Film Reviews

(2012) Directed by Kemal Yildirim

ROSE is a Van Gogh Award Winner (Amsterdam Film Festival 2012). Recognised for his Cinematic Vision Kemal is deemed as “one of the world’s most innovative and talented contemporary filmmakers. Demonstrated by your work, this is recognition that you richly deserve.” Gina McClain, Amsterdam Film Festival Director.
ROSE was also officially selected and screened at the London Independent Film Festival 2012 and Portobello Film Festival 2013. “Thanks for making such a great film.” Erich Shultz, London Independent Film Festival Director.

No review of Rose would be complete without tipping one’s hat to actors Eileen Daly (Yondra, a retired prostitute), Lucy White (Magdelena, a statuesque heavy) and Rami Hilmi (Baldo, a mindless stooge), along with several relative unknowns who add texture and intrigue to Rose’s life story.

(2009) Directed by Jason Impey

Tormented is another film from Jason Impey and is a very competent short that he also wrote, edited and produced. The editing is good as the movie flows seamlessly from scene to scene with beautiful, natural lighting that never seems forced or fake and the acting by the films only two actors (Rami Hilmi from Tortured also shows up as Robert in this film) is good also.

Plot in one sentence: A maniac kidnaps Faye, a seemingly innocent girl to take revenge.
What works:
Certain moments of brutality did feel orgasmic, appealing to a misogynist in me; Pacing is good, film never feels drawn out; -some nice cinematography;

Acting is a lot more confident than in previous Impey efforts.
Rami Hilmi and Helen Clifford did a credible job with their parts. The bulk of the film really rests on their performances

(2014) Directed by David V.G. Davies

A bizarre black comedy feature centred around 3 characters – Karl: Once a romantic charming fellow, now Mr. Nobody, a drifter in life… The Burglar: A well-mannered gentleman who’s robbing Karl of his money and valuable belongings… and Pauline: Karl’s ex-girlfriend, a stuck-up upper class snobby bitch who has no regards for people and things, is oblivious to all things happening in front of her.
This is not your average burgling story, those characters when they interact with one another it produces some bizarre, weird and interesting moments and conversations that you’d not expect to happen! The type of film that would make you go: “Hang on, they didn’t just do or say that? Did I see what I just saw? I need to watch this again.” Karl is a very simple, easy-going guy, living life from day to day, no ambitions, no goals, no future, a drifter, a stick in the ocean controlled by its current taking him to wherever it wants, he ONLY started to think more about life and how it’s precious and valuable when he’s getting burgled and being a matter of life and death situation!

(2011) Directed by Jason Impey

The whole vibe of the film reminds of a 70′s/80′s horror movie crossed with a martial arts movie. The fight scenes between Quaid and Dillon are beautifully choreographed for a low budget feature. Also the soundtrack embellishments remind me heavily of 70′s/80′s zombie films which suits the visuals perfectly. There is a lot of great fighting and editing during the action scenes is way slicker than what you’d expect from a self-funded film where lead actors do their own stunts. THE TURNING generally feels more polished than Impey’s previous work.

“Epic fight between Kemal Yildirim and Rami Hilmi is a definite highlight.”

(2010) Directed by Jason Impey

An amorous couple finish making out. They decide to entertain each other by telling scary stories about the notorious exploits of local serial killers.

First , most tense, and gripping vignette, “Tormented” – Lovely young Faye (a credible and sympathetic performance by the fetching Helen Clifford) gets abducted and severely manhandled by the angry and deadly Robert (excellently essayed with savage and frightening intensity by Rami Hilmi). This particular yarn packs a pretty strong punch, largely to Robert’s unexpectedly poignant back story and the sturdy acting by the two leads.

“Think global, kill local.”