Shane Slater
Shane Slater is a passionate cinephile whose love for cinema led him to creating his blog Film Actually in 2009. Since then, he has written for AwardsCircuit.com, ThatShelf.com and The Spool. Based in Kingston, Jamaica, he relishes the film festival experience, having covered TIFF, NYFF and Sundance among others. He is a proud member of the African-American Film Critics Association.
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in Festivals, Interviews
Tribeca Interview: Stuart McClave Talks ‘On The Line: The Richard Williams Story’
Hot on the heels of the Oscar-winning narrative feature King Richard (which Joey reviewed here last year), director Stuart McClave delves deeper into the life of Richard Williams, the famed father and tennis coach of the superstar Williams sisters. In anticipation of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Awards Radar talked to McClave […] More
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in Interviews
Interview: Chris Strikes and Joella Crichton Discuss Carnival and ‘Becoming a Queen’
For many, Carnival conjures up images of carefree dancing in colorful costumes. But for some, the annual festival is a serious, competitive endeavor, with titles to be won for their performances. In Chris Strikes‘ latest documentary, the Caribbean-Canadian director takes us behind the scenes with Joella Crichton, an icon of Toronto’s Carnival as she aims […] More
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in Interviews
Interview: Maria Brendle Talks ‘Ala Kachuu’ and Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan
As the 94th Academy Awards approaches, one of the most impactful films to be feted as a nominee is also one of the shortest. Maria Brendle’s Ala Kachuu – Take and Run is an eye-opening account of the real-life practice of bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan and is deservedly nominated for Best Live Action Short Film. […] More
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in Festivals, Interviews
Sundance Film Festival Interview: A Chat with ‘After Yang’ Production Designer Alexandra Schaller
Premiering the Spotlight section of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival (where Joey reviewed it here), Kogonada’s After Yang is a thoughtful sci-fi film about a near future world where androids are adopted as companions and loved like family. The film’s thoughtfulness extends to its production design too, as revealed in our Awards Radar interview with […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: Shaunak Sen Stimulates Conservationist Empathy with ‘All That Breathes’
For brothers Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud, kites are their greatest obsession. But the kites they have fallen in love with are not the playthings made by man. In the New Delhi neighborhoods they call home, the most prominent kites in the sky are birds of prey. With his documentary All That Breathes, Shaunak Sen […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: Daniel Roher’s ‘Navalny’ Doc Showcases Courage Under Fire
In the introduction to his new documentary Navalny, director Daniel Roher quickly sets the mood by lamenting the fact that his success comes at the expense of one man’s sacrifice. That man is the titular Alexei Navalny, a fierce political opponent to the draconian Russian President Vladmir Putin. As the film details Navalny’s efforts to […] More
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in Festivals, Interviews
Sundance Film Festival Interview: Andrew Semans Explains the Fear of ‘Resurrection’
With his mindblowing sophomore feature Resurrection, writer-director Andrew Semans delivered one of the most talked about films at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Harnessing the sensational acting power of Rebecca Hall, this thriller follows a woman who begins unraveling after encountering a terrifying figure from her past. In our Awards Radar interview, we learn more […] More
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in Festivals, Interviews
Sundance Film Festival Interview: Audrey Diwan and Anamaria Vartolomei Discuss ‘Happening’
At the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, Awards Radar participated in a press conference with director Audrey Diwan and star Anamaria Vartolomei of Happening. The Golden Lion winner follows a bright student in 1963 France who desperately seeks an abortion at a time when the practice is heavily criminalized and taboo. Below are highlights of that […] More
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Sundance Film Festival Review: ‘A Love Song’ Plays it Simple and Sweet
It’s always a pleasure when a talented character actor gets the starring role they deserve. With his modest debut feature A Love Song, director Max Walker-Silverman does just that for Dale Dickey. Known for her gritty portrayals of tough-minded women across film and TV, she shows a softer side in this lightly romantic drama. Yet […] More
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Sundance Review: ‘Tantura’ Uncovers Painful Secrets of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of world news will surely know about the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine. But while current newscasts keep us abreast of the today’s struggle, many are unaware of the historical events in this extensive timeline. Director Alon Schwarz seeks to address this collective amnesia with his disquieting documentary […] More
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22 Films to Watch at Sundance ’22
It’s the last few weeks in January and for film lovers around the world, that means one thing in particular – a new Sundance Film Festival. Every year, patrons venture to the frosty mountains of Park City – or tune in online during a pandemic – to catch a first look at the freshest and […] More
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Interview: Laura Wandel Discusses Her Oscar-Shortlisted ‘Playground’
Set in the tumultuous but formative time of childhood schoolyards, Laura Wandel’s Playground is a little film that packs a big punch. Seen through the eyes of a 7-year old girl and her older brother, this striking drama explores the familiar challenges of school bullies and peer pressure. After its award-winning premiere at Cannes, Playground […] More