Emily Maskell

From page to screen, André Aciman’s ‘Call Me by Your Name’ has captured the hearts of readers and filmgoers alike with its authentic characters and alluring narrative. Later this year, the Call Me by Your Name universe is set to expand with the release of Aciman’s sequel, ‘Find Me’...

Two brilliant new movies are giving the quiet teenage girl a long-awaited strength. Emily Maskell looks back on The Edge of Seventeen and Eighth Grade, celebrating the voices of the ones who usually hide.
There’s nothing like falling into bed after school and recounting all the nightmare-inducing interactions that have just been lived through. From mortifying conversations to cringe-worthy silences, all that remains is to contemplate: when will the memorable moments start happening in this mo...

★ ★ ★ ★
“An aching appreciation for this young man.”
Sauvage is a searing raw portrait of 22-year-old Leo (Félix Maritaud). Set in the streets of Strasbourg, his story of longing unravels itself explicitly in director Camille Vidal-Naquet’s debut feature. Sauvage frames this narrative of Leo as a male sex worker respectfully, as the character navigates money, drugs and love.
Leo is introduced naked as his body undergoes examination. He is poked and prodded until it becomes clear that this is ...

“Dolan’s vision of love and loss comes to life in the most earnestly heartfelt of ways.”
Returning with another majestic demonstration of youthfulness, romantic pining and a journey of self-awakening, Matthias & Maxime is a charming and witty display of affection from Xavier Dolan.
Childhood friends Matthias (Gabriel D’Almeida Freitas) and Maxime (Xavier Dolan) are life-long companions and truly inseparable. When they are asked to kiss for an expressionist/impressionist/abstract short film, n...

And Then We Danced (dir. Levan Akin)

I film I cannot, and will not, stop talking about. Levan Akin has made a masterpiece that I cannot recommend enough.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (dir. Céline Sciamma)

Dear reader, I sobbed at this absolute perfection.

The Irishman (dir. Martin Scorsese)

Scorsese made me sit still for three hours and thirty minutes and I thank him for it.

Benjamin (dir. Simon Amstell)

I’m a fool who missed this in the cinema. However, Benjamin has quickly become my comfort film, perfect to watch while wrapped in blankets with a cuppa.

Varda by Agnès (dir. Agnès Varda

Dear Movies' fourth issue includes writing and illustration on the theme Explore.
Over two double spreads, my piece 'Finding My Feet In Cannes' explores sexuality, self-exploration and the experience of an adventure in Cannes.

Review of Ashley Joiner's documentary: 'Are You Proud?'

Ahead of the release of his debut feature, we chart the American writer/director’s unusual career path.

In 2006, when no one could have predicted what YouTube would become, a 16-year-old Bo Burnham popped into frame to sing his first comedy song for the internet. Hundreds of millions of views later, Burnham has made his debut feature as a writer/director, Eighth Grade.

Withheld for nearly twenty years, Olivier Meyrou’s documentary on Yves Saint Laurent finally sees the light of day. Yves Saint Laurent: The Last Collections (Célébration) opens the doors to the house of luxurious and elegant fashion. The documentary immerses itself at the very heart of this chaotic yet prestigious fashion house, pulling back the curtain of YSL.

The cobbled streets of Scotland are uneven under Lydia’s (Holliday Grainger) feet. It’s 1952 and she is trying to keep up with rent payments and ensure her son, Charlie (Gregor Selkirk), stays out of trouble. Nothing can prepare Lydia for the life-changing events that are awaiting her.

★★★★★
“A beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman.”
With the wind in her face, Agnès Varda’s soft voice cuts through all other noise. The short woman leans on her stick as she balances on a slow-moving industrial camera rig, reeling off anecdotes about her career. Varda By Agnès is the last film from Varda, after the devastating news of her passing in March. The film marks a moment for Varda herself to reflect on her films, jumping from topic to topic, film to film, wisdom is abundant.
This is...

“Living in the moment, with a disregard for the future, the group continues on their all-day bender leaving empty bottles behind at every stop.”
With matching tartan skirts and knee-high grey socks, Our Ladies walks hand in hand with the small-town girl hitting the big city. Five young women are fed up with the strict rules of their Scottish Catholic High School. As part of the school choir, they embark on a fieldtrip to Edinburgh. Upon jumping off the school bus the group are already plannin...

Rachel Mason’s documentary is about her parents, a bookshop and the gay community.

In 1982, Karen and Barry Mason took over Circus of Books: a gay book and pornographic store in West Hollywood. But for the Mason family at home “You don’t talk about family business.” Rachel, Micah and Josh were completely unaware of their parents’ job. Rachel Mason, Karen and Barry’s daughter, is the director of this film, documenting and reflecting on her parents’ commitment and contribution...

“Stevens’ songs are the soundtrack to falling in and out of love.”
With his melodramatic tones and heartfelt lyrics, Sufjan Stevens is a master of emotional projection. With lyrics and melodies that tug at heartstrings, Stevens’ haunting sound conjures the heavenliest of songs.
Perhaps in the most Sufjan Stevens move that Sufjan Stevens could have made, he wrote and composed two original tracks for the Call Me By Your Name soundtrack. ‘Visions of Gideon’ and ‘Mystery of Love’ are two tracks t...

After serving twenty years in prison, Chris (Jay Duplass) is re-adjusting to the world around him. People and places that should be familiar are now the remnants of a distant memory as he picks up the pieces he left behind.
At 38-years-old, Chris has been granted a new lease of freedom now on parole. It transpires that Chris is in jail for a crime he did not commit, so upon returning home, it is a shock to the system. To those around him, Chis appears as wondrous as an imaginary creature. His...