It’s great to see cinema releases ramping up again. This weekend, South African movie fans have four new films to choose from, ranging from horror (it’s October after all) to historical action, crime and feel-good comedy drama.
Smile
It’s Halloween month, so of course we can expect a couple of horror films or two. One of the big screen biggies is unnerving psychological thriller Smile. After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, therapist Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins stalking her and taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.
Medieval
Mixing history and visceral action there’s Medieval, inspired by the true story of Jan Žižka, one of greatest warriors in history. In the 14th Century, with brothers King Wenceslas (Karel Roden) of Czech and King Sigismund (Matthew Goode) of Hungary battling for control of the Holy Roman Empire, Lord Boresh (Michael Caine) hires brilliant mercenary leader Jan Žižka (Ben Foster) to kidnap Lady Katherine (Sophie Lowe), the fiancée of powerful Lord Rosenberg’s (Til Schweiger). This will prevent Rosenberg’s rise to power alongside corrupt King Sigismund. English-language Medieval is notable as the most expensive Czech film ever made.
Brotherhood
Out of Nigeria there’s action crime drama Brotherhood, showing in select cinemas. Twin brothers Akin (Falz) and Wale (Tobi Bakre) are orphaned when their parents are killed on New Year’s day on their way home from cross-over church service. After years of fighting to survive on the streets of Lagos, the brothers fall on opposite sides of the law, with Akin joining the police force and Wale joining the One Million Boys, a notorious gang of robbers.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
For feel-good arthouse vibes, check out comedy drama Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Based on the novel Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris, by Paul Gallico, the film tells the story of a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own. She embarks on an adventure to Paris that will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the house of Dior. Starring Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Jason Isaacs and more.