AUTHOR Beverly Andrews
Toronto International Film Festival
The 2022 Toronto International Film Festival reaffirms its status as the industry’s most commercially influential showcase, spotlighting powerful stories from around the globe. From the absurdist Ukrainian road trip Luxembourg, Luxembourg to the solemn resilience of Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles and the profound cultural tragedy of Elesin Oba, TIFF once again proves that cinema remains a vital lens through which to understand a changing world.
African Fashion
VThe V&A’s groundbreaking African Fashion exhibition is a vibrant celebration of the continent’s creative brilliance. Spanning from North to South Africa, the show highlights legendary designers, powerful political symbolism, and fashion’s role in shaping modern identity.
Tribeca 2022
Tribeca 2022 delivered an impressive lineup of bold features and captivating documentaries, reflecting the festival’s gritty East Coast spirit. From dark Israeli comedies to eye-opening music documentaries, this year’s program proved that film — and the conversations it sparks — is well and truly back.
In the Black Fantastic
In the Black Fantastic at London’s Hayward Gallery is a dazzling exploration of how Black artists across the globe are using myth, fantasy, and science fiction to challenge racial injustice and reimagine new futures. Curated by Ekow Eshun, the exhibition features works ranging from Nick Cave’s haunting Soundsuits to Lina Iris Viktor’s myth-infused paintings, Wangechi Mutu’s divine feminine sculptures, and Kara Walker’s searing historical critiques. This visually arresting show, accompanied by live performances and vibrant evening events, invites audiences to experience Black creativity through an unapologetically fantastic lens.
London’s Indian Film Festival
The festival included acclaimed documentaries, shorts, features as well as screenings of some of the country’s recent classics. This year’s festival also included a live interview with the legendary Aparna Sen.
Oklahoma
The Young Vic’s bold revival of Oklahoma! reimagines the classic musical through blind casting, sharp social commentary, and a haunting finale that echoes America’s buried histories. Directed by Daniel Fish and Jordan Fein, this production strips away sentimentality to reveal a darker, more relevant vision of the American frontier.
Odyssey: a Chinese Cinema Season
The second edition of the Odyssey film festival in London is a real treat. It is festival devoted exclusively to screening Chinese films. Here is Beverly Andrews’s selection.
The Age of Rage
“This house thrives only in anger that leaves no time for repentance. Those who have been banished for their crimes return to commit a new one.”