Director/Writer Rob Jabbaz’s “The Sadness” is easily the starkest and most depressing commentary on humanity that’s been produced in the last ten years. Humanity during the COVID era (?) has revealed a lot about itself during a pandemic that’s almost proven apocalyptic, and Jabbaz jumps on true events to deliver a message to his audience. Sadly, the message isn’t hopeful. Or optimistic. And no, it’s not at all cynical. It’s truth. It’s a clear cut exploration of civilization, and how easy it is (and can be) for everyone within to turn on each other, and descend in to absolute chaos, sadism, and delirium.
Tag Archives: Foreign
Indemnity (2021) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Theo, a Firefighter on leave following an accident, is suffering from severe PTSD which leads him to doubt his own mind. When his wife is found dead next to him one morning, he goes on the run looking for clues as to what happened.
Dreams on Fire (2021) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Yume has a passion for dance. She leaves for Tokyo where she takes dance classes, joins contests, gets hired as a dancer, and generally lives the life of a dancer with all its ups and its downs.
Wonderful Paradise (2020) (Nouten Paradise) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
As a family is forced to sell their house and move, the teenage daughter posts a general invitation on social media to come party in the backyard. As strangers and acquaintances show up, things get weirder and weirder.
Back to the Wharf (Feng Ping Lang Jing) (2020) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
A teen who went on the run returns home fifteen years later and finds himself pulled back into what had him leave in the first place.
Holy Beasts (2019)
After the passing of her close friend who was a film director, actress Vera decides to finish his final film for him by stepping in front and behind the camera. The process of doing this is an emotional one that leads her to question many things in her life and within herself.
Yakuza Princess (2020) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Many times whenever a movie is adapted from a graphic novel, the movie should have a good jumping in point where you can easily follow along. The problem with “Yakuza Princess” is that it feels like you almost have to read the original graphic novel to understand almost anything going on here. “Yakuza Princess” isn’t a bad movie per se. It’s a beautifully filmed adaptation with excellent visuals by Vicente Amorim, it’s just that you will probably have a tough time following along with the mythology and motivations behind the characters if you never read the original material.