Cate Blanchett at Cannes

by Elisa Giudici

Cate Blanchett. Photo © Elisa Giudici

Cate Blanchett came to Cannes ostensibly to spotlight the Displacement Film Fund, the initiative she co-founded with the UNHCR to support displaced filmmakers and stories about forced migration. But the conversation quickly expanded into something broader: a sharp, funny, deeply thoughtful reflection on acting, authorship, AI, artistic risk, and the changing state of cinema itself...

Click to read more ...

Hello, Gorgeous: Best Actress of 2015

A new series by Juan Carlos Ojano

In this year’s group of nominees - more than any other year I have covered so far - the given space during their introductory moments is incredibly important in establishing the character and their place within the story. Whether it is set in the past or the present, the stories where these characters are situated are framed through the visual juxtaposition of the character and their location a few shots into the film. While that is the unifying theme among these women, they also dabble into different variations of perspective, filmmaking styles, and acting registers. This makes for a dynamic comparison of their first impressions.

Are you ready? The year is 2015...

Click to read more ...

Sundance: 'Eileen' is the movie 'Carol' couldn't be

by Jason Adams

The blonde woman in expensive clothes explodes into the dowdy brunette’s life like fireworks. She just appears one day, flung out of space, and nothing will ever be the same for the Plain Jane working girl again. Everything is upended in Midcentury America, surprise feelings warming in the brunette's belly she doesn’t even have a name for, inspiring a sudden need to run. And yes you’d be forgiven if you thought I was speaking about Carol, Todd Hayne’s 2015 masterpiece about a love affair between Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, who no matter what Harge says were not ugly people. 

No I speak of a different lesbian potboiler that just popped off at Sundance this year, director William “Lady Macbeth” Oldroyd’s Eileen, based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s 2015 novel...

Click to read more ...

It's "Carol" day. How will you celebrate?

You can always catch Nightmare Alley in cinemas to see Cate & Rooney together again!

Thankful for... Christopher James

This year for our "thankful for" column we're interviewing our contributors so you can get to know them better. Yes, Thanksgiving is technically over but we're still grateful. Here's one more for you. A big hug and thank you to CHRISTOPHER JAMES!

Chris has been with for TFE for just over a year but we've known him much longer online, first meeting him in the flesh on a trip to Los Angeles. In the short time he's been with us he's completed the popular "Gay Best Friend" series (one more wrap-up episode is coming!) and is about to launch a new series. He also kept things lively with fun personal anecdotes and important questions, and has been a powerhouse when it comes to our Emmy coverage. 

Our short interview follows...

When did you first fall in love with the movies?

Click to read more ...