Actor Aidan Gillen on His Role in Noir Love Letter to Dublin, ‘Barber’
Irish actor Aidan Gillen talks about his lead role, and the freedom given to him to define his character, in Fintan Connolly’s Dublin-set modern noir, Barber.
Paul Risker
While technically an English-based film critic and interviewer, PopMatters Contributing Editor Paul Risker shows his political disgruntlement towards his homeland by identifying instead as a European writer. You’ll often find him agreeing with the late great French filmmaker, François Truffaut, preferring the reflection of life to life itself – he’ll even tell you that the cinema is more important than life. Often mistaken for a cynic, he prefers to think of himself as a disappointed idealist. Unsurprisingly he likes skulking in the sanctuary of the dark confines of the cinema.
Described as "philosophically inclined", he has a broad taste in cinema. His film writing has been published by academic and non-academic publications, including amongst others: PopMatters, Little White Lies, Cineaste, DMovies, VideoScope, Eye For Film, Film International, The Quarterly Review of Film and Video, and Filmmaker Magazine. He’s also on the advisory board of Mise-en-scène: The Journal of Film & Visual Narration (MSJ), the official film studies journal of Kwantlen Polytechnic University and serves as interview editor. He regularly contributes to the Arrow Films blog, the FrightFest festival programmes and online blog.
The Pull of Christian Sparkes’ Mystery ‘The King Tide’
Director Christian Sparkes and actors Clayne Crawford and Alix West Lefler discuss the mystery The King Tide during its World Premiere at TIFF 2023.
FrightFest 2023: ‘Cobweb’ Tells a Story Trapped Within Itself
If we listen closely enough to the knocking on the wall, we can hear the anguished whispers of a stronger story caught in the web of Cobweb’s weaker one.
Director Jared Moshé on Sci-fi Film Aporia’s Moral Ambiguity
Following Aporia’s world premiere at Fantasia, director Jared Moshé talks about leaving his audience grappling with moral ambiguity.
Andrea Pallaoro’s Trans Drama ‘Monica’ Has a Painter’s Touch
Andrea Pallaoro’s artful drama, Monica, is a reflection on how pain evolves, from the original words or actions to the silence and distance that hurts us more.
‘Evil Dead Rise’ Brings New Life to the Dead Series
Lee Cronin’s take on the Evil Dead series, Evil Dead Rise, has become a mirror image of its own horror by refusing to take its final breath.
Thriller ‘Cairo Conspiracy’ Critiques Institutional Power
Beneath the taut suspense of the political and religious machinations for control in Tarik Saleh’s Cairo Conspiracy emerges a stream of ideas.
‘The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan’ Is an Honourable Iteration
The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan lacks the literary poetry and grace of Dumas’ sprawling novel, but Martin Bourboulon’s iteration honours its spirit.
Director Rebecca Zlotowski on Her Most Autobiographical Film ‘Other People’s Children’
Director Rebecca Zlotowski talks with PopMatters about her most autobiographical film to date, Other People’s Children, which has a “whiff” of Claude Sautet about it.
The Quintessential Frenchness of Drama ‘One Fine Morning’
Mia Hansen-Løve’s tender Parisian drama One Fine Morning reflects on our sentimental nature and how we attach meaning and connection to the physical.
Ben Affleck’s ‘Air’ Wills Itself to Victory
Ben Affleck’s likeable and engaging Air walks a fine line between success and defeat. It’s a fitting culmination of the director’s exploration of drama and its sub-genres.
Icelandic Drama ‘Godland’ Puts What We Give Meaning in Perspective
Presented in a square frame with rounded edges, with audio-visual majesty, and silent narrative confidence, Icelandic director Hlynur Pálmason’s drama Godland is a seminal experience.