The Inhuman Gaze of “Evil Does Not Exist” The Inhuman Gaze of “Evil Does Not Exist”
Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s new film, an eco-thriller set in a sylvan Japanese town, explores the messy entanglements of human, machine, and nature that make up planetary existence.
Jun 13, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen
Christian Petzold’s “Afire” Is the Summer’s Most Beguiling Film Christian Petzold’s “Afire” Is the Summer’s Most Beguiling Film
The German director’s latest is a sly comedy about writer’s block, a bad vacation, and the catastrophe of a warming world.
Aug 29, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen
Were We All Wrong About “Tár”? Were We All Wrong About “Tár”?
What made the movie both striking and dubious was somewhat overlooked in the initial critical fervor.
Dec 13, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen
The Grotesque and Sublime Transformations of “Titane” The Grotesque and Sublime Transformations of “Titane”
Julia Ducournau’s surreal horror film is a harrowing exploration of the body and technology.
Oct 7, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen
A Salacious Press, an Unchecked Government: Heinrich Böll’s Prescient Fiction A Salacious Press, an Unchecked Government: Heinrich Böll’s Prescient Fiction
A 1975 film adaptation of his novel The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum looks how fragile freedom is under democracy.
Dec 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen
Kelly Reichardt’s Anti-Capitalist Vision of Frontier America Kelly Reichardt’s Anti-Capitalist Vision of Frontier America
Her latest film, First Cow, challenges the myths of Americana by telling the stories of peripheral, ordinary figures.
Mar 18, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Phoebe Chen
What Does Hollywood Lose When It Works With China? What Does Hollywood Lose When It Works With China?
They may fight over censorship and trade, but the biggest players all want the same thing: movies that make as much money as possible.
Mar 3, 2020 / Phoebe Chen