Keep up to date on the latest in Film, TV and Music with reviews from anfa collective
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Fastnet Film Festival – Festival Review
From diverse short films, to celebrity sightings, Amy recounts her weekend spent at Fastnet Film Festival in Schull, county Cork and all the wonderful events they run annually.
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Apathy in Profit – The Eurovision and Neutrality
“In 2022, the EBU set a precedent for repercussion and political standing by indefinitely banning Russia from participating or broadcasting the contest after their invasion of Ukraine… In this simple decision to ban, the EBU opened themselves up to the responsibility of being politically steadfast and answerable (…) they had just willingly consented to partake…
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“Is it the story about the little girl who lived down the lane?”: Looking Back At David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
“While the Twin Peaks saga is shrouded in subjective, vague, and at times even duplicitous or deceptive allegories, one of its more immediate core themes is “the evil that men do”, as Agent Cooper’s colleague Albert puts it when trying to come to terms with the idea of Bob, and The Return doesn’t stray from…
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Memecoins, Shitcoins and Good Old Fashioned Scam Artists
Adam dives into the world of cryptocurrency, how it’s taking place as the new setting for running scams, and it’s place in modern politics.
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Irish Music Groups and Pushing the Language – IMLÉ
“In the current climate of interest in Irish culture and history, Irish language is something we want more of. Now is the time for actual Irish speakers to get their chance at the front and centre so we aren’t left with the bastardized, multi-dialectal carry-on that I learnt in school on the East coast.” Adelaide…
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“Pink Parts” – Interview
Iveta sits down in conversation with Alicky Hess and Tessa Walsh about their play “Pink Parts”, that premiered at SCENE + HEARD festival.
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The Blessing and the Curse of Sisterhood in Ariane Labed’s “September Says”
“Their co-dependency doesn’t seem to be a natural occurrence, but an artificially maintained state by both parties, leading to that unhealthy symbiotic lifestyle… Their mother seems to be another factor since while physically present, she’s still somehow distant. In fact, September’s behaviour towards the young July seems to mirror the way their mum treats September…
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All We Imagine As Light – film review
“Prabha and Anu have a very meaningful relationship in this film. They care for each other, they sometimes resent each other, and they learn from each other. One of the reasons that this film resonated with me is that it highlights the importance of community among women of all ages. It encourages us to lift…
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How “The Brutalist” Lectures us in Beauty among Banality
“This energetic beginning sets the tone for the waxing and waning narrative throughout. The film goes from intense to lackadaisical in a heartbeat, representative of the fact that László Tóth is a man who has opportunity presented and snatched from him in quick succession, a symptom of the falsely idyllic, capitalistic society that history tells…
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A Real Pain – Film Review
“Eisenberg’s direction is an oddity. He understands the importance of lingering at peculiar points, to allow breaths and growth throughout his scenes… It’s the simplicity and uniqueness of these directing choices that allow Eisenberg to open up his characters in rare ways.” Michael talks about Oscar-nominated film from Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain.
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Yurmah’s at the Graveyard, Making a Storm
“The band’s at the stage where it’s all do-it-yourself, and figure-it-out yourself. It’s a double-edged sword; more work outside of the music itself, but retaining as much autonomy as possible.” Katie talks about growing band, Yurmah.
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Bring Them Down – Film Review
“The nonlinear narrative structure allows to explore Abbott and Keoghan’s characters’ inner world separately while adding some more depth , yet it makes it slightly disjointed. This leads to the pacing dragging at times, however it never loses the attention of the audience because of the constant tense build-up of sombre ambiance.” Iveta reviews Bring…
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The Misunderstanding of Squid Game and The Double Down That is Squid Game 2
“[Dong-Hyuk] is aware that much of his own audience have missed the point of the first season completely. The actual games this season are less central to the plot, Dong-Hyuk instead deciding to focus on conversations around class solidarity and free will of the broken masses.” Adam delves into the second season of international hit,…
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Anna Kendrick’s Precise and Empathetic Direction Redefines the True Crime Thriller
“In a world where detailed descriptions of gender-based violence are wherever we turn, she understands that there is absolutely no need to excessively depict brutality in these scenes… Kendrick lets the audience witness them from unexpected perspectives, successfully avoiding over-sensationalism of the crimes.” Zuzana discusses directorial debut from Anna Kendrick, Woman of the Hour.
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Queer – Film Review
“Guadagnino offers an extremely fascinating interpretation of Burroughs’ deeply personal tale, until he begins to diverge from his source material…” FIonn gives us a review of Luca Guadagnino’s Queer.
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We Live in Time- Film Review
“We Live in Time is fresh, fun, and ferociously emotional. It asks a very serious question, what would you do, and how would you live if you knew your time was limited? What I admire about this film is that it acknowledges that the answer to that question isn’t always romantic.” Amy reviews John Crowley’s…
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Beating Hearts- Film Review
“It’s clear to see Lellouche cares so much as the film is wonderfully directed and there are many stand out scenes such as the dance sequence… representing the inner world of both Clotaire and Jackie once they realise their feelings are mutual.” Ivie reviews Beating Hearts which played at the IFI’s French FIlm Festival.
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The All or Nothing Approach From Online Commentators Defies Any Semblance of Political Reasoning
“During the campaign, these online activists were begrudged to have to support Sinn Féin to form a left wing government. Now they are adamant all left wing parties must sit tight on the opposition benches, handing Fianna Fail and Fine Gael a centre right government mandate…” Adam Van Eekeren discusses online response to the Irish…