Martin Cid's Blog: Martin Cid Magazine, page 53

“The Wrong Track”: A Norwegian Film About Second Chances

“The Wrong Track” is a Netflix movie starring Trond Fausa Aurvåg and Ada Eide. It is written by Vilde Klohs and Lars Gudmestad, and directed by Hallvar Witzø.

“The Wrong Track” is a Netflix film starring Trond Fausa Aurvåg and Ada Eide. It’s written by Vilde Klohs and Lars Gudmestad, and directed by Hallvar Witzø.

Norway is known for its beautiful fjords, friendly people, and of course, snow. So it’s no surprise that its inhabitants have practiced skiing as a sport since time immemorial, and it has rightfully become the national sport. “The Wrong Track” takes us into the world of skiing and an endurance race, but above all, it introduces us to characters who, through cross-country skiing, try to overcome daily life, emotional setbacks, and simply continue living.

They do this, of course, with the help of sports and skiing in particular.

Plot

The story follows Emilie (masterfully played by Ada Eide), a young divorced mother whose life seems to be in free fall. Without a stable job, struggling to maintain custody of her daughter Lilli (Saga Meisfjordskar), and with a tendency to drown herself in alcohol, Emilie is the epitome of an adult who hasn’t yet found her way. The turning point in her life comes when her older brother, Gjermund (Trond Fausa), challenges her to train for the Birken, an annual 54-kilometer cross-country skiing marathon. This challenge not only becomes a metaphor for her personal struggle but also the catalyst for her transformation.

The Actors

Ada Eide brings to life an Emilie who is as frustrating as she is endearing, while Trond Fausa as Gjermund offers the perfect counterpoint with his stoicism and demanding nature. The chemistry between the siblings is palpable, adding layers of authenticity to their interactions. But “The Wrong Track” is not just Emilie’s story. Subplots, such as Gjermund and his wife Silje’s (Marie Blokhus) struggle to conceive, add depth and complexity to the narrative, creating a mosaic of human experiences that resonate with the viewer.

About the Film

“The Wrong Track” is a light film that, above all, focuses on the theme of second chances, rebuilding life when everything seems to be going downhill, and trying to keep on living. “The Wrong Track” is the story of two siblings, each with different lives, who, also in different ways, try to move forward.

Without being a typically family film, family remains the central axis in the lives of the protagonists. “The Wrong Track” doesn’t lead us to stylistic excesses, but instead focuses on the story and, above all, on the characters, giving them prominence over cinematic construction.

“The Wrong Track” doesn’t aim to revolutionize cinema, but rather to delve into these characters who, in all their humanity, become relatable to the viewer through the way director Hallvar Witzø achieves a perfect balance between typical Norwegian humor and moments of emotion. Without inventing anything new, it moves us with its realism and the goodness of its characters, always close to the viewer.

A simple but moving film about walking through life… well-aided by a pair of skis.

Enjoy it!

Where to Watch “The Wrong Track”

Netflix

Netflix releases ‘Dalah: Death and the Flowers’, a new Thai mystery series

“Dalah: Flowers and Death” is a Netflix series starring Urassaya Sperbund and Chayanit Chansangavej.

Glamour, high society, good taste, and… a murder and plenty of mystery. “Dalah: Death and the Flowers” is a new mystery series that combines family, political, and business intrigues with the central character of a mysterious woman who, in charge of floral design at the grand wedding of the heir and Prime Minister candidate, seems to carry mystery with her. Her name: Dalah.

“Dalah: Death and the Flowers” is a series that, with a great sense of aesthetics and photography, knows how to combine the family intrigues of high-ranking families with mystery and even thriller elements.

Six episodes specially designed for lovers of mystery and intrigue.

Plot

The plot revolves around a murder that shakes the foundations of the Thai political elite. Ohm-Anusorn, the leading candidate for Prime Minister, is found dead on his wedding day, triggering an investigation that uncovers dark secrets and high-level scandals. At the center of this whirlwind is Dalah, played by the talented Yaya Urassaya Sperbund, a sophisticated floral designer hired for the wedding arrangements. Far from being a mere witness, Dalah finds herself entangled in a web of intrigues and decides to investigate on her own, unearthing truths that could shake the foundations of Thai society.

About the series

The series, consisting of six 52-minute episodes, promises to be a visual and narrative feast. Directors Dream Thanika Jenjesda and Alisa Pien have created a world where the beauty of floral arrangements contrasts with the darkness of human secrets. A series in which the philosophy behind floral arrangement blends perfectly with the tone of the story, adding a refined and delicate touch throughout.

The cast includes Pat Chayanit Chansangavej as Risa, the bride left at the altar, and Ryu Vachirawich Watthanaphakdeephaisan as Sarath, a hotel employee with suspicious connections. Each character adds an additional layer of complexity to the plot, from relatives of the deceased to members of the bride’s family, all with potential motives for the crime.

Director Alisa Pien praises the cast’s dedication, especially highlighting Yaya Sperbund’s work in building the character of Dalah. “Dalah: Death and the Flowers” is not just a conventional whodunit. The series promises to explore deep themes, offering viewers an intimate look at the internal struggles of each character. The carefully crafted historical background of the Aueathepa family adds an additional dimension to the narrative, intriguingly connecting past events with the present.

Enjoy it!

Where to Watch “Dalah: Death and the Flowers”

Netflix

“Toxic Town”: A Netflix series that brings to light a real environmental scandal

“Toxic Town” is a Netflix series starring Jodie Whittaker, with Robert Carlyle, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, and Brendan Coyle. The show plunges us into a real environmental scandal, with four episodes taking us to Northamptonshire (England), in the small town of Corby, where several children are born with deformities due to industrial waste.

The series, created by the powerful team of Jack Thorne and Amy Trigg, with Minkie Spiro at the helm of direction, skillfully balances the political intrigue of corporate misconduct with deeply personal and heartbreaking narratives.

Plot

The story unfolds after the closure of the Corby steelworks, as the area undergoes a redevelopment process. What should have been a new beginning for the community turns into a nightmare when toxic substances, including dust contaminated with cadmium, pollute the land. The consequences are devastating: pregnant women in the town begin giving birth to children with debilitating physical differences.

Toxic Town

The actors

Jodie Whittaker plays Susan McIntyre, a mother whose son is born with underdeveloped fingers. Whittaker embodies the series’ shifts in tone, balancing moments of levity with heartbreaking revelations. Her portrayal of a woman who transitions from a concerned mother to a relentless activist is simply fascinating.

Aimee Lou Wood brings a heartbreaking vulnerability to Tracey Taylor, whose son is born with malformed internal organs. Claudia Jessie, known for her energetic roles, surprises with a restrained and powerful performance as Maggie, a mother struggling with her son’s limb difference while her husband works at the contaminated demolition site.

About the series

“Toxic Town” is an ensemble series that covers all aspects of the tragedy: four women defending themselves against an injustice and denouncing an environmental crime that has affected their pregnancies.

A series that knows how to avoid moralizing, gratuitous lessons, or easy drama: “Toxic Town” approaches the tragedy from different perspectives and manages to give a global vision of why these events occurred and what happened afterward.

Beyond being a series that aims to denounce the crime, “Toxic Town” knows how to bring us to the characters and delve into the complex web of protagonists. Without avoiding controversy or denunciation, it doesn’t fall into easy drama and shows us what happened with realism and, moreover, achieves a balance between the characters and the cinematic aspects.

A well-directed series, with an intelligent script that also calls on the audience about environmental awareness in a smart and well-presented way, based on a solid narrative of well-developed characters and dialogues that are both real and effective.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of “Toxic Town” is how it manages to be both a scathing denunciation of corporate and governmental negligence and a celebration of community resilience. It’s a delicate balance, but one that the series maintains throughout its four episodes.

As we face current environmental crises and debates about corporate responsibility, “Toxic Town” not only seems timely but necessary.

Where to Watch “Toxic Town”

Netflix

“Running Point”: Kate Hudson in a new Netflix comedy series about the world of basketball

“Running Point” is a Netflix comedy series starring Kate Hudson with Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, and Scott MacArthur.

Kate Hudson is back, and in true family style (she’s Goldie Hawn’s daughter): a comedy series about professional basketball where she can showcase all her talent in her favorite genre, comedy.

Created by the team of Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, “Running Point” has a “Ted Lasso” vibe and, above all, all of Kate Hudson’s personality, the absolute star of this new series: funny, daring but (also) very relatable to the audience.

“Running Point” follows in the footsteps of comedies set in the world of basketball, with a rookie president who has to deal with a declining team that she tries to fix.

Plot

The series follows Isla Gordon, played by Kate Hudson, who unexpectedly finds herself at the helm of the LA Waves, the family basketball team, following a scandal involving her older brother.

The actors

Hudson, known for her roles in romantic comedies, demonstrates her versatility by portraying a woman struggling to prove her worth in a male-dominated world, while dealing with complicated family dynamics and the challenges of professional sports.

The cast of “Running Point” is diverse and full of comedy talent: Drew Tarver and Scott MacArthur play Isla’s brothers, each with their own ambitions and flaws, creating a dysfunctional but endearing family trio. Brenda Song joins as Ali Lee, Isla’s best friend and chief of staff, providing a necessary counterpoint and practical wisdom.

About the series

Looking for a comedy in the purest Hollywood style? “Running Point” is just that, without delving into family dramas or taking us to the serious side: pure entertainment with, moreover, an elaborate script prepared and pre-cooked to please the general public.

“Running Point” doesn’t aim to reinvent comedy, it’s based on the most classic parameters and, building on the foundation of a thousand previous basketball comedies, it knows what it needs to do and executes it perfectly, achieving a balance that, without falling into absurd comedy, manages to entertain in each of its ten episodes that make up its first season.

It’s true, it doesn’t invent absolutely anything and the series is totally predictable: troubles with the players, family problems, and Kate Hudson in the middle of all the problems, proving that a woman can run a basketball team (did anyone doubt it?).

“Running Point” is a series that delivers exactly what it promises: a classic comedy that, with a daring tone but without breaking any rules, has come to entertain and succeeds, without breaking any molds.

Enjoy it!

Where to Watch “Running Point”

Netflix

“Demon City”: John Wick-style Revenge Comes to Netflix

“Demon City” is a Netflix movie starring Toma Ikuta with Masahiro Higashide, Miou Tanaka, and Ami Touma. It is written and directed by Seiji Tanaka.

“Demon City” arrives on Netflix with the boldest, most violent, and daring style of recent Japanese manga and cinema: a mix of heart-pounding action and thriller in the purest John Wick fashion – a tale of vengeance where, rest assured, blood will flow in abundance.

The film is a live-action adaptation of Masamichi Kawabe’s acclaimed manga that has kept readers on the edge of their seats since 2020. Directed by Seiji Tanaka, known for his work on “Melancholic,” “Demon City” follows the turbulent story of Shuhei Sakata, played by Toma Ikuta. Sakata, wrongfully accused of murdering his wife and daughter, spends 15 years confined in a prison hospital, incapacitated and seemingly defeated. However, when he regains his physical abilities, he embarks on a relentless quest for revenge that promises to keep viewers glued to their screens.

The cast includes Matsuya Onoe as Ryu Sonohara, the ambitious mayor behind Japan’s first tourist resort and casino; Masahiro Higashide in the role of Kanta Fuse, a controversial head of security; Masanobu Takashima as Detective Kotaro Shinozuka; and Mio Tanaka playing Homare Takemoto, a local cleaner with connections to the criminal underworld. These characters are part of a sinister organization that secretly controls the city of Shinjo, adding layers of intrigue and corruption to the already tense narrative.

Demon City – Netflix

About the Movie

“Demon City” has a very retro feel, like an eighties movie full of non-stop action that stayed just long enough in our memory. Thus, comparisons will be more than evident: the story reminds us of John Wick and, as the plot evolves, the similarities are repetitive. Therefore, “Demon City” becomes a feast for fans of classic Asian action cinema: uncompromising and with all the emphasis on orchestrated action sequences that, as usual, are almost a choreography of kicks, sword slashes, and gunshots.

“Demon City” knows how to give the audience what it wants and does so in the most classic sense of recent cinema. The manga concluded in 2024, and now this Netflix release serves to revive this Japanese pop culture hit, bringing it to the screen and giving it a modern yet classic twist.

Looking for an action and revenge movie with a classic story flavor? “Demon City” may not revolutionize the idea of the action genre, but it provides guaranteed entertainment for fans.

Enjoy it!

Where to Watch “Demon City”

Netflix

Netflix releases “Miss Italia Mustn’t Die”, a documentary about the controversial Italian beauty pageant

“Miss Italia Mustn’t Die” is a documentary directed by Pietro Daviddi and David Gallerano.

Netflix launches “Miss Italia Mustn’t Die”, a new documentary that plunges us deep into the controversy: Do beauty pageants promote an erroneous stereotype of women? Do beauty contests “objectify” women? “Miss Italia Mustn’t Die” delves into one of the world’s oldest beauty pageants, with 84 years of history.

The documentary introduces Patrizia Mirigliani, a central figure in the pageant’s organization, who offers an intimate look at the challenges and criticisms the event faces in the modern era. Through her perspective, the documentary examines the evolution of the contest and its place in contemporary Italian society.

Patrizia, daughter of the contest’s founder, immerses us in contradiction and controversy: her family history, relationships with her children, and a overcome illness.

“Miss Italia Mustn’t Die” showcases a pageant that seems from another era, with judges who appear to be from a different time: old visions and classic stereotypes confronted with feminist perspectives and state policies.

The contest’s great drama occurred when RAI (Italian public television) removed Miss Italy from its broadcasts, plunging the pageant into a major crisis from which it’s trying to recover: Is there space for a beauty pageant on a country’s public television?

The documentary tackles the controversy with impartiality, showing us Patrizia Mirigliani acting as a guide on this journey through a contest that, for many, represents the exaltation of female beauty and, for others, something retrograde and out of time.

The controversy is served.

Enjoy it!

Where to Watch “Miss Italia Mustn’t Die”

Netflix

“A Copenhagen Love Story”: A Danish Love and Fertility Story on Netflix

“A Copenhagen Love Story” is a Netflix romantic movie starring Rosalinde Mynster and Joachim Fjelstrup. It is based on the novel by Tine Høeg.

“A Copenhagen Love Story” is a moving exploration of the complexities of modern love and fertility challenges. Based on Tine Høeg’s novel, the series follows the story of Emil, a single father, and Mia, a writer, as they navigate the turbulent waters of building a life together while trying to have a child.

“A Copenhagen Love Story” takes us into a realistic yet intimate cinematic composition. The film attempts to sidestep cinematic stylizations to delve into the couple’s psychology, placing the narrative emphasis on the script rather than aesthetic aspects: a realistic approach that puts characters above aesthetics.

Directed by the creative trio of Ditte Hansen, Louise Mieritz, and Jenny Mattesen, the film addresses the dynamics of blended families and the obstacles couples face in their quest to expand their family. The protagonists, played by Joachim Fjelstrup and Rosalinde Mynster, face the arduous task of keeping their relationship alive while dealing with the emotional and physical challenges of fertility treatments.

The plot centers on how the couple’s initial happiness is put to the test when they decide to undergo fertility treatments to have children of their own. This process not only affects their daily routine but impacts every aspect of their life together, challenging the strength of their love and the stability of their newly formed family.

“A Copenhagen Love Story” presents itself as a work that balances drama and romance, offering a realistic portrayal of the pressures faced by modern couples. The series also features a cast of supporting actors including Mille Lehfeldt, Sara Fanta Traore, and Magnus Haugaard, who bring to life characters that enrich the main narrative.

If you’re one of those viewers who seek true, realistic stories with a sincere touch, “A Copenhagen Love Story” is Netflix’s offering this Wednesday. Enjoy it!

Where to Watch “A Copenhagen Love Story”

Netflix

Trailblazer: Daisy Ridley Stars in Groundbreaking VR Experience

Singer Studios has announced the upcoming release of “Trailblazer,” a virtual reality experience that promises to transport viewers back to 19th century Germany. The project, helmed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Eloise Singer, stars Daisy Ridley of “Star Wars” fame and tells the story of Bertha Benz, a pioneering figure in automotive history.

The VR experience focuses on Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz, inventor of the Motorwagen. While her husband grappled with self-doubt, Bertha took matters into her own hands. She embarked on a daring 120-kilometer journey, effectively conducting the world’s first road trip and showcasing the revolutionary vehicle to a skeptical public and press.

Daisy Ridley

Director and Executive Producer Eloise Singer expressed her connection to the subject matter. “Bertha’s story struck a chord with me the moment I first read about her,” Singer stated. “This wasn’t just a test drive of the world’s first car; it was a daring statement about innovation and tenacity which changed the course of history.”

The project boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated Lesley Paterson, known for her work on “All Quiet on the Western Front,” alongside Daisy Ridley and Eloise Singer herself, who previously received an Emmy nomination for “The Pirate Queen.”

“Trailblazer” has already garnered critical acclaim, having premiered at the Venice Film Festival and SXSW. The experience has been praised for its innovative storytelling approach and immersive design, allowing users to step into Bertha’s world, explore her workshop, and assemble the engine that would change transportation forever.

Ridley, who portrays Bertha Benz in the experience, shared her thoughts on the project. “Bertha’s determination and courage are incredibly inspiring,” the actress said. “It’s been such a privilege to step into her world and help tell her story. I hope audiences are as moved by her journey as I was while working on this project.”

Credit: Singer Studios. [Description: Exterior shot of a road fork]

The VR experience is just the beginning of what Singer Studios envisions as the “Trailblazer” franchise. Plans are in place to expand the story into a graphic novel series and a feature film, all executive produced by Singer, Paterson, and Ridley. These additional projects aim to delve deeper into Bertha Benz’s extraordinary journey and her lasting impact on history.

“Trailblazer” represents a confluence of historical significance and cutting-edge technology. By utilizing virtual reality, the creators aim to offer an unprecedented level of immersion into Bertha Benz’s world, allowing viewers to experience firsthand the challenges and triumphs of her groundbreaking journey.

The VR experience “Trailblazer: The Untold Story of Mrs Benz” is scheduled for release on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3 on March 7, 2025. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how audiences will respond to this innovative approach to historical storytelling and whether it will indeed blaze a trail for future VR experiences in the realm of biographical narratives.

Credit: Singer Studios. [Description: Interior Shot of a Furnace in the Benz Workshop]Credit: Singer Studios. [Description: Interior Shot of a Furnace in the Benz Workshop]

Triple Canopy and Rivers Institute Collaborate on Black Electronic Music Series

Triple Canopy, a multimedia magazine, and Rivers Institute, a cultural organization for artists of the global diaspora, have joined forces to present “Living Equipment,” a series of events exploring the roots and impact of Black electronic music. The series, hosted by Ryan C. Clarke, a New Orleans-based tonal geologist, writer, and curator at Dweller Electronics, will feature conversations, listening sessions, and performances that delve into the minor histories and widespread reverberations of Black electronic music.

Clarke describes his approach as “intertextual and decolonial,” blending Earth sciences with cultural critique and communal storytelling. The events are designed as “live mixtapes,” bringing together musicians, artists, DJs, and critics to engage in public discourse and musical exploration.

The series will take place across multiple venues in New York City and New Orleans, with participants including artist and filmmaker Ephraim Asili, artist and DJ Yulan Grant (SHYBOI), Discwoman co-founder and Dweller Electronics founder Frankie Decaiza Hutchinson, and artist, writer, and housing advocate Rasheedah Phillips (Black Quantum Futurism), among others.

“Living Equipment” aims to trace the migrations and mutations of Black music, emphasizing the role of geography in shaping and circulating the cultural traditions that gave birth to techno and house. The events will treat Black music and speech as “equipment for living,” a concept borrowed from critic Albert Murray, exploring how these forms represent difficult conditions while providing strategies for overcoming them with dignity and grace.

The series will cover a wide range of topics, including the preindustrial roots of electronic music, the audibility of ecological crisis, club architecture, the mathematics of sequencing, the dancer-DJ feedback loop, and sampling as a form of assemblage.

Alexander Provan, Triple Canopy’s editor, notes that Clarke’s work exemplifies the kind of criticism the magazine supports, describing it as “a way of thinking about music that not only draws on but also feeds back into the social experience of sound.” Andrea Andersson, founding director and chief curator of Rivers, adds that the partnership between Rivers and Triple Canopy affirms the migrational spirit of Clarke’s work, which involves exchanges of histories, tempos, and ways of organizing in community.

The “Living Equipment” series is sponsored by a Humanities New York Action Grant and Critical Minded, an initiative to invest in cultural critics of color cofounded by the Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Ford Foundation. All events are free and open to the public.

The series is scheduled to begin on March 16, 2025, with six events in New York City running through March 29, 2025. Additional events are planned for New Orleans in May and September of the same year.

Ceramic Artist John Gill Showcases New Works at Yossi Milo Gallery

Renowned ceramic artist John Gill is set to present his latest collection of dynamic ceramic works in a solo exhibition at Yossi Milo Gallery. The show, titled “WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?”, features new and recent pieces that continue Gill’s exploration of the vessel form, pushing the boundaries of functionality and embracing a postmodern aesthetic.

Gill, who has been a celebrated figure in the field of ceramics for over half a century, is known for his innovative approach to traditional forms such as vases, ewers, bottles, and platters. His work is characterized by a joyful collision of color, texture, and form, often prioritizing artistic expression over discernible utility.

The artist’s process involves a time-tested hand-building method, where he joins and manipulates innumerable clay slabs to construct the body of each piece. Gill describes his approach as intuitive, stating, “I hate to just execute a piece. Instead, I ask the clay, what do you want to be?” This negotiation between artist and medium results in works that seem to burst into existence fully formed, belying the complex process of their creation.

The exhibition includes a grouping of monumental vases and covered jars created over the past three years. These vessels are intricate both inside and out, showcasing architectural grandeur on a miniature scale. Gill’s larger open forms are particularly noteworthy, as he approaches them from every possible angle, rotating them as though in zero gravity and building without a defined top or bottom.

Color plays a crucial role in Gill’s work. The artist likens his process to that of a painter, drawing inspiration from his surroundings to inform his use of light and color in three-dimensional space. His ceramics synthesize diverse art historical lineages, employing sensibilities that range from Impressionist to Pop, from Fauvist to Abstract Expressionist.

John Gill’s work has been widely exhibited in the United States and abroad, with pieces in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous accolades, including induction into the International Academy of Ceramics in Geneva and election as a Fellow at the American Crafts Council.

The exhibition “WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?” will open with an artist’s reception on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM, and will remain on view through Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Yossi Milo Gallery.

Portrait of John Gill