The Forest For The Trees [Maren Ade, 2003] – UK Premiere

Here is a good example of something small scale that pays back big
time. Melanie is a socially awkward and fragile character, whose
enthusiasm is usually misplaced and smothering, but who we gradually
come to feel huge sympathy for. This intimate film may feature many
moments when we cringe at the ineptness of the character, but Eva
Loebau's finely balanced performance skilfully portrays Melanie's
humanity.

The strange and abrupt ending provides a perfect conclusion to the
film: beautiful but tragic.

Rhythm Is It! [Thomas Grube / Enrique Sanchez Lansch, 2004]

How can you resist that first long, melancholy note of The Rite of
Spring, hovering ominously in the air, then descending to some kind
of half resolution: powerful and profound. This documentary is all
about the power of art. Music has always been something life-
changing for me, but the revelation in this documentary is the power
of dance, and how in the film's story it brings together youngsters
from all backgrounds and gives them both purpose and self-knowledge.

This film is simply brilliant. From the extraordinary dance teacher -
Royston Maldoom – to the featured youngsters, to the always eloquent
Simon Rattle, you cannot help but feel inspired and uplifted. I was
moved to tears.

A must-see.

Silver City [John Sayles, 2004] – UK Premiere

A new Sayles film is always an event, so it was particularly exiting
to see the UK premiere of Silver City with the man himself in
attendance. As you would expect from Sayles, Silver City is a
characteristically intelligent look at political corruption in
America, with a character featured who is not a million miles away
from a certain bumbling president. Performances all round are very
strong, particularly Danny Huston, Chris Cooper and Richard
Dreyfuss. This will probably not be top of my list of Sayles films,
but nevertheless it's well worth watching.