Welcome to Part One of what will be an epic saga that chronicles and collates my thoughts on the feature films I have been watching during the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival. One of the most intriguing things about SIFF is the endless amount of diverse voices creating just about any type of movie you can think of and telling every type of story imaginable.
Capsule Reviews:
- Ka Whawhai Tonu: Struggle Without End
- Four Mothers
- 40 Acres
Ka Whawhai Tonu: Struggle Without End
Director: Michal Jonathan
Cast: Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, Jason Flemyng, Paku Fernandez, Hinerangi Harawira-Nicholas
Review:
This is an historical war drama set during the 1864 Battle of Ōrākau in New Zealand. It's unfortunate that tales of colonialism seem to be eternally timely and yet here we are, learning about yet another instance of exploitation and the ravaging of indigenous people and lands. This is also Michael Jonathan's debut feature film as a director and he really does a great job bringing this story to life.
Four Mothers
Director: Darren Thornton
Cast: James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Paddy Glynn, Dearbhla Molloy, Stella McCusker
Review:
In talking with one of my fellow film critics about this movie, the one word that we unanimously agreed suited this movie perfectly was pleasant. The story is solid and there are several really fun moments, mostly involving the budding camaraderie between the quartet of ladies although I never really felt the strong emotional punch I was hoping for. Still, this is a movie I would recommend checking out, just for fun light, whimsical fun.
40 Acres
Director: R.T. Thorne
Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Kataem O'Connor, Michael Greyeyes, Milcania Diaz-Rojas, Leenah Robinson
Review:
This movie will get a wide release this summer and I'm really hoping people will give it a chance while it's in theaters as the experience I had watching it was one of the better to come along so far this year. I'll be writing a full review later but just know that this movie is intense from start to finish, the pacing never lags, and the acting is more than what I was expecting from a post apocalyptic attack of the cannibals type action movie. Yes, you read that right.
Visit the official SIFF How to Fest web page for detailed info on how to make the most of your festival experience and to keep track of all my SIFF reviews and festival coverage please go to: TheTwoOhSix at SIFF 2025.
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