For those of us who may be unfamiliar with her work, the story of the Swedish artist, Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) is enlightening. She not only initiated ‘impressionism’ on canvas; but did so through various mediums that were highly unconventional for her time, To read few brief comments about Mountain Shadow’ s film selection for March, 2023, click on the image above.

 How should society deal with controversial works of art? Do the intentions of the artist matter? Or the impact on viewers? TOWN DESTROYER explores how to look at art and history at a time of polarized national debate over the power of images. To read a Mountain Shadow commentary on our film selection for January, 2023, click on the image above.

WHINA tells the story of a woman formed by the Mauri tradition in New Zealand, compelled by innovation, and guided by an instinct for equality and justice whose legacy as the “Mother of the Nation” was an inspiration to an entire country. To read a brief commentary of Mountain Shadow’s film selection for December, 2022, click on the image above.

Cinema has always presented us with a medium in which we’re presented with two divergent paths. One takes us briefly down a road of fleeting fantasy; imagining a world of glamor, stardom and, well, unreality. Such momentary escapism can be entertaining, of course; before leaving the theater and returning to our day-to-day lives. “Ali and Ava,” Mountain Shadow’s selection for November, 2022, is a perfect rendition of the latter. To read a brief review, click on the image above.

It’s true. Dog owners and dog lovers can be an odd bunch. Perfectly sane humans can willingly and deliberately imbue these 4-legged creatures with the best attributes we could ever hope to find in human relationships. Such is the case with Mountain Shadow’s film selection for October, 2022. To read a review of “Roise and Frank,” click on the image above.

Our September show was our 8th Annual Short Film Competition. This year’s volunteer Jury, consisting of sixteen Mountain Shadow members, previewed 460 submissions, in order to select 8 Finalists from far and wide, to present their works in person for audience balloting and cash awards! These outstanding short films include four live-action / narratives, two documentaries and two animated shorts. Read more about it by clicking the image above.

Mountain Shadow’s August, 2022 selection, “Skies of Lebanon,” is poetic blending of the personal and political, combining live action with animation to create a vivid picture of Lebanon, inspired by the family history of the filmmaker herself. To read a brief review and commentary of the film, click on the image above.

Mountain Shadow’s August selection was a pre-theatrical release from France, “Un Son Vivant” (“In His Lifetime”). Re-named “Peaceful” for English-speaking audiences, the melodrama stars Katherine DeNeuve, Benoit Magimel, and a true-life oncologst; with a son dealing with a terminal illness. They have one year and four seasons to come together and understand what it means to die while living. To read a brief review and link to an extensive Q&A with the filmmaker, click on the link above.

“Forgive me, I forgive you, I love you, thank you, goodbye.”

“Peaceful,” the title of this film, may convey the filmmaker’s goal and intention; when dealing with the often-unwelcome subject matter of a terminal illness and death. While moviegoers are often entertained watching the good guys blow the bad guys to smithereens; but dealing intimately with the intimate nature of the timeline of our own mortality is another matter.

But that’s why the French title for this film is “De Son Vivant,” -- which translated means “in his/her lifetime” – might be more suitable. The extensive press notes provided this month provide some context for the viewer to more fully consider this film; as well as reflect on the seasons of their own “lifetime.”

Some film critics panned this film as overly sentimental. Yet, while the filmmaker readily acknowledges her intention to provide a melodrama, she does so with a mix of both actors and “real” people; lending a degree of authenticity and realism to what is nonetheless a fictional tale. For instance, the role of Dr. Sara is played by the real Dr. Sara; sharing his real-life experience. While well-known French actors Catherine Deneuve (Crystal) and Benoit Magimel (Benjamin, who portrays the role of an acting instructor) are as real as you can get. jb

Footnote / personal observation: I look forward to a thoughtful discussion with those who can join us for the monthly film discussion on Monday. And yes, the French actor looks like a young Sean Penn. And, at age 78, Catherine Deneuve still appears to be looking and doing well!

Switzerland’s Oscar submission this year for Best International Film, OLGA, is a new Ukrainian drama most relevant for our time! Olga is a talented teenage Ukrainian gymnast exiled in Switzerland, dreaming of Olympic gold anged trying to fit in with her new team in her new home. As she prepares for the European Championships, the Ukrainian people back home in Kyiv rise up in what has become known as the Maidan Revolution. To read a brief review of what was our film selection for June, 2022, click on the image above.

Gifted and eccentric horticulturalist Eve Vernet breeds exquisite roses that compete in showcases all over France; competing with corporate rivals. Banding together with a group of parolees, the team comes up with a zany and risky plan to save the business. From France, this crowd-pleasing drama/comedy was Mountain Shadow’s selection for May, 2022. To read a brief Mountain Shadow review and excerpts from an interview with writer/filmmaker Pierre Pinaud, click on the image above.

When Will Smith and Chris Rock had their on-stage altercation at this year’s Academy Awards, one might have wondered if the incident was mere theatrics, or just another act of reactionary violence. In actuality, the incident was not unlike more than a few Oscar Short film nominees; given the fact a significant number of them came with the equivalent of an R-rating warning for graphic violence. Instead, and – given the fact all the “shorts” this year had unusually long running times -- Mountain Shadow offered a line-up of only five shorts, none of them selected for an Oscar by the Academy, but still considered the “Best of the Oscar Shorts, 2022.” Click on the graphic above to read more …

Aging OUT OF AFRICA author Karen Blixen (pen name: Isak Dinesen) is a lonely literary sensation when she meets talented thirty year-old poet Thorkild Bjrnvig. She offers him a Faustian bargain and promises him stardom if he will obey her unconditionally. From Denmark, “The Pact” was Mountain Shadow’s film selection for March, 2022. Click the image above for a brief film review and commentary.

“Black Box” was Mountain Shadow’s film selection for February, 2022. It’s a mystery suspense thriller from France that Hollywood might only dream of making! To read a brief review and link to an extensive interview with the film director, click on the image above.

It’s billed as a drama / comedy. But remember, this is a French film. In an era of fake news that’s more interested in sensationalism and star ratings than informed reporting separating facts and truth from fakery and untruths, the personal toll taken is on full display in FRANCE. To read a Mountain Shadow film review of our January selection, as well as a link to an extensive Q&A interview with the film’s director, click on the picture above.

The re-telling of “A Christmas Carol” is probably as much a part of the tradition of the season as wassail, Christmas tree tinsel, Yuletide carolling and egg nog. But you’ve likely never seen Dicken’s holiday tale spun so beautifully and creatively; with narration you’ve never heard before, unless you read the book! This was Mountain Shadow’s selection for December, 2021. To read a brief commentary of the film, click on the image above.

With our October feature film, “HIVE,” the female protagonist is not only confronted with her own personal grief and loss; but must rise up against an arcane patriarchal system in order to liberate not only herself, but a whole collective of what one might regard metaphorically as her “sister worker bees.” Along with other recent Mountain Shadow selections, these films might readily be considered a post-modern genre unto themselves with a universal storyline. The central theme that they share in common is all the more impactful by the fact they occur in different times and places. To read a brief commentary of “HIVE,” click on the photo above.

On the weekend of September 27-18, 2021, Mountain Shadow Film Society held its 7th Annual Short Film Competition. Thirteen Finalists from all across the country -- selected by a 20-member Jury from a record 566 submissions this year — presented their animated, live-action and documentary films in a 2-hour virtual show. To watch a wrap-up of the show, click on the banner above.

In 2016, Mountain Shadow audiences enjoyed Grímur Hákonarson prior film, “Rams,” set in rural Iceland. While the filmmaker distinguishes the general theme of his latest film as more of a social versus relationship-based commentary, the evolutionary development of the lead character in “The County” remains central to the storyline. To read a brief review of Mountain Shadow’s selection for August, 2021, click on the image above.

Human history is replete with individuals who rise above the lowing herd to distinguish themselves in the public’s eye as extraordinary or exceptional in some special way. This could include a political orator with a gifted tongue, a charismatic preacher with a religious zeal, a scientific genius, or other-worldly mystic. Such is the case for Jan Mikolášek, and the historical drama that was Mountain Shadow’s film selection for July, 2021. Click the image above to read a review of the film.

SUN CHILDREN, short-listed for Best International Film at the 2021 Academy Awards, is the Iranian story of children who must work to support their families. To this date, there are 152 million children in this situation. International organizations are waging a desperate fight to support these young people who are subjected to abuse and deprived of their human right to education. The message of SUN CHILDREN is that we are all responsible to these children, many of whom are extremely talented and all of whom are precious. SUN CatHILDREN was Mountain Shaodow’s selection for June, and an extensive filmmaker statement can be found by clicking the image above.