‘The Namesake’: A Delicate Meditation on Diaspora, Identity, and the Stories We Carry
'The Namesake' doesn’t demand attention through spectacle or sentimentality; instead, it lingers in the small details.
Paul Enicola is a self-described cinephile who couldn’t stop talking—and writing—about films. Inspired by the biting sarcasm of Kael and the levelheaded worldview of Ebert, his love for film began watching Asian films directed by Lino Brocka, Satyajit Ray, and Wong Kar-wai. He's currently based in the Philippines, where he serves as a member of the Society of Filipino Film Reviewers.
'The Namesake' doesn’t demand attention through spectacle or sentimentality; instead, it lingers in the small details.
Have you ever loved someone so deeply that you lost yourself in the process? This unspoken question haunts every frame of Lino Brocka’s 'Bona.'
In '15 Ways My Dad Almost Died,' Sura Mallouh crafts an intimate, far-reaching exploration of survival, memory, and the unexpected ways humour can bridge generations.
Takes the well-worn conventions of horror, turns them on their head, and delivers an experience that’s as chaotic as it is clever.
As a portrait of life lived under quiet duress, 'Nikah' leaves an indelible impression.
'Starring Jerry as Himself' is as much about exploring truth as it is about recounting its protagonist’s strange and unsettling experience.
'Plastic' explores how music shapes identity, connects people, and ultimately serves as a refuge for the dreams and passions of youth.
Imelda Marcos demanded 'Manila by Night' be changed to 'City After Night,' believing the film gave her city a bad name. Too bad for her.
Writer-director Belkıs Bayrak’s feature debut, 'Gülizar,' portrays sexual violence with sensitivity and depth by focusing on its protagonist’s journey underscored by silence and compartmentalisation.
Exoticism and fetishization of Asian culture is thankfully absent from 'A Missing Person,' in large part due to Guillaume Senez's smart direction.