Mar17

I’ve no idea if that painting (American Gothic) was an influence on new kid on the horror butcher block Nicolas Pesce’s ‘The Eyes of My Mother’ (2016) but the parents in this horrific pastoral tale bare such a striking resemblance to the painting,

We are also told who our heroes are, or at least who should be according to said media, using these so called noble bastions of excellence to dictate our moral barometers and aspirations. But now and again this control is swept away in the winds of reality, which can blow gently, or storm strong.

At the beginning of the (deservedly) Oscar winning ‘The Salesman’ (2016) by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (who also won an Oscar in 2011 for ‘A Separation’) we see an empty forlorn bed as part of a stage set for a local theatre group’s rendition of ‘Death of A Salesman’ by Arthur Miller.

A week or so prior to the documentary I saw the brilliantly made and very enjoyable ‘Get Out’ (2017) directed by Jordan Peele. It’s his first time behind the camera, but he’s a highly established and rightly well loved American comedian as part of the sketch show ‘Key & Peele’, both of whom had a very funny turn in last years delight ‘Keanu’ (2016).

Naoko Yamada’s chosen method of contributing to the further betterment of mankind (hopefully forever) is through the medium of anime, with her latest being the incredibly beautiful ‘A Silent Voice’ (2016).

I’ve always been a big fan of indie film company Oscilloscope Laboratories founded by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch and A24 founder David Fenkel. Every time their very distinct logo pops up in the opening credits of a film you know you’re going to be presented with something wonderfully idiosyncratic, unique and rewarding.