The five most exciting releases of the coming winter months
The winter period from December to February can be a gloomy one, but as the evenings get darker, there are many exciting new releases to look forward to. Here I take a look at the upcoming films that will warm the wintery months.
1. The Souvenir Part II
Although I am a fan of Joanna Hogg’s wider filmography, I wasn’t in agreement with those who lauded her last feature The Souvenir, which, though technically admirable, felt to me chilly and alienating. But Hogg’s sequel seems to leave behind the opaque- here there seems to be more of a human touch, with the exchange between protagonist Julie (Honor Swinton Byrne) and her mother (Tilda Swinton) in the trailer signalling clearly that this new installment will be one of more fervour, though grappling still with the grief and turmoil that The Souvenir has left Julie with.
It has fleshed out its cast, too, with the entrance of Stranger Thing’s Charlie Heaton an exciting addition, and Ayoade will surely be adding comical inflections. It is due to follow Julie as she finds her footing as a filmmaker (pulling from Hogg’s own experiences), and was described in The Guardian as a “film about a film about a life, [where] puzzlement-slash-pleasure is redoubled.” I can’t wait.
In cinemas 4 February 2021. Click to see trailer
2. The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s debut feature, starring Olivia Colman as a language professor on holiday in Greece, has attracted much attention for its impressive cast; exploration of the all-to-neglected theme of motherhood; and superb direction. The trailer is sensual, layered and tense, promising a powerhouse performance from Colman. Based on Elena Ferrante’s 2008 novel, I am excited to see Gyllenhaal provides an authentic female perspective on the taboos of motherhood that usually go overlooked by Hollywood
In cinemas 17 December 2021, on Netflix from 31 December 2021. Click to see trailer.
3. Parallel Mothers
Almodovar’s latest feature made headline news in recent months for Instagram’s controversial censorship of its poster. Parallel Mothers is shaping up to be a vibrant, outrageous and warm film about motherhood, morals and friendship. From its initial reviews it seems that this film taps into darker themes of Spanish history through its comical and bright baby-shower surface. I am a big Almodovar fan, and love how expertly he creates an atmosphere that is recognisable yet somehow simultaneously off-kilter, the juxtaposing nature of which makes for perfect escapism into colourful and entrancing worlds. This seems to be another exciting offering, opening an abundance of riches.
In cinemas 28 January 2022. Click to see trailer.
4. Licorice Pizza
This screw-ball ‘70s comedy made me quite literally dance around the kitchen with excitement after watching the trailer. It’s textured, celluloid feel; comedic and strong female lead; and ‘70s California setting made it seem as if it had been made just for me, even down to the use of David Bowie’s Life On Mars? over the trailer, one of my all-time favourite songs.
Licorice Pizza follows the grinningly over-assured 15-year-old Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), who meets a bored yet forthright 25-year-old Alana (Alana Haim of the band HAIM, whose music videos Anderson had previously directed). The two take a whirlwind, kaleidoscopic trip through the San Fernando valley, while the film pinballs between strange encounters (such as that of Bradely Cooper as the spiky hairdresser-come-producer Jon Peters). This coming of age ‘70s nostalgia trip may be the joyous affair to light up the winter months.
In cinemas 1 January 2022. Click to see trailer.
5. The Tragedy of Macbeth
This new screen adaptation of Macbeth, coming to our screens shortly after Justin Kurzel’s realist version starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, takes a much more paired back yet visually striking approach. Director Joel Coen, working for the first time alone from brother Ethan, has created a stark monochrome film of German expressionist shadows; nightmarish landscapes; and powerful performances from its stars Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington. Its trailer promises a deliciously tense affair, with crisp faces carved by shadows as they loom out from the obscuring white fog.
In cinemas 27 December 2021, on Apple TV from 14 January 2022. Click to see trailer.