Directed by Italian native Luca Guadagnino, I am Love is set in Milan during the 1930s, a time of immense social and economic upheaval. It exposes the tumultuous relationship between members of a wealthy Italian family, those of which have been spurred by conflict surrounding the family business and complicated love affairs.

The film centres on character Emma, a Russian émigré who upon marrying into the wealthy Recchi family must ensure her mannerisms and appearance are of a high calibre. Throughout the film the audience witnesses Emma’s class struggle, which inevitably contribute to her passionate love affair with her son’s friend, who is evidently a much younger man.

The film addresses two primary themes – love and family conflict, yet it is the film’s mise en scene that ensures these two common themes take on a whole new life within the film. Highly stylised sets and extravagant costumes, along with emotion fuelled acting all combine to create a thoroughly heart wrenching film.

I am love was released in cinema’s on June 18.

From the outset Herbert Vogel, a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, appear to endure a rather simple existence. However, their passion for collecting Minimalist and Conceptual artworks, two forms that were generally dismissed by curators in the 1960s, illuminates their eye for identifying quality art. 

Herb and Dorothy is an inspiring, heart warming film that documents the art collecting practices of the couple from the 1960’s through to the early 1990s. The film offers a refreshing take on the practice of art collecting, whereby quality of craftsmanship rather than price is of the essence. This is especially clear when rather than sell off their 2000 piece collection boasting the likes of Chuck Close, Lynda Benglish and Lucio Pozzi, Herb and Dorothy donate it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC for the general public to enjoy. 

The film was released in 2008, and is available at all good video stores.

Tom Ford – well respected fashion designer celebrated for his stunning collections for luxury fashion houses including Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Tom Ford – filmmaker?

Yes, you heard right, Tom Ford has decided to pursue the world of filmmaking. Ford’s self-financed debut film, A Single Man, recounts a day in the life of British college professor George Falconer, who is mourning the loss of his lover in a horrific car accident. Set in America in 1962, the film addresses themes of forbidden love, loss, friendship and hope.

Touching and educational, A Single Man is available for viewing in limited release only; however, the film’s positive reception amongst film critics and spectators alike will hopefully prompt its wider release over the next few months. We will keep you posted!!!

Described by many as an anti-musical, Lars von Trier’s film Dancer in the Dark (2000) tells the story of Selma, an Eastern European migrant living in America in the 1960s. If the typical Hollywood style musical bores you, but you enjoy a bit of satirical song and dance in your films, then Dancer in the Dark is a must see! The film tackles the hardships of everyday life such as poverty, untrustworthy friends and illness, yet simultaneously takes the viewer to a happier place through song and dance.

Dancer in the Dark is available to rent at all good video stores.

Often the film adaptation of a novel is never as good as the novel itself. Having never read the 1996 novel “Push” by Sapphire, I can’t tell you whether the recently released film “Precious” is better or worse. What I do know, is that this film about a black, sixteen year old, obese, illiterate Harlem girl, who lives in housing commission, and who is raped and impregnated by her father and abused by her mother, is not only confronting; but educational, heart wrenching and inspiring.

Precious is now showing at cinema’s everywhere.