Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
Review: “Once Upon a Time in Venezuela” Is an Immersive Dive Into a Vanishing Village
BY Kieran Davey
Anabel Rodríguez Ríos's documentary "Once Upon A Time In Venezuela" beautifully depicts a village that offers a microcosmic view of Venezuela's broader political challenges.
Review: “La Flor de la Vida” Provides an Intimate Look into the Socially Isolated Lives of the Elderly
BY Kieran Davey
Uruguayan documentary "La Flor de la Vida" explores the joys and sorrows of aging through intimate interviews and home video footage.
Review: “Monos” Masterfully Depicts War’s Effects On Colombia’s Children
BY Oscar Harding
The Oscar-snubbed Colombian war movie "Monos" is a stunning, transcendent expression of cinema in its purest form.
Review: “Pájaros de Verano” Offers a Fresh Perspective on the Colombian Narco Movie
BY Kieran Davey
"Pájaros de verano" ("Birds of Passage") offers a more nuanced and authentic take on Colombia's drug trade.
Authentically Mexican, “Roma” Is Different From Other Hollywood Foreign Language Darlings
BY Kieran Davey
How "Roma" departs from other Hollywood foreign language darlings like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
The Fourth Amigo: Why Emmanuel Lubezki Is One of Today’s Best Cinematographers
BY Kieran Davey
Three-time Oscar winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki is the silent force behind many amazing films—like "Children of Men" and "The Revenant".
Interview: “En el Séptimo Día” Director Jim McKay Discusses The Cultural Mosaic of New York City
BY Leo Schwartz
"En el Séptimo Día" director Jim McKay discusses how he went about making a film so different from his own lived experience.
Interview: “Nossa Chape” Directors Jeff and Michael Zimbalist Discuss How Communities Rebuild After Tragedy
BY Leo Schwartz
The directors of "Nossa Chape" discuss their documentary, and the power of sport in recovering from national tragedies.
Review: Documentary “Nossa Chape” Explores the Transcendent Nature of Sports
BY Leo Schwartz
After a tragic plane crash, the Chapecoense football club rebuilds in this documentary about the societal impact of sports.
Review: “A Fantastic Woman” Earns Its Best Foreign Film Nomination
BY Leo Schwartz
A Fantastic Woman, Chile's entry for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars, is a beautiful and heartbreaking drama about a trans woman dealing with the...