Roger Costa

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THE GARDEN LEFT BEHIND Brazilian Director Flavio Alves' debut feature is an accomplished tale of compassion, transition and activism against transgender violence. A gorgeously shot and insightful transitional story, the film is a complex study on Tina, a taxi driver struggling with identity in New York City. She lives with her grandmother with whom she has a tender, very close relationship. Her grandmother accepts the way she is, though yet confused by the circumstances she insists on calling her "Antonio", her birth name. Tall, attractive and charismatic, Tina has a strong, firm presence in public, something that leads her to comfort those around her- inside her taxi, around the neighborhood, at the grocery store, hanging out with her girlfriends. She dates a Latino man for two years and they dream of her operation, as she enters she visits doctors to evaluate her condition. But things are more complicated. Her undocumented status doesn't favor her beneficial opportunities, such as a quality job to maintain her grandmother and fulfill her surgery needs. Director Flavio composes a precious, vibrant and highly emotional drama about finding your identity and fighting against violence. Brilliantly observed, he digs up her personal crisis (hormonal, professional, emotional), her financial and documental troubles as a master of storytelling, crafting an accurate, intimate and subtly erotic drama. On the other side of the community, the film attaches the intriguing and mysterious story of a bullied Grocery clerk, who is obviously a closet gay case, spending his free time hanging out and watching porn with a bunch of other losers. He has a creepy, deeply disturbing quiet behavior and becomes interested on Tina as she regularly shops at his working place. Massively awarded at many Festivals around the Globe and Winner of the Audience Award at SXSW, Writer-Director-Producer Alves also succeeds in both political comments: the negligence over the marginalized -Tina and her friends start an activist movement calling for rights as a trans named Rosie was brutally attacked by two cops- and immigration issues, Tina is still waiting for a chance to become legal in the country, in opposition to her grandmom's wish to return to their native Mexican gardens of the title. The relationships she develops is also masterly effective and tender: her devotion to her Grandmom, the trust and reliability on her girlfriends, the loyalty to her boyfriend, the intimate conversations with her much older analyst, her clients either at the taxi or the bar counter. Entirely efficient, well acted, uplifting and heart-moving, a new cinematic voice has been born.

Nature and cinema have always inspired or predicted each other in many ways. Ironically, sadly and scarily, writer-director Takashi Doscher's "futuristic sci-fi" is an accurate and timely account of our troubled on-going times and changing lives, as everyone, rich and poor, black and white, are being afflicted by the Coronavirus crisis. Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Tony-winning Leslie Odom Jr. (Harriet, the upcoming Hamilton) play a couple trying to survive a global plague targeting women. One of the last survivors, she remains hiding from authorities, as they seek a solution to re-populate Earth. She is unable to get pregnant, despite the many attempts with fertility technology. Their love support each other and maintain them in balance, but eventually they will risk everything in order to experience a bit of normalcy, unchaining from the quarantine and defying the obstacles, the hunting officials, and the mysteriously lethal ash storm, causing a virus that kills only women. Doscher proves incredible control with the material, creating a suspenseful thriller, punctuated by the brilliant editing, going back and forth in time to present the before, after and the current escape of the lovebirds. It opens with a knockout sequence, as a group of fully-armed guards, wearing protective gear and masks, unexpectedly enters the home of Eva and Will, looking to improve the quarantine rules and also hunting down women survivors. As a result, the couple decides to runaway, looking for a safer place to continue their journey and intense co-dependent love affair. The desperation and social conflict is captured with masterful techniques, setting up the narrative as a fast-pace and anxiously frenetic chasing-thriller. Unpredictable and coherent, the film presents through flashbacks idyllic moments of romance between the pair, their social activities and communion, as well as the initial impact caused by the contagion, the uncertainty and the unknown. During their escape, they stop at a diner, but her disguise is soon discovered and they are hunted by a couple of outlaws seeking to reproduce. They will do the unimaginable to overcome, including preparing for the worse and sacrificing some goals. Intense, bizarre, convincingly performed and well-structured, "Only" is an utterly important and alarming film for a crucial moment in humankind history.

A young woman reveals scandalous topics of her personal and professional life, as well as exploring confidential, intimate traumas of her stolen childhood and eventual promiscuous behavior. An Italian immigrant living in Germany, Eva is seeking for the meaning of life while working as a part-time model and full-time sex worker. She spends the holidays back home, making amends with her past, as she re-encounters her previously heroine-addicted mother, and other relatives. Winner of a Special Mention at CPH:DOX Awards, director Pia Hellenthal crafts a hypnotizing documentary, an observational and compassionate look at dysfunctional behavior, rebellion and resistance. Provocative, unashamed and enthusiastic, Hellenthal captures an essential portrait of this generation's quest for identity and fulfillment.

A masterly crafted political thriller set in 1979's communist East Germany, director Michael Herbig's suspenseful drama follows the desperate actions and courageous escape of two families, running from the pressures and horrors of Cold War, as they attempt to sail over the border in a homemade hot-air balloon. Winner of the Audience Choice Award at Heartland International Film Festival, the film centers on the strong bond and dedication of a father and mother, and their two sons. It also deeply observes the reactions over the children, creating a parallel story: the oldest one is living his first romance with the daughter of an official, while the youngest demonstrates conflicts with innocence and the acceptance of a divided nation. As they fail on their first risky attempt, they are forced to re-arrange their plans for a new balloon, while The Stasi speeds up an investigation, rapidly tracking them. Based on an adventurous true story, vividly performed by a convincing cast, especially Friedrich Mücke, as Peter Strelzyk the leader of the Balloon Operation, it's a triumphant family drama.

A multiple winner at Venice and nominated for the 2020 Oscars for Best International Film, Jan Komasa's intense, controversial drama depicts the personal conflicts of a young man battling the flesh against the spirit. Actor Bartosz Bielenia gives a fascinating, complex performance as Daniel, an ex-con who assumes a priest's identity right after he leaves a youth detention center. He becomes shelter for a wounded community, still grieving the loss of a few youngsters killed in a tragic accident. Daniel is gradually involved with his new persona, developing a strong bond with the residents as he puts in practice his unusual preaching methods, but also surrendering to his humane desires, such as enjoying drugs, rock and sex. His weakness leans toward a young woman, whose brother was one of the victims, while he will also defy standards in order to unify them and establish forgiveness. An electrifying canvas of youth in trouble and in crisis of identity, Komasa crafted an affecting and scandalous story about faith, compassion, resilience and human values.

Guy Ritchie is back to his roots with this marvelous take pro-weed, anti-heroin, violent, sexy, funny, with satirical, outrageous take on racial conflicts. Matthew McConaughey finally in a good movie, after last year's flops "Serenity" and "Beach Bum". It's amazingly violent and surprisingly well-structured, delivers great punch lines, and there's also an unforgettable Colin Farrell as an infamous boxer coach. The soundtrack is another attribute, one worth to buy or download, and listen to it very loud.