Weekend with popcorn: top movie and streaming picks for the first weekend of December.
“The Editor” (Ukraine, directed by Roman Bondarchuk)
Where to watch: theaters
This Ukrainian feature film, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, is now in theaters. Before the full-scale invasion, a young scientist and his senior colleague venture to the Oleshky Sands in search of a rare suslik—what could possibly go wrong? However, they encounter forest arsonists, bandits, con-artist cultists, corrupt journalists, and politicians, as well as a cult seeking the salvation of humanity. This captivating satirical tragicomedy will surely evoke laughter, sometimes through tears.
“Forever and Ever” (Ukraine, directed by Anna Buriachkova)
Where to watch: theaters
Another Ukrainian film on our list is a stylish and poignant drama about the coming-of-age of a Kyiv schoolgirl in the late 1990s. In recent years, our directors have been reclaiming this era that defined Russian cinema for decades. However, this time it only influences the film's aesthetics and cultural context—the story itself is universal and will resonate with today's teenagers as well as their parents.
“Maria” (USA, Italy, directed by Pablo Larraín)
Where to watch: theaters, on Netflix starting December 11
The long-awaited return of Angelina Jolie to the screen is stunning—this story of singer Maria Callas encompasses the horrors of Nazi occupation, the rise to the pinnacle of operatic art, and a tumultuous romance with billionaire Aristotle Onassis. This film grandly concludes the Chilean director's “trilogy of great women.”
“Emilia Perez” (France, directed by Jacques Audiard)
Where to watch: theaters
While the previous film tells the life story of a great singer, this one narrates a convoluted and phantasmagorical tale of a Mexican drug lord who unexpectedly decides to become a woman, all through song. The musical by the French director, which features a wonderful cast including Selena Gomez, is paradoxically filmed in his home country rather than in Latin America, yet it does not lose the quirky colors of vast Mexico, with its local bandits and the opulence that conceals their personal crises.
“Churchill at War”
Where to watch: Netflix
World War II history enthusiasts have awaited this new four-part documentary miniseries about one of the key politicians of the 20th century, whose role in the victory over the Third Reich is hard to underestimate. While the British consider the narrative somewhat secondary, global commentators agree that Netflix’s own project offers a contemporary perspective on Churchill’s figure in the fight against the Nazis and his relationships with the USSR and the USA. This will be aided by another British Prime Minister—Boris Johnson—as well as former American President George Bush.
“Dune: Prophecy”
Where to watch: Megogo
This year, the second part of the feature film “Dune” can be complemented by watching a three-part miniseries from American HBO—it will unveil the secrets of the sisterly monastic order of the Bene Gesserit, which emerged 10,000 years before the events of the well-known story from Frank Herbert's novels. After viewing, anticipation for Denis Villeneuve’s third film will be even more exciting.
“Infinity by Florian” (Ukraine, directed by Alexey Radinsky)
Where to watch: Takflix
This documentary film about Florian Yuryev—one of the most prominent Ukrainian architects of the 20th century—reveals his legacy, the legendary “Flying Saucer,” which is being destroyed by Kyiv developers. The film also uncovers Yuryev as an artist and philosopher, whose ideas were not recognized in the USSR and did not receive adequate support in independent Ukraine. Although the description may suggest a conventional biopic, we are in for a gripping story of the struggle for our memory.