James Drew makes his pick of films to watch in the coming weeks.
Dune: Part Two
Now, shout me down if you wish, but I happen to think that David Lynch’s 1984 take on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, Dune, was a lot more fun than Dune: Part One (2021), directed by Denis Villeneuve (Enemy (2013). Villeneuve’s film just took itself way, way too seriously, and had none of the good guys-bad guys rock’n’roll that made Lynch’s film so enjoyable by comparison. In part two, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) continues his journey, united with Chani and the Fremen, as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, and endeavors to prevent a terrible future that only he can predict. One can only hope that this latest effort will capture a little more of just how clever Herbert’s original novel was, with maybe a few more mind-blowing battles to outweigh the first film’s po-faced attitude.
165 mins.
Ferrari
One of the finest directors the US has ever produced, Michael Mann (Manhunter (1986), Heat (1995), The Insider (1999)) returns to the big screen with this study of Enzo Ferrari, based on the 1991 biography Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine. Adam Driver plays Ferrari, who founded the company, during the summer of 1957, and an ensemble cast, including Penélope Cruz and Patrick Dempsey, are along for the ride.
130 mins.
The Last Front
A Belgian film written and directed by Julien Kerknawi. Set during World War I, it follows a widower farmer-come-war-hero, Leonard (Iain Glen) and his family as they are thrown into the midst of a war they do not understand. It is set during the first days of the conflict as the German war machine advances, and during what came to be known as the Rape of Belgium. Of his film, Kerknawi has said: “I want to show the people how the people themselves handled the First World War, how they had to fight and struggle.”
Running time TBC
Amal
Belgium certainly seems to be featuring in this months’ films – Amal, directed by Jawad Rhalib (When Arabs Danced (2018)), tells the story of Amal (Lubna Azabal), a teacher in a Brussels school, who decides to encourage her pupils to cultivate a love of reading and freedom of expression, even if it means putting herself in danger. Her daring teaching practices will change her pupils’ and their families’ lives. The believable, down to earth approach of its actors has won acclaim. In French and Arabic with English subtitles. 107 mins.
