore, undermine symptomatic aspects of the human and sociocultural experience. The film does not posit excuses for violence, and neither should we, but instead it prompts reflections on where compassion and control are needed, and where the pursuit of them falters.

as the star. “The Testament of Ann Lee” is a large-scale production, mighty in detail, and Fastvold proves herself up to the challenge of her own aspirations, tackling the weighty biography with the same sort of labor-intensive dedication characteristic of its subject.

Maintaining a close point of view, while essential to the film, is sometimes its greatest heel. In its closing shot, immense empathy and exhaustion are felt, powerfully concluding Floria's Sisyphean feat (yet with the knowledge that another shift awaits tomorrow). “Late Shift” never loses grasp of its compassion for its lead, but does neglect coloring in the context. Left wanting more, Volpe's film touches the heart but doesn't satisfy the appetite for a more comprehensive picture.

96 minutes ‧ R ‧ Less than an hour ago Nora Kirkpatrick 's “Couples Weekend” isn't a matter of lives ending, like the horror classics

While Ripstein’s satirical approach lends an appealing bassline, his format fails to capture the victory's emotional resonance.

The film is likely to poke, prod, stab, and sting at the ribs of its demographic until their hope for redemption runs out.

It matches its bite with embrace, simultaneously cradling the personalities caught in the crossfire of persona-driven capitalism.