the substance

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Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? You. Only better in every way. You’ve got to try this product: The Substance. It changed my life. Demi Moore gives a career-best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister past her prime and suddenly fired from her fitness TV show by repellent studio head Harvey (Dennis Quaid). She is then drawn to the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug: THE SUBSTANCE. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn – temporarily – as the gorgeous, twentysomething Sue (Margaret Qualley). The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. A perfect balance. What could go wrong? Deliriously entertaining and ruthlessly satirical, Coralie Fargeat’s Cannes sensation turns toxic beauty culture inside out with a be-careful-what-you-wish-for fable for the ages. Explosive, provocative and twisted, THE SUBSTANCE marks the arrival of a thrillingly visionary filmmaker.

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crossing

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From acclaimed director Levan Akin (And Then We Danced), CROSSING is a moving and tender tale of identity, acceptance and unlikely connection that transcends borders and generations. Lia, a retired school teacher living in Georgia, hears from a young neighbour Achi that her long lost niece Tekla, a transgender woman, has crossed the border into Turkey. Hoping to bring Tekla home after a period of estrangement, Lia travels to Istanbul with the unpredictable Achi to find her. Exploring the hidden depths of the city, they cross paths with a transgender lawyer called Evrim, who helps them in their search. As a reluctant and surprising friendship forms between Achi and Lia, the unexpected duo begin to discover that Tekla may not want to be found. With remarkably authentic performances from Mzia Arabuli and newcomers Lucas Kankava and Deniz Dumanli, Akin’s third film offers a vibrant and evocative portrait of the city of Istanbul. Humanistic and compassionate, this hopeful vision of forgiveness is a heartfelt portrayal of overcoming the degrees of separation that divide us.

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Priscilla

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When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a gentle best friend. Through Priscilla’s eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla’s long courtship and turbulent marriage, from a German army base to his dream-world estate at Graceland, in this deeply felt and ravishingly detailed portrait of love, fantasy, and fame.

how to have sex

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Winner of the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, HOW TO HAVE SEX is a vibrant and authentic depiction of the agonies, ecstasies and ride-or-die glory of young female friendship, from rising British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker. Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday, drinking, clubbing and hooking up in what should be the best summer of their lives. As they dance their way across the sun-drenched streets of Malia, they find themselves navigating the complexities of sex, consent and self-discovery. Captured with luminous visuals and a pitch-perfect soundtrack, Manning Walker’s directorial debut paints a painfully familiar portrait of young adulthood, and how first sexual experiences should – or shouldn’t – play out.

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decision to leave

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South Korean psychological thriller directed by Park Chan-Wook. What begins as a standard suicide case soon turns into something far more beguiling for insomniac detective Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) when he meets the elusive Chinese immigrant Seo-rae (Tang Wei). As the truth becomes harder to define, and more bodies turn up, Hae-jun is forced to question not only his own tenacity as a police officer, but also the essential values of his personal life.

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aftersun

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the stunning debut from scottish writer-director charlotte wells, aftersun juxtaposes a hopeful coming-of-age story with a poignant, intimate family portrait that leaves an indelible impression. at a fading vacation resort in the late 1990s, 11-year-old sophie (frankie corio) treasures rare time together with her loving and idealistic father, calum (bafta winner paul mescal, normal people). as a world of adolescence creeps into view, beyond her eye calum struggles under the weight of life outside of fatherhood. twenty years later, sophie’s tender recollections of their last holiday become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationship, as she tries to reconcile the father she knew with the man she didn’t, in charlotte wells’ superb and searingly emotional debut film. winner of the french touch jury prize at the cannes 2022 critics’ week and the grand prize at the deauville american film festival.

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the worst person in the world

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Acclaimed filmmaker Joachim Trier (Oslo, August 31st, Louder Than Bombs) returns with THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, a wistful and subversive romantic drama about the quest for love and meaning. Set in contemporary Oslo, it features a star-making lead performance from Renate Reinsve as a young woman who, on the verge of turning thirty, navigates multiple love affairs, existential uncertainty and career dissatisfaction as she slowly starts deciding what she wants to do, who she wants to be, and ultimately who she wants to become. As much a formally playful character study as it is a poignant and perceptive observation of quarter-life angst, this life-affirming coming of age story deservedly won Reinsve the Best Actress award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

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benedetta

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From renowned provocateur Paul Verhoeven (Elle, Basic Instinct), BENEDETTA is a subversive erotic drama based on the true story of a 17th century nun entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair. Virginie Efira stars as the titular Benedetta, a nun whose religious fervor begins to manifest in increasingly sensual and violent visions of Jesus. These hallucinations arouse the suspicions of Charlotte Rampling’s shrewd abbess, Sister Felicita, whose distrust grows when a farm girl called Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia) enters the convent seeking refuge, and quickly develops an attraction to Benedetta. Premiering at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, Verhoeven’s intoxicating latest is a transgressive and alluring look at faith, power and religion, and is every bit as scandalous as you would expect from the controversial filmmaker.

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pleasure

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A raw, vital and groundbreaking exploration of the adult film industry, Pleasure is the unflinching first feature from writer-director Ninja Thyberg. Bella (newcomer Sofia Kappel) arrives in Los Angeles from her hometown in Sweden, with dreams of becoming the next porn superstar. However, as her ruthless ambition leads her into increasingly dangerous territory, Bella struggles to reconcile her dreams of empowerment with the realities of the darker side of her industry. One of the most audacious breakouts of Sundance Film Festival 2021, Thyberg’s captivating debut addresses powerful ideas of consent and agency in sex work, through a fearless and uncompromising lens.

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shiva baby

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Shiva Baby is a darkly playful comedy of chaos about a young bisexual woman grappling with tradition and independence over the course of one climactic day-long shiva, a Jewish gathering of friends and family during a time of mourning. A highlight of 2020’s Toronto International Film Festival and SXSW, and featuring a standout lead performance from emerging actor-comedian Rachel Sennott, the acclaimed feature debut from writer-director Emma Seligman is bold, modern filmmaking at its most daring, hilarious and unforgettable.

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anette

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An epic musical on the pitfalls of love, fame and fortune from visionary filmmaker Leos Carax (Holy Motors), starring Adam Driver (Marriage Story) and Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose). The glamorous lives of a seemingly perfect celebrity couple – a provocative stand-up comedian and an internationally renowned opera singer – take an unexpected turn when their daughter Annette is born with a mysterious gift. An unabashedly unique and unforgettable spectacle, this Cannes Best Director prize winner co-stars Simon Helberg and features an original story and music by Sparks, one of pop’s best-loved and most influential cult bands.

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petite maman

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Following her grandmother’s passing, eight-year-old Nelly encounters a mysteriously familiar girl in the woods. An immediate bond forms, propelling Nelly into a fantastical journey of self-discovery. Together, they navigate enchanted landscapes, unraveling secrets that weave the tapestry of their connection. This mystical odyssey becomes a poignant catalyst for Nelly, aiding her in reconciling with the recent loss. Through magical escapades and heartfelt moments, Nelly learns profound lessons about the cyclical nature of life and the enduring power of cherished memories. The mysterious girl becomes a guiding light, helping Nelly embrace the bittersweet reality of farewell while finding solace in the beauty of everlasting connections.

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cow

available on dvd

 

Academy Award-winning director Andrea Arnold (American Honey, Fish Tank) returns with COW, a compelling portrait of the life of a dairy cow called Luma that marks her first foray into feature-length documentary filmmaking. This intimate and observational work chronicles its subject’s daily life, from grazing in green fields to giving birth, making milk and everything in between. A profoundly empathetic and unexpectedly moving contemplation of life and our relationship with animals, this is pure cinema shot through with Arnold’s typically vivacious energy.

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limbo

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Ben Sharrock’s critically adored Limbo is a wry, funny and poignant cross-cultural satire that subtly sews together the hardship and hope of the refugee experience. Set on a fictional remote Scottish island, it follows a group of new arrivals as they await the results of their asylum claims. Among them is Omar (Amir El-Masry), a young Syrian musician struggling with the guilt, regret and grief that comes with leaving his former life behind. This deadpan comedy-drama from a bold new voice in British cinema shines a light on the hearts and lives of those at the centre of a crisis that is mostly only experienced through the headlines.

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bergman island

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A filmmaking couple living in America, Chris (Vicky Krieps) and Tony (Tim Roth), retreat to the mythical Faro island for the Summer. In this wild, breathtaking landscape where Bergman lived and shot his most celebrated pieces, they hope to find inspiration for their upcoming films. As days spent separately pass by, the fascination for the island operates on Chris and souvenirs of her first love resurface. Lines between reality and fiction will then progressively blur and tear our couple even more apart.

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great freedom

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In post-war Germany, liberation by the Allies does not mean freedom for everyone. Hans has been found guilty for his homosexuality, deemed grounds for imprisonment under Paragraph 175. Over the course of decades, he is spied on and repeatedly jailed as a result. As Hans returns to prison again and again, he develops an unlikely bond with his cellmate Viktor, a convicted murderer. What begins as revulsion blossoms over time into something far more tender. Winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes, and starring an exceptional Franz Rogowski (Transit), Sebastian Meise’s GREAT FREEDOM is a searing depiction of love in the face of injustice.

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border

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Swedish fantasy drama based on the short story by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Tina (Eva Melander) works for the Swedish Customs Services, where she uses her unique ability to smell guilt and shame to apprehend criminals crossing the border. After she is recruited to use her special talent on a police investigation, Tina meets Vore (Eero Milonoff) a mysterious, similarly disfigured man who illuminates her life and forces her to question her past.

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new order

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New Order, a compelling dystopian thriller by acclaimed writer-director Michel Franco, unfolds in contemporary Mexico City. The narrative takes a gripping turn as a violent nationwide uprising interrupts a luxurious high society wedding. Winner of the 2020 Venice Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, Franco’s provocative filmmaking challenges viewers to confront shocking events that demand attention. In this tense tale of societal upheaval, New Order captivates with its bold storytelling, urging audiences not to avert their gaze from the unsettling realities it unveils.

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matthias & maxime

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In a poignant tale, childhood best friends find themselves tasked with sharing a kiss for a student short film. As the scripted intimacy unfolds, a lingering doubt creeps in, forcing them to confront their true preferences. The delicate balance of their brotherhood within their social circle is jeopardized, setting in motion a transformative journey that ultimately alters the course of their lives. This innocent request for a cinematic moment becomes a catalyst for self-discovery, challenging friendship, and reshaping the dynamics of their intertwined destinies.

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azor

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Argentina, the late 1970s. Private banker Yvan (Fabrizio Rongione) arrives from Geneva to replace a colleague who has disappeared in military-ruled Buenos Aires. Moving through a society under surveillance, he finds himself untangling a sinister web of colonialism, high finance, and a nation’s “Dirty War”. A remarkably assured debut from Swiss writer-director Andreas Fontana, AZOR is a riveting look at international intrigue worthy of John le Carre or Graham Greene.

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lamb

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Maria and Ingvar, a childless couple in Iceland, stumble upon a mysterious newborn on their farm, ushering in unexpected joy. The prospect of family life transforms their world, infusing it with newfound happiness. However, this unforeseen twist takes a dark turn, unraveling their lives and dreams. The joyous beginnings evolve into a haunting tale of destruction, as the couple grapples with the unforeseen consequences of their discovery, turning their once-promising journey into a poignant narrative of shattered dreams.

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bacurau

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Portuguese Western co-written and directed by Juliano Dornelles and Kleber Mendonca Filho. Teresa (Barbara Colen) returns home to Bacurau for her grandmother’s funeral and finds the sertao village decimated by a corrupt mayor and under attack from a band of wealthy American tourists. With no one coming to their aid, the villagers unite to fight back, boosted by the effects of a psychoactive drug

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