Back from a mini tour of Yorkshire and Stockport and cheering for supporting act Indignation Meeting
Film round-up with MARIA DUARTE: March 2, 2023
Reviews of Close, I'm fine (thanks for asking), Electric Malady and Creed III
film
ALISTAR FINDLAY is mesmerised by this multiple ‘Visions of Scotland’ assault on the audience’s eyes and senses
The Star's critics ANGUS REID, ANDY HEDGECOCK and MICHAL BONCZA reviews I Am Love, The Penguin Lessons, Freaky Tales, The Thicket
MAYER WAKEFIELD has reservations about the direction of a play centered on a DVLA re-training session for three British-Pakistani motorists
New releases from Steve Knightley, Jupiter & Okwess, Jason Palmer, Lisa Knapp and Gerry Driver, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata, Ingrid Laubrock/Tom Rainey, Dan Sealey, Simin Tande, PAZ
Peter Mitchell's photography reveals a poetic relationship with Leeds
A uncomfortably misogynistic authorial voice that sometimes seems to lack insight troubles FIONA O’CONNOR
Close (12A)
Directed by Lukas Dhont
★★★★
Belgian film director Lukas Dhont follows up his haunting feature Girl with a coming of age story about childhood innocence lost, as the intense friendship between two boys is suddenly torn apart. It has been nominated for an Academy award.
Thirteen-year-old Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are best friends living in each other’s pockets. Remi’s mother (Emilie Dequenne) declares Leo to be her second son. He and Remi do everything together including sleeping side by side in the same bed.
However when they start high school and a girl asks Leo if they are a couple he denies it vehemently and begins to pull away from Remi. He neglects his former friend and hangs out with other boys and takes up ice hockey. His actions leave Remi at a loss and have a devastating effect on both of them.
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