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Spencer – Review | Venice Film Festival 2021

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I can say with some confidence now that I’ve witnessed Kristen Stewart’s enchanting performance as Princess Diana in Spencer – the race for next years 2022 Best Actress Oscar has officially begun. And Stewart is out with a comfortable lead.

Spencer is directed by Pablo Larraín best known for his similarly-themed biopic about a notable female historical figure; Jackie. The script has been penned by Steven Knight (Locke) and Kristen Stewart stars as the titular Diana Spencer. While you might be thinking this is a biopic about Diana, Larraín has labelled the film as a “a fable from a true tragedy”.

Oddly enough Spencer joins the likes of Die Hard, Iron Man 3 and Carol as an unconventional Christmas film. Set over 3 days during the festive season, the film opens on a shot of a dew-kissed Sandringham estate where the Windsor family will be spending their Christmas together.



We watch as a cavalcade of staff roll into the grounds to set up the mansion for the royal familiy’s pending arrival. Everything runs like clockwork; the chefs, servants and security march in unison to their stations with military precision. Large carriers containing the most opulent foods are popped away in the fridges of the grandest of kitchens. The grandeur of this scene can not be overstated. It immediately tells us that even though the Royals may celebrate Christmas like everybody else – they aren’t like anything us.

We then cut to the Princess of Wales exclaiming “where the fuck am I?” Lost somewhere in the countryside, she pulls into a dingy little roadside café – the kind no royal would be caught dead in. She shyly walks up to the counter to a gawping worker and asks for directions.

This opening sequence is quite frankly genius. Not only is it intoxicatingly shot and paced but the everyday-relatability of Diana stopping to ask for directions cleverly juxtaposes the lavish, pre-planned, chauffeured lifestyle of the royals. This time we’re thinking she is one of us.

Jonny Greenwood seems to be everywhere at this years Venice Film Festival. Not only did he provide the score for Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog but he’s also produced the score for Spencer too which aches with melancholy. There’s a notable tinge of tragedy in the strings. However when Diana finally arrives at the estate, Greenwood infuses his score with some jazzy trumpets. Jazz by its nature is surprising, spontaneous and disruptive – so it makes total sense that when Diana walks through the hoity-toity entrance to the manor, that she herself is disrupting the status quo.

The keeper of the house Major Gregory (Timothy Spall) insists that Diana follows the strict regiment that has been laid out for her over the Christmas period. Everything has been set. From the food she eats, to the clothes she wears to the traditions she must upkeep; such as the yearly weigh-in before and after the 3 festive days. Everyone is expected to have gained 3 pounds as proof of just how much festive frivolity they’ve had. However a buleimc Diana is petrified of the notion of being weighed. But as Major Gregory insists not even the Queen is exempt from tradition.

This strict adherence to systemic tradition is what is causing Diana to feel like she suffocating. The family she has married into has removed so many of her individual freedoms that it’s squelched all semblance of who she once was. Her life is now so intensely planned out for her right down to the second. It’s why she insists on driving herself to the Sandringham estate because her car is one of the few remaining places where she feels like she has control.

I seriously believe that her turn as Diana Spencer will be the role that finally swings public opinion on Kristen Stewart as an actress. And rightfully so.



Think back to a decade ago during the Twilight years. Stewart had long been on the receiving end of public criticism about her acting style. The infamous stuttering and mouth-breathing became the source of many-a-meme. But much like her co-star and former Paramore Robert Pattinson, they’ve both slowly shed the stigma of wooden Twilight acting away.

Stewart has been taking on meatier roles in smaller projects like Camp X-Ray, Personal Shopper and Seberg – and earning herself a lot of critical clout in the process. She even became the first American actress to win the Cesar award for her supporting performance in Olivier Assayas’ Clouds of Sils Maria.

And now she’s taken on the role of arguably the most famous woman who ever lived – mere months after Emma Corrin captured the worlds heart in the 4th season of The Crown. And yet Stewart still manages to come into the Oscars race with the full force of a wrecking ball.


Not only does she look like Diana from the signature blonde bob to the ballet-dancer frame. But she’s also nailed the mannerisms that were quintessential Diana. Like her posture as she posed for photographs; Stewart raises one shoulder, tilts her head down and flutters her eyelashes while letting the coyest smile curl around her lips. It’s perfection. And of course she gest the accent spot on too. Stewart really did her homework.

Not only can I foresee her winning the Best Actress Volpi actress in Venice but she’s sure to ride the wave of momentum all the way to the Oscars. It’s a role too irresistible for the Academy to overlook. It ticks many of the criteria they gravitate towards; tragic historical figure, the actress has 95% of the screen time, it touches on challenging topics such as Bulimia and the scrutiny/mistreatment of female celebrities in the media. And ultimately it feels like the right role, for the right actress at the right point in her career to celebrate. I can see the Academy choosing Stewart as their Best Actress champion.

But it’s not just Kristen Stewart who will be acknowledged come awards season. Spencer is likely to be a major player with potential supporting nominations for Spall and Sally Hawkins. A Best Picture nomination seems highly likely along with a screenplay nomination for Steven Knight. Jonny Greenwood’s painfully beautiful score is likely to be favoured and we mustn’t forget about Jacqueline Durran’s exquisite costumes. I’m convinced the montage sequence of Diana dancing was only added just so Durran could show off the dozens of fabulous outfits she had picked out for the film.

Kristen Stewart [Spencer – Komplizen Film]


Larraín’s direction is thoughtfully evocative. It’s often been said that Diana’s life was like a fairytale; an ordinary girl who became a princess. Larraín utilises a lot of trucking shots to symbolically suggest a storybook unfolding before our eyes.

The tracking shots which stalk Diana down the bellowing corridors help us to empathise with Diana’s headspace – the walls are closing in and all eyes are constantly watching her. The mansion maybe huge but there’s no space for her to hide.




The only creative step that won’t be to everyones taste is the repeated motif of comparing Diana to King Henry the Eighths second wife Anne Boleyn. Camilla Parker Bowles is even compared to Jane Seymour in one scene. While the execution is a little on-the-nose, Larraín’s astute grasp of his surreal fairytale makes this creative choice feel justified. There were some derisive sniggers in the audience audience of my screening – particularly when Diana at one point morphs into Anne but it didn’t feel overplayed or out of place.

Spencer is magnificent achievement for everyone involved. A career highlight for Kristen Stewart that’s sure to be on everyone’s lips once they’ve seen it. it’s lusciously shot and has an intoxicating atmosphere thanks to Greenwood’s tremendous score.

Spencer will be released in Cinemas internationally from November 5th but is also screening as part of the BFI London Film Festival.

If you want to follow more of Luke’s coverage from the Venice Film Festival be sure to check out his Youtube channel.

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The Dive (2023) is a Claustrophobic Thriller | FrightFest

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Maximilian Erlenwein’s The Dive stars Billions’ Louisa Krause and Medieval’s Sophie Lowe. It follows two sisters May (Krause) and Drew (Lowe) as they go on their yearly diving trip off a remote coast. However, disaster strikes, and the sisters find themselves underwater when a rock slide occurs. May gets trapped under some of the rocks and must instruct Drew on how to get out of the situation. What follows is Drew needing to find a solution to rescue her sister, while her air is slowly starting to run out.

The Dive brings us a claustrophobic thriller that uses the real-time oxygen supply to keep us on edge. It gets to highlight how remaining calm is the best way to survive. The Dive uses the real-time situation to show the desperate measures Drew must go through to rescue her sister. Along with the obstacles that have now been placed in her way.

The Dive [credit Augenschein Filmproduktion]

The Dive gets to set the pulsing racing and the blood pumping even though the characters remain incredibly calm. This gets to explore the dangers of diving in remote locations without any added safety measures. The movie involves problem-solving and flashbacks to the sister’s childhood getting into the hobby. Louisa Krause brings an unbelievably natural calm to her performance. While Sophie Lowe shows us the inside panic she is dealing with.

Over the recent years, we have seen a lot of movies with somebody trapped in or on the water being hunted by a predator. In this movie, we get to keep the situation down to the accident and the idea of trying to figure out a way out of the situation. This creates an edge-of-your-seat journey that keeps us wanting to see the next challenge they are facing. Think 127 Hours meets 47 Metres Down and you know exactly what you are facing.

The Dive is tense, suspenseful and gets the blood pumping as we join the race to survive.

Rating 4/5

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Dune: Part Two Where Will The Anticipated Premiere Land?

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Dune: Part Two is one of the most hyped movie releases for 2023. The latest announcement from the project, is that it will not premiere at the Venice Film Festival, unlike the first movie. This is due to the Visual Effects (VFX) team needing more time, which has prolonged the initial release date. Originally scheduled for 20th October 2023, “Dune: Part Two” will now be released November 3, 2023.

Dune: Part Two will see the return of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgard, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Charlotte Rampling. In addition to the new cast members Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux, Christopher Walken, and Tim Blake Nelson.

The immediate successor to the 2021 film, it will be the second installment of a two-part film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune, and will cover approximately the second half of the book and possibly include aspects of Dune Messiah.

Dune 2021, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya | Warner Bros. [Credit: Alamy Stock Photo]

The sequel will follow Paul Atreides (Chalamet) as he joins forces with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen to exact vengeance on the villains who murdered his family. Faced with a decision between the love of his life and the destiny of the universe, he attempts to avert a dreadful future that only he can predict.

Dune premiered at Venice Film Festival two years ago, followed by Toronto, New York and London Film Festivals. There is a possibility for the film to still premiere at other film festivals such as London Film Festival which will also run from 4th October to 15th October 2023. This also doesn’t mean the cast may not be present at the Venice Film Festival.

While Challengers starring: Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor directed by Luca Guadagnino announced a UK release on 15th September 2023,  the aim is perhaps do an initial premiere at Venice Film Festival. There is also potential of Wonka (2023) premiering at the Venice Film Festival despite the viral online leak of the trailer two weeks ago and announcing its UK release on 15th December 2023.

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Philadelphia Film Festival Announces 31st Festival Lineup | Tickets Available Now

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Now that the NYFF is winding down, it’s about time for the regional film festivals to begin heating up as the awards season begins. The 31st Philadelphia Film Festival — which I am thrilled to be covering — will begin on October 19 and will commence on October 30. With some of the year’s best major releases that are set to come later this year and in 2023 and all of the indie darlings, the Philadelphia Film Festival is one you won’t to miss if you can make it. First, I will highlight a number of the films I have seen or am dying to see at the festival and you can see a full list of the titles below.

The full Festival schedule and digital Festival Program Guide are available now on www.filmadelphia.org/festival.

Screenings for the 31st Philadelphia Film Festival will take place at the below venues: 

●    Philadelphia Film Center (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102)

●    PFS Bourse (400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106)

●    PFS East (125 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 – Formerly Ritz East) 

Tickets are on sale now.


31st Philadelphia Film Festival Full Line-up

 Part of the PFS on Us Complimentary Tickets Initiative

Opening Night Film

○    The Banshees of Inisherin, Director Martin McDonagh. 2022, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA.

Closing Night Film

○    All The Beauty And The Bloodshed, Director Laura Poitras. 2022, USA. 

Centerpieces

○    Armageddon Time, Director James Gray. 2022, USA, Brazil.

○    Empire of Light, Director Sam Mendes. 2022, United Kingdom, USA.

○    Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Director Rian Johnson. 2022, USA.

○    The Inspection, Director Elegance Bratton. 2022, USA.    

○    She Said, Director Maria Schrader. 2022, USA.

○    Till, Director Chinonye Chukwu. 2022, USA.

○    The Whale, Director Darren Aronofsky. 2022, USA.

○    White Noise, Director Noah Baumbach. 2022, USA.          

○    Women Talking, Director Sarah Polley. 2022, USA.    

Special Events

○    An Evening with Dream Video Divisonᐩ 

○    Magic Mike XXL, Director Gregory Jacobs. 2015, USA.      

○    RRR, Director S.S. Rajamouli. 2022, India.

Masters of Cinema – The latest films by a new generation of acclaimed auteurs and established directors who continue to reshape the cinematic landscape.

○    A Compassionate Spy, Director Steve James. 2022, USA. 

○    All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Director Laura Poitras. 2022, USA.

○    Broker, Director Hirokazu Kore-eda. 2022, South Korea. 

○    Brother and Sister, Director Arnaud Desplechin. 2022, France.

○    Decision to Leave, Director Park Chan-wook. 2022, South Korea.

○    EO, Director Jerzy Skolimowski. 2022, Poland, United Kingdom, Italy.  

○    One Fine Morning, Director Mia Hansen-Løve. 2022, France, United Kingdom, Germany.

○    R.M.N., Director Cristian Mungiu. 2022, Belgium, France, Romania.

Spotlights – This year’s highly anticipated titles featuring some of the biggest names in front of and behind the camera.

○    Alice, Darling, Director Mary Nighy. 2022, Canada, USA.

○    Call Jane, Director Phyllis Nagy. 2022, USA.

○    Causeway, Director Lila Neugebauer. 2022, USA

○    The Lost King, Director Stephen Frears. 2022, United Kingdom.

○    Lynch/Oz, Director Alexandre O. Philippe. 2022, USA.

○    “Sr.”, Director Chris Smith. 2022, USA.

○    Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb, Director Lizzie Gottlieb. 2022, USA.

○    Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Eric Appel. 2022, USA.

World View – Works that demonstrate the diversity and vitality of contemporary international cinema from some of the globe’s most exciting filmmakers.

○    A E I O U – A Quick Alphabet of Love, Director Nicolette Krebitz. 2022, Germany, France.

○    Aftersun, Director Charlotte Wells. 2022, United Kingdom, USA.

○    Alcarràs, Director Carla Simón. 2022, Spain, Italy.

○    The Beasts, Director Rodrigo Sorogoyen. 2022, Spain, France.

○    Before I Change My Mind, Director Trevor Anderson. 2022, Canada.ᐩ 

○    Before, Now & Then, Director Kamila Andini. 2022, Indonesia.

○    The Blue Caftan, Director Maryam Touzani. 2022, France, Morocco, Belgium, Denmark.

○    The Box, Director Lorenzo Vigas. 2021, Mexico, USA.

○    Boy from Heaven, Director Tarik Saleh. 2022, Sweden, France, Finland.

○    Burning Days, Director Emin Alper. 2022, Turkey, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Greece, Croatia.

○    Close, Director Lukas Dhont. 2022, Belgium, Netherlands, France.

○    Corsage , Director Marie Kreutzer. 2022, Austria.

○    Falcon Lake, Director Charlotte Le Bon. 2022, Canada, France.

○    Holy Spider, Director Ali Abbasi. 2022, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France.

○    Leonor Will Never Die, Director Martika Ramirez Escobar. 2022, Philippines.

○    The Line, Director Ursula Meier. 2022, Switzerland, France, Belgium.

○    Love Life, Director Kôji Fukada. 2022, Japan, France.

○    Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Director Antonio Lukich. 2022, Ukraine.

○    Millie Lies Low, Director Michelle Savill. 2021, New Zealand.

○    Oink, Director Mascha Halberstad. 2022, Netherlands.

○    Pamfir, Director Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk. 2022, Ukraine, France, Poland, Germany, Chile.    

○    Return to Dust, Li Ruijun. 2022, China.

○    Subtraction, Director Mani Haghighi. 2022, Iran, France.

○    Viking, Director Stéphane Lafleur. 2022, Canada.

○    Xalé, Director Moussa Sene Absa. 2022, Senegal, Ivory Coast.

Non/Fiction – Compelling and provocative, these contemporary docs encourage viewers to see the world through a different lens.

○    American Pain, Director Darren Foster. 2022, USA.

○    Butterfly in the Sky, Director Bradford Thomason, Director Brett Whitcomb. 2022, USA.

○    Chop & Steele, Director Ben Steinbauer, Director Berndt Mader. 2022, USA.

○    Crows Are White, Director Ahsen Nadeem. 2022, USA, Japan, Ireland.

○    Good Night Oppy, Director Ryan White. 2022, USA.

○    Nothing Lasts Forever, Director Jason Kohn. 2022, USA.

○    The Picture Taker, Director Phil Bertelsen. 2022, USA.

○    Tantura , Director Alon Schwarz. 2022, Israel, USA.

○    The Thief Collector, Director Allison Otto. 2022, USA.

○    The YouTube Effect, Director Alex Winter. 2022, USA.

After Hours – Bringing together the odd, eerie, thrilling, and downright weird, this is the home of cult classics in the making.

○    Attachment, Director Gabriel Bier Gislason. 2022, Denmark.

○    Christmas Bloody Christmas, Director Joe Begos. 2022, USA.         

○    Huesera, Director Michelle Garza Cervera. 2022, Mexico, Peru.

○    Kids vs. Aliens, Director Jason Eisener. 2022, USA. 

○    Mister Organ, Director David Farrier. 2022, New Zealand.

○    Sick, Director John Hyams. 2022, USA.    

○    Sick of Myself, Director Kristoffer Borgli. 2022, Norway, Sweden.

○    Smoking Causes Coughing, Director Quentin Dupieux. 2022, France.

From the Vaults – Film classics come alive as they were meant to be seen – on the big screen!

○    A Confucian Confusion, Director Edward Yang. 1994, Taiwan.

○    Orlando, Director Sally Potter. 1992, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, France, Netherlands.ᐩ 

●    30th Anniversary

○    Pink Flamingos, Director John Waters. 1972, USA.

●    50th Anniversary

○    Rittenhouse Square, Director Robert Downey Sr. 2005, USA.

●    Presented in 35MM

○    Sorcerer, Director William Friedkin. 1977, USA.

●    Presented in 35MM

●    45th Anniversary

Filmadelphia – Showcasing the most dynamic and talented voices from the Greater Philadelphia area.

○    A Woman on the Outside, Director Lisa Riordan Seville, Director Zara Katz. 2022, USA.

○  Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit, Director Sam Katz, Director James McGovern. 2022, USA.

○    Land of Gold, Director Nardeep Khurmi. 2022, USA.

○    Not for Nothing, Director Tim Dowlin, Director Frank Tartaglia. 2022, USA.

○    Rittenhouse Square, Director Brandon Eric Kamin. 2022, USA.

○    This Is My Black, Director Stephen Adetumbi, Director Jarrett Roseborough. 2022, USA.

○    Your Friend, Memphis, Director David P. Zucker. 2022, USA, Italy.

Made in USA – Lo-fi gems and new indie classics that offer a fresh perspective on today’s America.

○    Blood Relatives, Director Noah Segan. 2022, USA.

○    Every Day in Kaimukī, Director Alika Tengan. 2022, USA.ᐩ 

○    Nanny, Director Nikyatu Jusu. 2022, USA.

○    Next Exit, Director Mali Elfman. 2022, USA.

○    Something in the Dirt, Director Justin Benson, Director Aaron Moorhead. 2022, USA.

Cinema de France – Sharing a language with some of cinema’s most revered classics and legendary auteurs, these new films have that certain je ne sais quoi.

○    Five Devils, Director Léa Mysius. 2022, France.

○    Forever Young, Director Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. 2022, France.

○    The Innocent, Director Louis Garrel. 2022, France.

○    The Night of the 12th, Director Dominik Moll. 2022, France, Belgium.      

○    The Passengers of the Night, Director Mikhaël Hers. 2022, France.

○    Return to Seoul, Director Davy Chou. 2022, France, Germany, Belgium, Qatar.

○    Rodeo, Director Lola Quivoron. 2022, France.

Green Screen – In Honor of the Philadelphia Film Society’s inaugural year producing the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival, introducing Green Screen. From animal welfare to the effects of climate change, these thought-provoking films address urgent environmental issues.

○    All That Breathes, Director Shaunak Sen. 2002, India, United Kingdom, USA.ᐩ 

○    How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Director Daniel Goldhaber. 2022, USA.

○    Rebellion, Director Maia Kenworthy, Director Elena Sanchez Bellot. 2021, United Kingdom.

○    The Smell of Money, Director Shawn Bannon. 2022, USA.ᐩ 

Sight & Soundtrack – Featuring rockumentaries, musician biopics, and films centered on the unifying power of music.

○    Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues, Director Sacha Jenkins. 2022, USA.

○    Meet Me in the Bathroom, Director Will Lovelace, Director Dylan Southern. 2022, United Kingdom.

○    Rebel, Director Adil El Arbi, Director Bilall Fallah. 2022, Belgium, Luxembourg, France.

○    The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlisle, Director Kathlyn Horan. 2022, USA.

○    Taurus, Director Tim Sutton. 2022, USA.         

State of the Union – Stories of some of the most significant figures and events in American politics and diplomacy, which continue to shape the future of the nation’s democracy.

○    Boycott , Director Julia Bacha. 2021, USA.ᐩ 

○    The Exiles, Director Ben Klein, Director Violet Columbus. 2022, USA, Taiwan, France, China.ᐩ 

○    The Grab, Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. 2022, USA.ᐩ 

○    Loudmouth, Director Josh Alexander. 2022, USA.ᐩ 

○    Retrograde, Director Matthew Heineman. 2022, USA.ᐩ 

○    Shouting Down Midnight, Director Gretchen Stoeltje. 2022, USA.ᐩ 

Short Films 

○    A Short Story, Director Bi Gan.

○    Beware of Trains, Director Emma Calder.

○    Bump, Director Maziyar Khatam.

○    The Cave, Director Kim Jinman, Director Chon Jiyoung.

○    Chaperone, Director Sam Max.

○    Craze, Director Bianka Szelestey.

○    Deerwoods Deathtrap, Director James P. Gannon.

○    Five Cents, Director Aaron Hughes.

○    The Flying Sailor, Director Wendy Tilby, Director Amanda Forbis.

○    Goodbye Jérôme!, Director Adam Sillard, Director Gabrielle Selnet, Director Chloé Farr.

○    I (heart) Jack LaLanne: A Cartoon Memoir, Director LeAnn Erickson.

○    Ice Merchants, Director João Gonzalez.

○  It Feels Personal, Director Hugh Clegg.

○    Kylie, Director Master Sterling.

○    Le Pupille, Director Alice Rohrwacher.

○    Long Line of Ladies, Director Rayka Zehtabchi, Director Shaandiin Tome.

○    Meal on the Plate, Director Chenglin Xie.

○    Memnon, Director Cameron Clay.

○    Persona, Director Moon Sujin.

○    Ro & the Stardust, Director Eunice Levis.

○    She Got Balls!, Director Cheryl Hess.

○    Something in the Garden, Director Marcos Sánchez.

○    The Stand, Director Andrew Bilindabagabo.

○    Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver, Director Lewie Kloster, Director Noah Kloster.

○    Tank Fairy, Director Erich Rettstadt.

○    Warsha, Director Dania Bdeir.

○    Zoon, Director Jonatan Schwenk.


Please see individual film listings, screening schedule and guests anticipated to attend on https://filmadelphia.org/festival.

The 31st Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including AKA and  iHeartMedia.

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