This year, the Atlanta Film Festival took place virtually from 9/17-9/27. We’ll be providing our coverage of the event over the course of the next week, but you can definitely check out all of the highlights on the Atlanta Film Festival’s site here.
THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS
A riveting and emotionally raw drama about a marriage on the rocks and what the uncertainty of working it out can do to a man. Clayne Crawford gives a sublime performance as David, a father fuming over his wife Niki’s (Sepideh Moafi) new love interest (Chris Coy) as he’s hell-bent on keeping his family together. The unpredictability of what he may do next will keep viewers on edge.
From the opening scene, writer-director Robert Machoian has you in his grip and the ominous distress caused follows for the entirety of the film. He also presents a softer side, an honest and tender look at David and Niki as parents trying to protect their kids from feeling their own personal anguish and frustration their fractured relationship has placed upon their shoulders. The love that comes across so naturally gives hope it can conquer all within this ticking time bomb ready to explode.
CINEMA PAMEER
In its purest form, cinema is escapism where moviegoers wish to be entertained with no worries – if only for a couple of hours. That feeling is needed more than ever in Kabul, Afghanistan and Cinema Pameer is providing that safe haven from the tumultuous war going on right outside of its doors. Director Martin von Krogh goes behind the silver screen to show the inner-workings of a movie theater. We see what it means for those who work there – the boss, the manager, the general, the projectionist, the vendor – as well as the regulars and newcomers.
One of the more fascinating parts is the approval process of the films shown and their censoring. Not just the films but the posters too. Luckily, it’s nothing a Sharpie can’t fix. More so, it’s surprising and sort of comical to hear how movie theaters are viewed as an indecent place in their country. It’s so bad that the manager hasn’t even told his friends and family where he works!
But it’s the horror stories shared that knocks you back the most into the harsh reality of what they are living with in a culture where peace doesn’t feel fathomable. However, those at the Cinema Pameer won’t give up hope. This sensational documentary projects love of the movies and how the purpose of cinemas are undervalued and irreplaceable.
MORE ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL 2020 COVERAGE
ATLFF 2020 Recap: Part 1
Curtis, Movie Review
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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