Sundance FF2023 – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

TWICE COLONIZED (Sundance FF2023)- Review by Leslie Combemale

January 30, 2023February 5, 2023 Leslie Combemale aaju peter, artic, canada, danish films, documentaries, greenland, indigenous rights, inuit, lin alluna, Sundance FF2023

Lin Alluna’s documentary follows Greenlandic indigenous rights advocate AAju Peter as she reveals herself to viewers in authentic ways that are inspiring and engaging. She is, after all, just one woman, yet powerful enough to demand realignment and reconsideration of what roles we play in perpetuating colonial mentality. Peter said of herself, “We were born into straightjackets. In my own living, why am I continuing the mentality of straightjacket living?” Everyone could and should be asking the same question, as it relates to not only indigenous rights, but every aspect of how we exist together in society.

Festivals Reviews

MY ANIMAL (Sundance FF2023) – Review by Nadine Whitney

January 29, 2023 Nadine Whitney Amandla Stenberg, Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Jacqueline Castel, Jae Matthews, lycanthropy, My Animal, Sundance FF2023

What lets My Animal down is Jae Matthews’ script which meanders in too many directions and engages in a kind of fatalism that feeds into queer misery. Despite the strong central performances, technically accomplished direction, and an excellent soundtrack, My Animal doesn’t quite know what its central thesis is. Is it worse that Heather is a lesbian in a small community, or is it worse that she’s an actual mythical monster? If she becomes open about her sexuality does she unleash a beast?