My Favourite Films of 2019

Last year, I stupidly said, "Let’s hope that sense and kindness prevails in 2019." Oh boy!   This year I'll only say, "Let's hope we just make it through 2020".   Anyway, there were lots of films I missed in 2019, but here are my favourites from those I saw, ordered alphabetically within each rating: …

Bal (Honey) – ‘poetic film-making’

Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan is much on my mind of late, or rather his brilliant film Once Upon A Time In Anatolia. The contemplative manner of Anatolia reminds me of another Turkish director, Semih Kaplanoglu, and his film Bal (Honey). I saw it last year at the Belfast Film Festival and was impressed with …

Once Upon A Time In Anatolia

My short review published online in One Hundred Words Magazine [no longer available]:- Nuri Bilge Ceylan is one of the most gifted directors in the world; Once Upon A Time In Anatolia is his latest magnificent creation. What seems a simple police procedural is in fact a fascinating, intricate character study and philosophical essay, full …

…eagerly awaiting the new Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Jostling for top position on my imaginary list of great living directors, with the likes of Bela Tarr, is the unique Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan. His latest film, Once Upon A Time In Anatolia, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes last year, is finally to be released in the UK next …