The Exchange

The Exchange is a surprise, and is impossible to classify. We follow a university PhD student as he seems to slowly become more isolated from the world, and especially from his wife, who is following suit in turn. The pacing is very subdued, and the acting is realistic and down-tempo. We begin to mistrust the world as he does, and the atmosphere takes on a rather mysterious air, as very little makes logical sense in the film – and almost nothing is explained.

The cinematography is fantastic, and takes advantage of one of the abilities unique to cinema as an art – the ability to watch the world as an isolated observer from afar. Everything about this film is soft-spoken and strange, but with a vast amount of consideration resulting from the material. Highly recommended. Read More…

I have a habit of seeking out films from specific cultures. Poland’s films are always instantly snatched up, as well as Russia, Iran, and South Korea. This year I decided to take a stab at a culture whose films I have seen less than I feel I should have, and I have seen less that I was enormously impressed with than I feel this country has the potential to put out (although I do have a good deal of fondness for Ushpizin). Israel’s culture is one of the most complicated and precarious in the modern world, and as such, interesting and varied art can only follow.

And how correct I was. This year’s selection is sure to pique the interest of a dynamic taste. Read More…