Cinema Roundup + Favourite Films: October 2025
Kontinental ‘25 (Radu Jude, 2025)
I went back to the cinema to watch One Battle After Another this month. Twice.
First in Belgrade on IMAX. My first viewing last month was in a mid-sized theatre in Čačak and I was keen to watch again on the biggest screen possible.
When I got back to Dubai, went to see it one more time, also on IMAX. Although the film was rated 18+, it was slightly edited which I expected, but also continues to be infuriating the 21+ rating introduced by the Media Council in 2021 to show an uncut version of films is no more.
The edits/cuts were made for the following scenes in the film, descriptions from IMDb’s Parental Guide page:
“A male's clothed erection is seen near the beginning.” (description from IMdb)
”A female passionately kisses a man in 2 scenes. She straddles him and there is some suggestive dialogue. Both scenes last about 8-10 seconds.”
“Within the first 10 minutes a person uses binoculars to watch the body of a female. You can hear him proceed to masturbate. Nothing shown.”
Additionally, a young trans character whose appearance in the film is less than a couple of minutes long was completely erased from the film. Disappointing and shameful.
Other favourites - new releases:
Homebound (Neeraj Ghaywan), an incredibly moving film about friendship, the caste system and social status for Muslim and Dalit communities. The film premiered at Cannes and was happy it was released in our cinemas, although I didn’t see any marketing for it and don’t think it was well attended. I watched it in the afternoon and there was one other person. He approached me after the film ended to talk about the film which I really appreciated. I couldn’t control my tears during the end credits, and it was a rare moment for me in a cinema in Dubai to have this kind of encounter.
Tron: Ares (Joachim Rønning) - I think I liked this more than most people. Watched it twice, second time with my young nephews. Since then, they’ve watched the two older Tron films at home.
Coyotes (Colin Minihan) - I will watch anything with Justin Long, and this was an enjoyable horror-comedy, despite the AI coyotes.
Still trying to process:
Sirāt (Óliver Laxe) - There’s a lot to unpack in this film, it also has some of the most beautiful cross fades. But there’s one scene that made me say no and cover my face and I don’t think I can ever watch that film again because of it. Watched it in Vienna.
Did not like:
The Smashing Machine (Benny Safdie) - found it emotionally
Together (Michael Shanks) - a film made for people that like to refer to their partners as “the other half”.
Favourite Rep Screenings:
In the Mouth of Madness (John Carpenter, 1994) - introduced by Neil Young at the Filmmuseum in Vienna
Cigarette Burns (John Carpenter, 2005) - watched on the same night
The Black Tower (John Smith, 1985-87) + Dad’s Stick (John Smith, 2012) - both watched at Being John Smith exhibition in Secession, Vienna.
Favourite New Films at Viennale (alphabetical):
Blue Moon (Richard Linklater)
The Currents (Milagros Mumenthaler)
Daria's Night Flowers (Maryam Tafakory)
Dry Leaf (Alexandre Koberidze)
Kontinental ‘25 (Radu Jude)
The Love That Remains (Hlynur Pálmason)
The Mastermind (Kelly Reichardt)
Memory (Vladlena Sandu)
Miroirs No. 3 (Christian Petzold)
The Secret Agent (Kleber Mendonça Filho)
Short Summer (Nastia Korkia)
Slet 1988 (Marta Popivoda)
Sorry, Baby (Eva Victor)
That Summer in Paris (Valentine Cadic)
Two Seasons Two Strangers (Sho Miyake)
Favourite Rep Screenings at Viennale (alphabetical order):
The Arch Tang (Shu-Shuen, 1968)
Double Love (Jean Epstein, 1925)
The Fall of the House of Usher (Jean Epstein, 1928)
Heart of Tramp/Vagabond (Jean Epstein, 1936)
Six and a Half by Eleven (Jean Epstein, 1927)
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Cinematography: Gasparcolor short film programm
Wrote more here.