For this week’s newsletter I’m recommending Joanna Hogg’s latest masterwork, three essential new documentaries, two Christmas films, and the greatest film of all time.
I went into the The Eternal Daughter, the latest film from Joanna Hogg, at TIFF without much expectations. I liked The Souvenir films, but they didn’t hit me emotionally the way they did for several people I know, although I admired the filmmaking prowess. This film, however, hit my like a ton of bricks. Swinton stars as the same character she played in those films - as well as the character played by her daughter! - in an astounding dual feat of acting. It’s a masterclass by Swinton, but the film also works as a chilling gothic ghost story and a tender tribute to the inexorable connection between mother and daughter. I spoke at length with both Hogg and Swinton about the film’s themes, Swinton’s tremendous performance, and their lifelong friendship which has matured into a thrilling artistic collaboration. The film is currently playing at Film at Lincoln Center in NYC (Saturday at 3:30pm Hogg will be in Q&A with Martin Scorsese), at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, and the Laemmle Royal in LA (and I’m sure other theaters, although a24 has not updated its film page yet with tickets or showtimes). It’s also available on VOD.
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