Now in its 26th year, Sheffield Doc/Fest is the UK’s premier documentary film festival, screening compelling stories from across the world. Under the tagline “Ways of Seeing” the festival prides itself in diversity, with over 50% of titles in the Film programme made by women, championing new and emerging voices and reflecting global events. Taking…
A Northern Soul
2018 A Northern Soul Director: Sean McAllister Words – Rhiannon Topham Sean McAllister returns to his native town of Hull in his new documentary A Northern Soul, a story which is reminiscent of the hardships depicted in his previous work A Syrian Love Story. McAllister brings the same kind of authenticity and sincerity to this…
Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018
With 2018 marking its 25th year, Sheffield Doc/Fest is the UK’s premier documentary festival, screening compelling stories from around the world. Taking place at a multitude of venues across Sheffield, here’s our look at a selection of films featured at the festival in 2018. click on the film title to see our review A…
Thunder Road
Director: Jim Cummings Starring: Jim Cummings, Kendal Farr, Nican Robinson, Jocelyn DeBoer Words – Toni Stanger Thunder Road opens with Officer Jim Arnaud (Jim Cummings) delivering the eulogy at his mother’s funeral. It’s a 10-minute scene shot in one long, unbroken take, which is the perfect way to introduce us to this unravelling character. Jim…
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
1939 Starring: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Margaret Hamilton, Frank Morgan Words – Christian Abbott Talking to anyone who has seen their fair share of films, The Wizard of Oz is bound to be among them. For many, it is a fond childhood memory, for others, it is the moment that sparked…
Vox Lux
2019 Director: Brady Corbet Starring: Natalie Portman, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Jude Law Words – Toni Stanger Tonally, Brady Corbet’s Vox Lux feels like an amalgamation of three different films, especially as it is split into a prologue with two main acts. The opening, set in 1999, is very profound as it explores normality turning…
Must See Movies: May
At Reel Steel we want to make sure you’re getting the most of your cinematic enthusiasm, so each month we put together our short list of some of the best new releases, from popcorn munching explosion fests to the often weird and wonderful. Take a look at the trailers below and see this month’s recommendations……
Avengers: Endgame (spoiler-free review)
2019 Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin Words – Nathan Scatcherd Since Iron Man all the way back in 2008, Marvel has enjoyed astonishing success with its shared cinematic universe experiment. Perhaps the ultimate legacy of the MCU will prove…
Rafiki – interview with director Wanuri Kahiu
A story of two young women forced to choose between happiness and safety, Rafiki is a vibrant and colourful film with stunning chemistry between its two leads. The film was originally banned in Kenya for its bold approach to LGBTQ+ representation. We interviewed director Wanuri Kahiu at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield. You can see…
Mid90s
Director: Jonah Hill Starring: Sunny Suljic, Lucas Hedges, Katherine Waterston, Na-kel Smith, Olan Prenatt, Gio Galicia, Ryder McLaughlin, Alexa Demie Words – Christian Abbott While being born in the 90s, I always considered myself a 2000s kid. One of my earliest memories is seeing the millennium come in, and all my experiences of adolescence came…
Rafiki
Director: Wanuri Kahiu Starring: Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva, Neville Misati, Nice Githinji, Nini Wacera, Muthoni Gathecha, Charlie Karumi, Jimmy Gathu, Vitalis Waweru, Githae Njogu Words – Rhiannon Topham Modern cinema is experiencing an exciting political renaissance. Daring narratives that tackle some of society’s most prevalent taboos are filling the lacunae left by the contextually hollow…
Mad Max – 40th Anniversary
1979 Director: George Miller Starring: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Geoff Parry, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, Roger Ward Words – Rebecca Kirby If like me, your first exposure to the Mad Max franchise came via Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, it’s predecessor 1979’s Mad Max sure looks and feels like a very different…
