If you'd like to see a great dramatic performance, check out the work of Marta Nieto, in the slow-burning psychological drama MADRE. Based on director Rodrigo Sorogoyen's Oscar-nominated short film - which forms the beginning of this feature - the story begins in a moment of escalating tension for a mother who cannot locate her six-year-old son, and then jumps ahead ten years where it picks up the mother's story. The movie is impeccably filmed and acted and confirms Sorogoyen's reputation as one of Spain's brightest young talents. "It is undeniable that Sorogoyen is a master filmmaker." -Hollywood Reporter
Both MADRE and THE DONUT KING, streaming this Friday are rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Like the Port Townsend Film Festival, Austin's fabled SXSW festival ran online rather than in person this year. The nonfiction jury in Austin gave first-time director Alice Gu's THE DONUT KING special jury recognition for achievement in documentary storytelling.
The titular donut king is 77-year-old Ted Ngoy, who has attained mythic status among many Cambodian Americans in Los Angeles and Orange County since his arrival in the U.S. more than four decades ago. The sponsor of more than 100 refugee families, Ngoy is almost single-handedly responsible for his compatriots' domination of mom and pop donut shops in Southern California, of which 80% were owned by Cambodians by the mid-1990s. The ups and downs of Ngoy's life are extraordinary, and Gu's telling of it is thoughtful and honest. [Director Alice] "Gu does stellar work." - The Austin Chronicle
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Now Streaming Through The Rose Theatre Film Library
AGGIE - "Catherine Gund's AGGIE is both a celebration of an extraordinary woman, and a call to arms for the viewer to think about how they too can enact change." -Seventh Row
RBG - "Her determination and self-belief are inspiring." -London Evening Standard
AI WEIWEI: YOURS TRULY - "For those who attended the Alcatraz exhibit, the film serves as a souvenir of your visit. For those who didn't, here's what you missed." -San Francisco Chronicle
Cider & Cinema: Each week Finnriver will be pairing one of their wonderful, delicious ciders with one of our streaming movies. For information on their weekly pairings, please visit their Instagram page.
Pop-up popcorn on sale this Saturday, October 31st, 2:00-5:00
Cinematically yours,
Rocky