Facing War (12A)
Directed by Tommy Gulliksen
⭑⭑☆☆☆

VISIBLY obsequious, this film follows Nato’s secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg in his final year of officiating over the alliance as it creaks at the seams, while being dragged into the Ukrainian war by the relentless travails of the charmless Volodymyr Zelensky.

Essentially it is an endlessly repetitive sequence of frankly boring meetings, both in camera and in public, that is devoid of drama or any meaningful enquiry into the true background of the unfolding tragedy on Nato’s eastern flank.

Born with a silver spoon, the former prime minister of Norway, was referred to as the “Norwegian Tony Blair” as his policies mimicked those of Blair and placed him firmly on the right of social democracy. Since retirement from Nato, he’s been appointed finance minister.

In one brief but telling clip the unperturbed persona he cultivates appears visibly shaken into tight-lipped silence when anti-Nato protesters call him to his face: “War criminal.” His ego is manifestly offended.

The inclusion of Joe Biden’s memorable gaffe of introducing Zelensky as “Putin” should have added a light touch but is, instead, an unintended wry comment on Nato’s collective state of mind.

In a monotonous voice over the running credits Stoltenberg feebly admits that one day “we’ll have to talk to Russia,” citing all the wars Scandinavians fought against one another over the centuries before differences were settled and peace restored.

It is, however, to be regretted that the said reflection failed to inform his leadership of the ever more belligerent alliance.

MB

In cinemas October 31.

Kontinental ’25 (15)
Directed by Radu Jude
⭑⭑⭑☆☆

ROMANIAN director Radu Jude is back with a sharp and irreverent social satire which examines our materialistic society, and the attitudes to and treatment of the poor and disenfranchised, with dinosaurs thrown in. 

Set in Cluj in Transylvania, the film, written and directed by Jude, follows Orsolya (Eszter Tompa) a bailiff who suffers a moral crisis when she is forced to evict a homeless man from a basement who subsequently commits suicide. Riddled with guilt she ponders on what more could have been done for him and the lack of support and help from the authorities. She tries to find comfort and redemption as she discusses her situation with friends and family who voice their disdain for the homeless and her liberal views.  

Shot in 10 days on an iPhone, guerilla-style, it presents an oxymoron: a compassionate bailiff with a moral conscience, and ends on a thought-provoking note. 

MD

In cinemas October 31.

Bugonia (15)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

VISIONARY director Yorgos Lanthimos puts his unique and surreal stamp on this riveting psychological thriller which examines the madness of our current world in terms of conspiracies, paranoia and disconnect, fuelled by social media and the internet.

Based on the 2003 South Korean film Save The Green Planet, and written by Will Tracy, it follows two conspiracy-obsessed cousins (played by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis) who kidnap the high-powered CEO of a pharmaceutical company (Emma Stone), convinced she is an alien plotting to destroy the Earth. A claim she refutes. 

In her fifth collaboration with Lanthimos, Stone, who shaved her head for the role, delivers another show-stopping performance as she goes toe to toe with the phenomenal Plemons who is equally at the top of his game. 

Provocative and audacious, this deliciously dark and bonkers satire is full of shocking turns.  

MD

In cinemas October 31.

Relay (15)
Directed by David Mackenzie
⭑⭑⭑⭑☆

FROM the director of Hell or High Water comes a taut and razor-sharp thriller with espionage vibes which will keep you on tenterhooks from beginning to end. 

Set in New York it centres on a world-class fixer (Riz Ahmed) who brokers lucrative payoffs between corrupt corporations and the individuals who threaten to ruin them. He follows a set of strict rules, keeping his identity secret, which includes only communicating via a Relay telephone service in which his text-based messages are read out by a Relay assistant. But all goes awry when he takes on a new client Sarah (Lily James). 

Driven by gripping performances from Ahmed and James, who say very little, this is a compelling slow potboiler which turns into a riveting cat-and-mouse game as it taps into 1970s paranoid thrillers and film noir.

It is a very surprising film. 

MD

In cinemas October 31.