By Beth Accomando

August 13, 2025

Since this is my first film review for Vanguard Culture, I just wanted to start with a brief introduction. As far back as I can remember, I have always been obsessed with film. First it was something my dad and I bonded over, then I wanted to learn how to make films, then I wanted to write about them and show them. I don’t think “film critic” accurately describes what I do, instead I like to think of myself as a film activist who is out there every day championing film. That means I much rather be advocating for you to go out and see a movie than to be telling you to stay home and avoid one. But if a film is bad — or worse bland — then I will not hesitate to “let slip the dogs of war” on the offending work.

That said, first up I want to recommend Folktales (opening Friday at Digital Gym Cinema), an uplifting documentary from Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, the filmmakers behind Jesus Camp and The Boys of Baraka. Once again they turn their lens on a group of young people, this time it is teenagers attending a folk high school in Arctic Norway as they face harsh challenges out in the wilderness where they sometimes have only themselves and their sled dogs to rely on.

I have to confess that I have a hard time resisting films with dogs. The new Superman movie won me over with Krypto the Super Dog, and Folktales boasts a large pack of sled dogs that give the film a very warm heart indeed. In fact my main complaint is that the dogs don’t get enough screen time.

But the focus is on the humans  and the film zooms in on a trio of teenage students who have signed up for the grueling nine month program that will teach them how to build campfires, slaughter animals for food, and run a team of sled dogs. Hege is a 19-year-old woman whose father recently died, and part of her motivation is to reconnect with him through nature, which he loved. She pushes herself hard to step up to all the tasks given her. Romain, on the other hand, is full of self doubt and openly wonders if he made a bad choice by coming. He constantly questions whether he can succeed at any of the jobs assigned to him and keeps hoping the teachers will come to his rescue. But the staff insist he is quite capable and if they were to help, he would never learn. And then later in the film we meet Bjørn, who takes a much more positive attitude, and befriends Romain.

The school references myths about the Norse god Odin and the Norns, a trio of female beings who control the fate of all beings and are often depicted as spinners or weavers manipulating threads that represent life. The filmmakers use the idea of fate being like threads wound around the branches of trees to give the film a visual motif. It’s a bit of an obvious choice but it is rendered with sincerity and beauty so you can forgive its literalness.

I have to admit that there were occasional moments when the film depicts school rituals and I had flashbacks of Ari Aster’s disquieting Midsummer. I wondered if the story would take a dark turn and suddenly land in the horror genre. But have no fear, it does not and you will emerge from the film inspired and uplifted.

The filmmakers capture the breathtaking beauty of a sometimes unforgiving environment. They employ drone shots that work well at capturing the scale and splendor of the natural environment. They also have some doggie cams that allow us to view a sled ride from just behind the perky ears of a lead dog. The teachers point out that these hard-working and affectionate canines can unlock something in the students, and we get to see some bonds develop. But I do wish the dogs got to develop a little more personality rather than being more of a big furry pack. They seem so key to the students’ lives that they deserve to be main characters rather than just supporting players.

Folktales looks to a difficult transitional period for these teenagers and allows us to explore this unique program that strives to challenge these young people and force them to rely on themselves so that they will become stronger and more confident. You can see Hege, Romain and Bjørn change over the months in positive ways. This is a feel good film that earns its uplifting emotions through a lot of hard work.

Showtimes:
Friday, August 15, 2025: 4:30
Saturday, August 16, 2025: 11:30 AM
Sunday, August 17, 2025: 7:40
Monday, August 18, 2025: No showtimes
Tuesday, August 19, 2025: 4:30
Wednesday, August 20, 2025: No showtimes
Thursday, August 21, 2025: 7:15

I also want to highlight a few other options you have in this coming week. See It on 16 is run by Michael Aguirre, who has made it his mission to collect and screen 16mm film prints. I love his passion! And watching a film like Night of the Living Dead or Texas Chainsaw Massacre in a cinema where you can sometimes hear the purring of a 16mm projector is just divine. Aguirre works out of multiple venues, touring prints around. His next screening will be August 15 at The Art Theatre of Long Beach and he will be screening Brian DePalma’s 1976 adaptation of Stephen King’s “Carrie.” If you can’t check this event out, put See It on 16mm on your watchlist and make a point of seeking out one of his screenings at some point. Michael and the whole 16mm experience are fabulous.

Also of note, Shin Godzilla (2016), now in 4K, returns to cinemas for one week. The recent success of Godzilla Minus One in cinemas likely prompted this re-release. But Shin Godzilla absolutely merits being seen on the big screen. The film reaffirms that the Japanese understand Godzilla far better than the Americans. They understand that he is indestructible and a force of nature that you have to learn to live with. He is terrifying and magnificent to behold, and humankind has to take some responsibility for his existence. Godzilla was born out of Japan’s unique experience with the horrors of the atomic bomb and because of that, the best Godzilla films will always be from his place of birth where he is best understood and appreciated. The Godzilla of this film goes through an evolution to become a creature of fierce scale and devastating atomic breath. There is also a lot of humor as the film pokes fun at the government and bureaucracy. At one point there is a kind of military action score as the nerdy young team shuffles papers and move Xerox machines.

Ethan Van Thillo and Media Arts Center San Diego just kicked off their inaugural and free summer outdoor program, Chicano Film Series at Chicano Park, in partnership with Chicano Park Steering Committee and in celebration of Chicano Legacy Month. Coming up on Saturday is La Bamba by Chicano playwright and filmmaker LuisValdez . The film looks at the short, brilliant career of rock and roll legend Ritchie Valens (played by Lou Diamond Phillips). A perfect film to enjoy under the stars and sitting amongst the vibrant art work of Chicano Park.

Also a bit of shameless self-promotion. I am part of a volunteer group of film programmers called Film Geeks and we run year long film series at Digital Gym Cinema. We are currently in a year of neo noir alternating with international horror. Coming up on Sunday is the 1964 classic Japanese ghost story anthology Kwaidan, now restored to its original four stories. The film will be introduced by professor Ramie Tateishi who presented the films in our Godzilla series from last year. Tickets are almost sold out online but there are usually a few tickets available at the door. The screening is Sunday at noon and I always bake themed treats to go with the films.

Showtimes:
Sunday, August 17, 2025: 12:00

If you are a fan of Keanu Reeves then you can have a back-to-back helping of Keanu in Johnny Mnemonic at Digital Gym Cinema on August 19 followed by Popcorn Reef’s showing of Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey on August 20 at Regal Mira Mesa Theaters.

And finally, one last self promotional plug, Private Lives starring Norma Shearer will screen Thursday as part of the Athenaeum’s Flicks on the Bricks outdoor film series that I curated.