26TH EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL
Tomorrow (PG, 118 minutes, above) asks the question: Why are dystopias so sexy? Ruined futures are everywhere in science fiction. In this documentary, French film-makers Cyril Dion and actress Melanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds, 2009) go around the world looking for people creating a future not destroyed by climate change or pollution. These grassroots activists, civil servants and scientists are making optimism look cool.
WHERE: Golden Village Suntec City WHEN: Till May 22 ADMISSION: Tickets at $12 INFO: For bookings and schedules, go to www.euff.sg
John Lui
THE FAMILY FANG (PG13)
105 minutes/3.5 stars
Siblings Annie (Nicole Kidman) and Baxter (Jason Bateman, both above) return to their childhood home in search of clues when their famous performance artist parents, Caleb (Christopher Walken) and Camille Fang (Maryann Plunkett), suddenly disappear.
As an actor, Bateman has carved out a career playing Mr Nice Guy. As a director, he is showing his propensity for much darker fare.
This is a peculiar story and Bateman is adept at keeping the tone of the film dark throughout. Despite an unsatisfying ending, he has painted a portrait of a very believable family, idiosyncrasies and all.
Yip Wai Yee
THE SONGS WE SANG (PG)
128 minutes/4.5 stars
Film-maker Eva Tang - co-director of popular feature documentaries Old Places (2010) and Old Romances (2012), about disappearing spaces in Singapore - puts together an ambitious account of xinyao, weaving together interviews with singers, songwriters, producers, media reports, radio segments and video footage of television and stage performances.
Tang will be present for a question-and-answer session at screenings this Sunday and on May 29.
WHERE: The Projector, 6001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Tower, 05-00 MRT: Nicoll Highway WHEN: Sunday to May 29, various times ADMISSION: Tickets at $13. Book at theprojector.sg
Boon Chan
THE WITCH (M18)
93 minutes/4 stars
Patriarch William (Ralph Ineson) is cast out of his village for accusing the elders of slacking in their Puritan faith. With wife Katherine (Kate Dickie) and four children in tow, he ploughs virgin soil on the frontier. But 17th-century America is a place of shadows for the immigrant family, who come to regret leaving the sunlit fields of England.
It is clear that writer-director Robert Eggers is a history buff in love with the minutiae of life in the new American colony.
Film or stage portrayals of the Salem witch trials are meant to be understood as metaphors for modern forms of persecution. Eggers chooses the literal route - his witches are very real, ghastly creatures in league with the devil, and what we know about them from children's stories is true.
WHERE: The Projector, 6001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Tower, 05-00 MRT: Nicoll Highway INFO: For tickets and schedule, go to theprojector.sg
John Lui
