COMEDY: BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
This unapologetic ode to Bruce
Springsteen tells the story of a teenage boy
living in 1980s Luton whose life is
transformed by The Boss’ music. The film
equivalent of an over-zealous, bright-
eyed uni fresher, Blinded by the Light can
be a tad overbearing and sickeningly
saccharine, but if you’re a fan of old Bruce
(or Rob Brydon, for that matter), you
might just fall head over heels.DOCUMENTARY: HAIL
SATAN? If all you associate
Satanism with is virgin sacrifice
and upside-down crosses, you
might find yourself tickled and
upliftingly surprised watching
director Penny Lane’s new film,
Hail Satan? Following the
“nontheistic” religious group
from Salem, Massachusetts,
who call themselves “The
Satanic Temple”, the film traces
their speedy rise to prominence
and the many successful political rallies
and projects behind it, eg, getting a Ten
Commandments monument removed
from Oklahoma’s State Capitol. It’s a fun,self-deprecating and eye-opening
documentary that, at the very heart of it,
promotes equality, freedom of speech
and the importance of kindness.
Very diabolical indeed.119FILMS
DRAMA: THE SOUVENIR This
biographical drama from Joanna Hogg is
largely based on the director’s early years
as a film student in 1980s Britain. Quiet
and content in its simplicity, the film takes
pleasure in enigmatic sentiments,
unuttered emotions and a great retro
soundtrack. Our heroine is the good-
hearted but gullible Julie who falls for the
arrogant but infuriatingly charming
Anthony. As she grows increasingly
attached to him, he grows increasingly
dependent on her wealth
and generosity. It’s a
ponderous, moody
cocktail but do stick with
it—the rewards
are manifold.© DOGWOOF / ENTERTAINMENT ONE / CURZON ARTIFICIAL EYEby Eva Mackevic
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