FACES PLACES
Rating to be advised, 89 minutes
This Oscar-nominated documentary follows legendary film-maker Agnes Varda and artist JR (both above) as they travel through rural France, making art that celebrates the people who live in the country.
Co-directed by the duo, this work has won acclaim for its life-affirming embrace of art and its place in small communities. It will premiere at the Francophonie Festival at Alliance Francaise de Singapour before it starts a theatrical run later this month.
WHERE: Alliance Francaise de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton WHEN: Thursday, 8pm ADMISSION: $21, $18 for members, includes cocktail reception at 7pm INFO: alliancefrancaise.org.sg/cultural-events
JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL
This year's edition, the festival's 21st, features a slate of 16 films that cover classics and new works across all genres.
It opens with the comedy Survival Family (PG, 117 minutes). In the near future, electricity vanishes, throwing the world into chaos. A couple (played by Fumiyo Kohinata and Eri Fukatsu, both above) take their teen children into the countryside, a place where the city dwellers definitely do not belong. Director Yaguchi Shinobu (Waterboys, 2001) will be present at the screening to take questions.
WHERE: Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road MRT: Bras Basah WHEN: Till March 18, various times ADMISSION: $13 INFO: japanese-film-festival-singapore.myshopify.com
CITY OF GHOSTS (M18)
90 minutes/ 4 stars
A secretive group of citizen-journalists called Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently forms a network, from war-torn Syria to Germany, where some live as refugees. Nominated for a Bafta for Best Documentary, this work (above) sees film-maker Matthew Heineman following the team as it risks everything, including the members' lives, to report on the war and the humanitarian crisis it has created.
WHERE: The Arts House Screening Room, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place WHEN: Till Wednesday, various times ADMISSION: $13.50 INFO: cityofghosts2018.peatix.com
DANISH FILM FESTIVAL
The festival this year features documentaries about design, covering architecture, modern art and food sustainability.
It opens with Big Time (90 minutes, rating to be advised), a film following the life of architect Bjarke Ingels over six years as he tries to complete his most daunting project: two iconic New York skyscrapers.
WHERE: The Projector, Level 5 Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road MRT: Nicoll Highway WHEN: March 16 to 18, various times ADMISSION: $13.50 INFO: theprojector.sg
