AU REVOIR LT
This familial drama by Japanese writer/director Kji Fukada brings to mind the work of French New Waver Eric Rohmer. Action is slight, emotions simmer and the plot is as gentle as the waves that lap on the nearby shore. Translated as Farewell To Summer, its characters are fortysomething writer/translator Mikie (Mayu Tsuruta) and her niece Sakuko (Fumi Nikaid), plus old flames and potential love interests. Most interesting is Takashi (Taiga), a refugee from the Fukushima nuclear accident, but Fukada has little interest in exploring that topic. Mildly diverting but visually unadventurous. Director: Koji Fukada Starring: Fumi Nikaido, Mayu Tsuruta, Taiga, Kanji Furutachi, Kiki Sugino Theatrical release: 24 April 2015 James Mottram
EXIT
Little happens, less is said, but theres a heartfelt sensitivity about former DoP Chienn Hsiangs empathetic portrait of a midlife crisis that pulls you in regardless. Chen Shiang-chyi carries its load as a seamstress mum facing early menopause. With no social life, she fantasises about dance lessons and, while visiting her mother-in-law in hospital, develops an interest in a wounded young man with bandaged eyes. Nothing overt happens but, as she gently washes his face and chest, Hsiang and Chen hint at worlds of feeling beneath a little-noticed womans surface poise.Director: Hsinag Chienn Starring: Shiang-Chyi Chen, Ming-Hsiang Tung Theatrical release: 24 April 2015 Kevin Harley
TEA & SANGRIA
Unfolding at the pace of a glacier forming, indie romcom Tea & Sangria follows David (writer-director Peter Domankiewicz), a hapless Englishman whose romantic move to Madrid goes wrong when his relationship falls apart, leaving him single in a foreign land. Cultural differences are well-observed but everyman David is neither romantic nor funny enough to engage. Its all too languid, its anti-plot script and low-budget, documentary-style direction giving the impression of watching someone elses holiday video. Still, Madrid looks nice. Director: Peter Domankiewicz Starring: Peter Domankiewicz, ngela Boix, Daniel Albaladejo Theatrical release: 24 April 2015 Stephen Kelly
THE DORKELS
On the eve of 18-year-old gypsy Jasons (Jason Franois) baptism, older half-brother Fred (Frdric Dorkel) arrives back in their community in Northern France after a 15-year prison sentence for killing a policeman. Not only does Fred not give a damn about society, hes already mixed up in a plot to rob a used-copper truck. Should Jason keep his head down, or go along for the ride? The latter, of course! A wild blend of documentary-style expos and grizzled noir, director Jean-Charles Hues drama comes on like a Gallic Mean Streets, featuring great naturalistic turns from its amateur cast. Director: Jean-Charles Hue Starring: Frdric Dorkel, Jason Franois, Michael Dauber Theatrical release: 25 April 2015 Ali Catterall
