Doug Jamieson

Anchored by a stunning dual performance from Dylan O’Brien, TWINLESS is a dark, funny, and quietly heartbreaking look at the messiness of grief. Full review at the link below. #Twinless #SydFilmFest https://t.co/Elg4WDRGfp

Richly crafted by Joachim Trier and superbly led by Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård, SENTIMENTAL VALUE is beautifully poignant, surprisingly funny, and quietly heartbreaking. A familiar but powerful portrait of a fractured family that leaves an indelible mark. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/JCOgpGmxqI

A visceral experience like few others this year, SIRÂT is a propulsive sensory overload that defies convention at every turn. Wildly original and twistedly disturbing, it's bizarre and brutal, but therein lies its brilliance. Bound to haunt you for days on end. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/zHSJRkeqqP

An intimate portrait of a remarkable leader who faced one crisis after another, PRIME MINISTER is undeniably unbiased but no less compelling. Charting the rise and fall of a woman who led with kindness, it's a damning reminder of the misogyny she consistently faced. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/41Jwj9uB1U

A debut feature so confident and textured that it feels like the work of a seasoned auteur, SORRY, BABY is one of the most unforgettable films of the year. Full review at the link below. #SorryBaby https://t.co/6w5u6ugZc2

Masterfully written and directed by Jafar Panahi, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT is a darkly funny revenge thriller bubbling with palpable political anger and tense moral dilemmas. A deeply personal and undeniably urgent film. The gripping final act is simply breathtaking. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/LB35jrSrAI

An enchanting odyssey that celebrates the resilience of one remarkable elderly woman, THE BLUE TRAIL is an unpredictable and optimistic delight. Beautifully filmed and led by a gorgeous performance by Denise Weinberg, it's another Brazilian cinema must-see. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/CxOX2gWuy6

EDDINGTON is bound to be divisive. For me, it doesn't work. At all. Its shallow attempts at lampooning everything from the COVID-era make it a satire of itself. Its tonal shifts are messy. The final act is nonsense. And, worst of all, it's often legitimately boring. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/SQD7QhRgMj

THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND is a super sweet and warm little gem that's a lovely respite from typically heavier festival fare. Very funny, very heartfelt, and very British. Carrie Mulligan is typically radiant in this unexpectedly poignant tale that's easy to love. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/bCvJ79vzxl

A slow moving but utterly engrossing political thriller, THE SECRET AGENT is undoubtedly one of the best films of the year. Brilliantly written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and dominated by a quietly commanding, Oscar nom-worthy performance by Wagner Moura. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/UTre8KRpZj

MY FATHER’S SHADOW is a deeply special film. Elegant and tender, violent and heartbreaking, and beautifully crafted. Akinola Davies Jr. delivers a wildly impressive and incredibly striking debut that intimately captures how one small decision can change everything. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/d8vrAf5KWu

A beguiling chamber piece centred on the different ways people process grief, MIRRORS NO. 3 may not reach the heights of Christian Petzold's previous work, but it's fascinating viewing just the same. Beautifully shot and led with impressive force by Paula Beer. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/YBnnH5jTb7

A safe but reverent reimagining, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON doesn’t always glide gracefully, but when it soars, it’s hard not to be swept up in its flight path. Full review at the link below. #HowToTrainYourDragon https://t.co/EzebAXsYdd

Much like its titular character, ENZO is both beguiling and frustrating. It's an equally fascinating and maddening character study of a lost teenager questioning his purpose and sexuality. The captivating debut performance from Eloy Pohu is what shines the most. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/IDUTuGOW3Y

TWINLESS is an absolute gem of a film. Sharply written, darkly humorous, and incredibly touching. James Sweeney's unpredictable screenplay earns its twists. And he makes for a sensational co-lead with a phenomenal Dylan O'Brien. Loved it, loved it, loved it. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/qyfrYSNYAh

THE MASTERMIND begins as an art heist caper loaded with droll humour. But, in Kelly Reichardt's capable hands, it soon becomes a deceptively gripping character study of a desperate, lost soul. A simple tale told impeccably well. Josh O'Connor is quietly compelling. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/z2K3X02ezl

Beautifully written with lashings of dialogue-heavy scenes, BLUE MOON is Richard Linklater's melancholic ode to musical theatre and the price of making art. Ethan Hawke is phenomenal. Andrew Scott is magnetic. Quiet and unassuming but entirely moving cinema. #SydFilmFest https://t.co/APcMwi0OKZ