January 20, 2022

WIFF’s Weekend Watch List — 01/21

A HERO (If you want exceptional storytelling) Vincent Georgie: I would argue that Iranian Writer-Director Asghar Farhadi has joined the ranks of master filmmakers…

A HERO

(If you want exceptional storytelling)

Vincent Georgie: I would argue that Iranian Writer-Director Asghar Farhadi has joined the ranks of master filmmakers over the past decade. His talent is world-class. After his back to back Oscar wins of WIFF favourites A SEPARATION and THE SALESMAN, Farhadi returns with what he does best: nuanced stories about people skirting good and bad choices, where misconception and mystery are prevalent. This film is outstanding.

Synopsis: Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum, however things don’t go as planned.

Watch on Amazon Prime

HUSTLERS

(If you want a high energy film)

Vincent Georgie: I caught the film at its World Premiere at TIFF in 2019. I will admit that it was a bit of an accidental invitation that I accepted last minute, and my expectations of the film were unclear. I was very pleasantly surprised by a highly entertaining story about loyalty, class, and ingenuity. The very charismatic ensemble cast deserve a lot of praise and respect, Jennifer Lopez in particular.

Synopsis: Working as a stripper to make ends meet, Destiny’s life changes forever when she becomes friends with Ramona–the club’s top money earner. Ramona soon shows Destiny how to finagle her way around the wealthy Wall Street clientele who frequent the club. But when the 2008 economic collapse cuts into their profits, the gals and two other dancers devise a daring scheme to take their lives back.

Watch on Netflix

Watch on Amazon Prime

Watch on Hulu

Watch on YouTube

Watch on iTunes

THE FIRST WAVE

(If you want a definitive pandemic film)

Vincent Georgie: I was unsure about my appetite to watch films that deal with COVID-19 head-on. I’ve now seen a few, and have had variable reactions to them. The film that I would put at the head of the class is surely the gifted Matthew Heineman’s film about the first wave of the pandemic. 25 years from now, when we look back, we will consider this film as the definitive, authoritative film about all that was 2020.

Synopsis: Health care workers at Long Island Jewish Medical Centre in Queens, New York, as they faced the difficult first four months of COVID-19. These healthcare workers risked their lives in a battle to keep the virus at bay.

Watch on Disney+

Watch for free on National Geographic until 01/21/2022 @ 11:59 p.m.

DOUBLE FEATURE

SIDNEY POITIER

Earlier this month, we lost the titanic Sidney Poitier. The quality of his talents, the respect he commanded, and the trailblazing nature of his achievements are worthy of perpetual celebration. This weekend, celebrate with two of his most memorable and noteworthy film performances.

LILIES OF THE FIELD

When traveling African-American handyman Homer Smith (Sidney Poitier) stops by a farm in rural Arizona, he is welcomed by a group of Roman Catholic nuns who have emigrated from Germany. Realizing that the farm needs a lot of work, Homer takes on a number of repair projects for the women, who are led by the headstrong Mother Maria (Lilia Skala). Impressed by Homer’s kindness and strong work ethic, the nuns come to believe that he has been sent by God to help build them a chapel.

Watch on iTunes

Watch on Amazon Prime

TO SIR, WITH LOVE

American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) recently received his degree in engineering, but cannot find work. To make ends meet, he takes a job as a teacher in a rough London East End school populated mostly with troublemakers who were rejected from other schools for their behavior. While the students at first see Thackeray as just another teacher open for ridicule and bullying, his calm demeanor and desire to see them succeed gradually earn him their respect.