mujanova

The Settlers (Los Colonos) marks the directorial debut of Felipe Gálvez Haberle, delving into a dark chapter of Chilean history during the early 20th century. The film portrays the harrowing tale of the exploitation and colonization of Tierra del Fuego by the Chilean government's allies, who employed mercenaries to hunt and massacre the indigenous Patagonian tribes.

This gripping western-drama-thriller follows three horsemen hired by a wealthy landowner to map out his expansive estate for sheep farming in Patagonia. What begins as a seemingly innocent cartographic assignment soon transforms into a brutal campaign to eradicate the indigenous tribes residing on the land. The film tactfully avoids explicit violence, choosing instead to focus on the actions of the perpetrators.

In the poignant epilogue, a surviving native couple is depicted posing for a documentary commissioned by the state government. They are portrayed sipping tea and dressed in European attire, symbolizing a vision of coexistence between settlers and natives. However, the main female character, Rosa, rejects this staged portrayal of harmony, recognizing it as a veiled attempt to erase cultural heritage and identity.

"You'll Never Find Me" marks the impressive directorial debut of Australian duo Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen. This unique indie horror film boasts an extraordinary screenplay with a heavy emphasis on dialogue.

The story revolves around two characters: Patrick (played superbly by Brendan Rock), a man living alone in an old caravan in an Australian camp, grieving the loss of his wife and trying to fend off neighboring children; and The Visitor (also excellently portrayed by Jordan Cowan), who arrives at Patrick's door on a stormy night, sparking a tense and mysterious dialogue between the two.

The film is a masterclass in creating tension through dialogue, keeping viewers on edge throughout the night without giving away the ultimate outcome. Bell and Allen have crafted a fantastic Australian horror film that excels in every aspect. The lead performances are captivating, the environment is expertly transformed into a claustrophobic setting, and the dialogue is carefully chosen and delivered with precision.

Overall, "You'll Never Find Me" is a highly recommended indie horror film that showcases the talent of its directors and actors alike.

In her directorial debut, Sonja Tarokic adeptly tackles the complexities of children's education, exploring the intricate dynamics between various groups involved - school managers, teachers, professional staff, the competent ministry, students, and parents.

"The film, as Tarokic herself noted, revolves around a new pedagogue in an elementary school. Spanning one school year, it chronicles her first year at the school and her psychological evolution during this period. While not markedly different from other teachers in the staffroom, she stands out for her enthusiasm and dedication to progress. The central theme of the film is the gradual onset of defeatism in life." The protagonist, Anamarija (played fantastically by Marina Redzepovic), approaches her first permanent job at an elementary school near Zagreb with professionalism, demonstrating a high degree of empathy as she tackles the students' challenges. However, the true challenge lies not with the students but with the system, personified by the teaching staff and particularly the school principal.

The narrative delves into Anamarija's relationship with a history professor (superbly portrayed by Stojan Matavulj), who suffers from a psychotic disorder. He is ostracized by fellow teachers, criticized by parents for deviating from the curriculum, and kept in check by the manipulative principal (also excellently portrayed by Nives Ivankovic) due to the competent ministry's lack of interest in addressing his behavior. Anamarija strives to shield the children from his toxic influence, which stems from his trauma.

The film poignantly highlights a sad reality by featuring a relatively small number of children, with a focus on those with problematic behavior, such as the character Lovro.

Noteworthy is the film's surprisingly high-quality ethnic musical backdrop provided by the folklore ensemble Lado, complemented by the artistic paintings of the renowned Croatian naive painter Ivan Generalic.

Overall, Sonja Tarokic's impressive directorial debut showcases her talent and potential, setting high expectations for her future projects.