Exam
Why It’s Great: It makes your GCSEs look like a breeze. In Stuart Hazeldine’s debut, eight nameless bods are put into a room and must answer just one question in 80 minutes. Only problem is, they don’t know the question. It’s similar to Cube in its micro-budget, one-setting conceit, but has a fair few of its own tricks up its sleeve.
Out On DVD: Now
Humpday
Why It’s Great: Two old friends meet up for the first time in years and decide to have sex together on camera in order to enter an art movie contest. Neither of the chaps particularly wants to do it, but now that the idea’s been floated, neither wants to be the first to back out. Mostly improvised and shot on the fly, Humpday sounds awful, but surprises with its hilarious, touching delivery.
Out On DVD: Now
Treeless Mountain
Why It’s Great: Quiet and restrained, this offering from Korea is as minimalist as they come. But its tale of two sisters dumped on their alcoholic aunt by their erstwhile mother is gently moving and gives a brilliant child’s eye view of life.
Out On DVD: Now
Food, Inc
Why It’s Great: Another hard-hitting nature documentary, this one showing us just how awful the US food industry is. Naturally, it’s the big buck corporations who get it in the neck, as Robert Kenner reveals the way things work behind the scenes. If you ever felt like kicking that McDonalds habit, a sure-fire way to do so would be to check out this shock-doc.
Out On DVD: Now
Anonyma
Why It’s Great: Countless films have already been made about WWII, but few – maybe none – have so fearlessly taken on the awful subject of the mass rape of Berlin women by Russian soldiers. Intense and emotional, Max Färberböcks drama follows a Nazi who allies herself with a Red Army officer in order to escape the clutches of the troops. Intelligent, gripping filmmaking.
Out On DVD: Now
