Our Little Sister

 Under the expert baton of master Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda is the enchanting adaptation of Akimi Yoshida’s graphic novel Umimachi Diary, where three sisters in their early twenties, Sachi (Haruka Ayase), Yoshino (Masami Nagasawa) and Chika (Kaho), meet for the first time their 14-year-old, half sister Suzu (Suzu Hirose) at their estranged father's funeral in the country. 

They quickly bond and impulsively invite her to live with them at the coastal resort town of Kamakura. Together, they gradually overcome issues of loss and learn to gracefully embrace life.

With contemplative pace and refined performances, master Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda delicately sculpts a charming, moving and at times humorous drama, elegantly shot by cinematographer Mikiya Takimoto and enhanced by Yoko Kanno’s score.

Therapy for a Vampire

 In this Swiss-Austrian collaboration, director and screenwriter, David Rühm, provides a fresh new look to the frequently over-expressed horror comedy vampire genre, crafting an original, well paced, energetic film with a witty, allegoric script and spot-on performances.

Set in 1930, the feature follows vampire Count Geza von Kozsnom (Tobias Moretti) seeking psychotherapy from the famed Dr. Sigmund Freud (Karl Fischer). The Count complains that he “lost the thirst for life”, that he is trapped in an “eternally long” relationship with his vain wife, Countess Elsa (Jeanette Hain), who nags him to the point of madness about her inability to see her image in the mirror, and that he yearns for his long deceased, bite at first sight girlfriend Nadila.

Things change when Count Geza von Kozsnom notices on Dr. Freud's wall a portrait of Lucy (Cornelia Ivancan), the painter's girlfriend, in the spitting image of Nadila. The Count sets to hire the painter, mortal Viktor (Dominic Oley), to paint a portrait of Countess Elsa. Meanwhile, the Count attempts to charm and lure Lucy, whom he believes to be the re-incarnation of Nadila.

An accomplished photographer, director Rühm features great care and attention to detail in this visually homogeneous, gothic atmosphere with captivating production design, costumes, lighting and subtle special effects throughout.

This blood sucking feature is dealt with lots of humor and blood, a treat for genre fans, and an enjoyable cinematic experience for others.