The Second Mother

Aug 24, 2011 — bonne femme, à la [bohn FEHM, bohn FAM]Literally translated as “good wife,” the term bonne femme describes food prepared in an uncomplicated, homey manner. Sole bonne femme is a simply poached fish served with a sauce of white wine and...

Oct 26, 2010 — For several decades now, William Faulkner’s Light in August (1932) and Carl Dreyer’s Gertrud (1964) have been major touchstones for me—not only separately but also in some mysterious relation to each other. I even managed to find a way of discussing these...

Apr 22, 2025 — The majestic landscape of Provence takes center stage in Claude Berri’s two-film adaptation of an epic tale by Marcel Pagnol, a cinematic treasure that remains an abiding source of comfort for French viewers.

Mar 21, 2022 — Weeks ahead of the lineup announcement, trade publications are making educated guesses.

Nov 28, 2018 — The career of one of Italy’s greatest directors was riddled with scandal and accolades.

Sep 25, 2024 — At a time when women were understood to be the primary audience for movies, Hollywood studios built vehicles for actresses that doubled as showcases for the industry’s many brilliant female screenwriters.

Mar 18, 2024 — It’s an eclectic bunch this month, featuring a new play, a ban on the color green, and Godzilla.

Feb 6, 2024 — Tanaka Toshihiko’s first film launches a projected trilogy of stories set on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Jun 13, 2023 — The star of Miloš Forman’s Hair, Sidney Lumet’s Prince of the City, and Joyce Chopra’s Smooth Talk was seventy-one.

Jan 17, 2023 — One of contemporary cinema’s most provocative filmmakers launched his career with three deeply unnerving, deliriously genre-blending portraits of Europe.