Canadian horror film “Massacre Hour” and Italian historical drama “The Kidnapping of the Pope” are the main new releases on the bill
While cinemas are breaking box office records with animated blockbusters, this Thursday’s schedule (18/7) is slowing down with a selection of releases destined for the art circuit. Most of the week’s releases have a limited distribution, aimed at niche fans of European and Latino cinema, as well as documentary audiences. The exception is the independent horror “Hora do Massacre,” a slasher for the Ikea/TokStok generation, led by the Canadian trio RKSS. Discover all the previews.
TIME FOR MASSACRE
The new horror film from Canadian collective RKSS Film Collective (or Roadkill Superstars) follows a group of young environmental activists who decide to vandalize a furniture megastore as a form of protest against deforestation in the Amazon. However, the plan goes awry when they get trapped in the labyrinthine store and are chased by a deranged security guard who is an expert in ritualistic hunting. During their attempt to escape, the protagonists face situations of extreme violence and terror.
The victims of brutal murders are played by first-time actors. The best known are Turlough Convery (“Killing Eve”) and Benner O. Arthur (“Django”). In fact, the highlight belongs to the direction trio François Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell, who attracted attention with “Turbo Kid” in 2015, a stylized foray into 80s science fiction, set in the distant future. .. 1997 Now they delve into the terror experienced in “Summer of 84” (2018) with a visceral approach. The design retains its characteristic irony and adds an anti-capitalist subtext, unexpected twists and a break with the usual clichés of the slasher subgenre.
THE KIDNAPPING OF THE POPE
Veteran Italian director Marco Bellocchio, of the classic “I pugni chiusi” (1965) and the recent “Il traditore” (2019), directs the historical drama about Edgardo Mortara, a Jewish boy who was kidnapped in 1858 in Bologna, Italy. The order came from Pope Pius IX, after Edgardo was secretly baptized by his nanny. The film follows the desperate fight of Edgardo’s parents to get him back, facing resistance from the Vatican and growing public outrage.
The plot focuses on the political and religious consequences of the kidnapping, exploring how the event generated international controversy and debate over civil rights and the authority of the Church. Edgardo was forcibly taken to Rome, where he received a Catholic education, while his parents made several attempts, both legal and personal, to bring him home. The scandal became a symbol of the end of the authoritarian traditions of the Church.
Presented at the Cannes Film Festival, the work won the David di Donatello (the Italian Oscar) for best non-original screenplay, written by Bellocchio himself in collaboration with the director Susanna Nicchiarelli (“Nico, 1988”).
FUN
The French drama is based on the true story of Zahia Ziouani, a 17-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a conductor. Set in Paris in 1995, Zahia faces many challenges due to her humble origins and the prejudice of being the daughter of Algerian immigrants. Determined to make classical music accessible to all, Zahia, along with her twin sister Fettouma, who wants to become a professional cellist, decides to create an orchestra called Divertimento, composed of several musicians from their immigrant community.
For her inspiring and uplifting narrative, director Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar (“The Heirs”) delves into the world of classical music, without losing sight of Zahia’s struggle against social and cultural adversity to realize her dream. The cast includes Oulaya Amamra (“The Salt of Tears”) as Zahia Ziouani, Lina El Arabi (“The Eyes of the Desert”) as Fettouma, and veteran Niels Arestrup (“A Prophet”) as maestro Sergiu Celibidache, who serves as Zahia’s inspiration.
HACHIKO – FOREVER
The famous story of loyalty between a dog and his master promises to touch the hearts of audiences… once again. As the title makes clear, the film is based on the true story of Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog who waited for his deceased owner at the train station every day for a decade, between 1925 and 1935. The new version swaps the original setting for a contemporary China, but retains the essence of the story, which has already had several Japanese versions and an American one starring Richard Gere (“Forever by Your Side”) in 2007.
It is directed by Ang Xu (“12 Citizens”) and the cast includes Jugang Ba (“Mr. Six”), Joan Chen (“The Last Emperor”) and Xiaogang Feng (“Love to the Ashes”).
THE FISHERMAN’S DAUGHTER
The co-production between several Latin American film companies revolves around Samuel, the last freediver of grouper, who lives in isolation on the island of La Aguja. His life changes drastically when he receives an unexpected visit from his estranged son, who is now Priscila, a Colombian transsexual prostitute on the run from loan sharks. Despite his initial refusal to see his son return as a daughter, Samuel, bitter about the departure of his wife and son 15 years ago, allows Priscila to stay, but her presence is observed with strangeness by the other fishermen.
Directorial debut Edgar De Luque Jácome explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the complex dynamics between father and daughter in an isolated setting, juxtaposing the tranquility of island life with the characters’ internal conflicts.
GREECE
The protagonist is a young Brazilian woman who studies and works in Lisbon, Portugal. During a party for her Fine Arts class, she gets involved with Afonso, a mysterious man, and is accused of causing an accident during the event. Suspended and in need of renewing her residency permit, Greice must return to Fortaleza, her hometown in Brazil, where she tries to hide her family problems and deal with the emotional and cultural dilemmas caused by her return to her roots.
Co-produced between Brazil and Portugal, the work highlights the complexity of choices and the search for belonging, and earned Leonardo Mouramateus the trophy for best director at the IndieLisboa Festival. The film starring Amandyra (“Da Ponte para Lá”) also won the 13th edition of the Olhar de Cinema Festival, in Curitiba.
WHAT FALLS ON THE ROAD
The documentary follows the journey of Lilian, a single mother who decides to leave her homeland in Guatemala with her four young children, in search of a better life in the United States. Her journey is followed by two directors, Brazilian Danilo do Carmo (“Preto Tá na Moda”) and German Jakob Krese (“Home Sweet Home”), offering an intimate and realistic view of the challenges faced by migrants during the dangerous intercontinental migration. crossing – from traveling through areas controlled by criminal gangs to dependence on human traffickers. The film captures moments of tension and desperation, but also of hope and solidarity among migrants.
THE MUSIC OF NATURE BY LÉA FREIRE
The Brazilian documentary offers a poetic vision of the relationship between musician Léa Freire and nature. Directed by Lucas Weglinski, known for “Máquina do Desire – 60 Years of Teatro Oficina”, the film explores how nature inspires Freire’s musical creation, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation. The documentary uses interviews and performances in an attempt to materialize the artist’s creative process and aims to satisfy both music lovers and those interested in ecological issues.
BLUE BLOCK – NAGI EPISODE
The Japanese animation is based on the popular manga and anime “Blue Lock” about high school football players. This special episode focuses on Nagi Seishiro, offering fans of the series a nostalgic journey through the events of the first season, but from the perspective of the young prodigy, known for his extraordinary technical skill and easy-going attitude. The approach provides a fresh take on familiar events, captivating both new viewers and those who have followed the series.
The narrative begins by immersing viewers in the intense environment of Blue Lock, a rigorous training program designed to develop the world’s best striker. Nagi, talented but unenthusiastic, is thrust into this high-pressure environment where only the most dedicated succeed. The film traces her evolution from lazy genius to determined competitor as she faces training challenges and rivalries in new scenes and expanded moments that provide a deeper understanding of her journey.
The adaptation of the work by manga artists Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura is directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa, known for his work on “Sword Art Online,” and will appeal to both otaku and sports fans, thanks to its intense and realistic depiction of sports competition.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
