Resistance
Directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz
★★★

When you think of Marcel Marceau you probably think world famous mime artist, not French Resistance fighter who helped over a hundred Jewish children escape from the Nazis to safety in Switzerland.

But writer-director Jonathan Jakubowicz’s poignant drama shines a much needed light on this little known but awe-inspiring real-life story with the help of a fine international cast.

Spanning from 1938 to 1945, the film follows Marceau (Jesse Eisenberg), known as Marcel Mangel, a young, aspiring actor playing in burlesque clubs in Strasbourg, France. He paints sets for his act, antagonises his obstinate butcher father (Karl Markovics) and flirts with political activist Emma (Clemence Poesy).

In a bid to impress her he agrees to lend her a hand finding shelter for 123 Jewish orphans and, a year later, leads them to a safe haven in the south of France as the whole of Strasbourg is evacuated before being invaded by the Germans a few weeks later.

Becoming a master forger in ID papers and passports, and waking up to the horrors of Nazi occupation, Marceau decides to fight back and joins the French Resistance in Lyon with his brother (Felix Moati), Emma and her friend Mila (Vica Kerekes).

Although the film seems like a predictable war drama at times, it is lifted by the performances of its eclectic cast. In particular Eisenberg (inspired casting) and a chilling Matthias Schweighofer as the “butcher of Lyon,” the charismatic Klaus Barbie, who would skin a prisoner alive and then happily dine with his wife and baby daughter.

Resistance is another extraordinary tale of wartime heroism, and a timely reminder – in these troubled times – of the difference we can make fighting injustice and racism.

Available on video on demand June 19.

On a Magical Night
Directed by Christophe Honore
★★★★

Only the French can pull off a “menage a quatre” with a supernatural twist, style and panache and make a believable case that adultery is good for the health of a long-term marriage.

Maria (a sublime Chiara Mastroianni) and Richard’s (Benjamin Biolay) 25-year marriage is rocked when he discovers she’s been having an affair with a student. She leaves and spends the night in the hotel across the road, from where she observes her crushed husband and dissects their union.

She is aided by the ghost of a 20-year-old Richard (Vincent Lacoste), who takes her on a guided tour of all her past lovers and introduces her to the former love of his life, his erstwhile piano teacher (Camille Cottin), who wants to meet up with the older Richard.

Writer-director Christophe Honore’s comedy of sexual errors and infidelities is a magical romp and a totally riotous hoot – clearly what we could all do with right now.

Available on Curzon Home Cinema June 19.

The Day After I’m Gone
Directed by Nimrod Eldar
★★★

A middle-aged widower has to contend with a suicidal teenage daughter in this very understated, but nevertheless hugely powerful, drama and debut feature by Nimrod Eldar.

The film deals poignantly with loss, grief and the problems of dealing with troubled teenagers.

After 17-year-old Roni (Zohar Meidan) takes an overdose and survives, her father Yoram (Menashe Noy), a veterinarian at a complete loss, takes her to his in-laws (whom he detests) to seek help.

The drama explores the grief and pain both Roni and Yoram have been suffering after her mother’s death a year earlier as well as the growing chasm between father and daughter.

It is a very promising first feature by Eldar and it will be interesting to see what he does next.

Available on video on demand June 18.

7500
Directed by Patrick Vollrath
★★★

When terrorists try to seize control of a Berlin-Paris flight mid-air, the lives of the passengers and crew are in the hands of the young American co-pilot in this nail-biting and heart-pounding thriller.

This isn’t another case of the Americans saving the day all guns blazing, but a thought-provoking drama about the ethical dilemmas faced by pilots in this scenario.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who virtually carries the film single-handedly, gives a powerhouse performance as the mild mannered co-pilot who cannot let the terrorists into the cockpit at any cost. His resolve is severely tested when they threaten to kill hostages.

This wonderfully tense and riveting debut feature from co-writer/director Patrick Vollrath takes place solely in the plane’s cockpit, giving it a stagy feel and at times it looks and seems like a two-hander play.

Though you know the final destination, it is nevertheless an acting masterclass.

Available on Amazon Prime June 19.

The Ascent (15)
Directed by Tom Paton
★★★

A special ops squad sent into a civil war to retrieve intel find themselves on a never-ending staircase from hell in this gripping action thriller written and directed by Tom Paton.

The team commit a crime which they are forced to relive. Trapped on the stairs they are faced with either climbing down to their deaths or continuing up and revisiting their sins in a bid to achieve redemption. You feel their horror and their frustrating pain.

Is this a form of purgatory or just hell?

It is a fascinating but simple premise, devilishly executed.

Available on video on demand June 15.

The Ground Beneath My Feet
Directed by Marie Kreutzer
★★★

A high-powered business consultant finds herself struggling to stop her professional and personal lives crashing together in this rich and complex drama about the pressures of trying to have it all.

Workaholic Lola’s very controlled life begins to unravel when her older sister Conny (Pia Hierzegger), who suffers from schizophrenia, attempts to kill herself.

Lola (Valerie Pachner) finds herself juggling a major project at work which will lead to a huge promotion, a secret affair with her female boss Elise (Mavie Horbiger) and visits to Conny in hospital (which she also keeps quiet about in the office).

Pachner is wonderfully cold and emotionally detached as the ruthlessly ambitious Lola, who works and plays hard with Elise. Her breakdown and fall from grace is staggering to watch.

But this isn’t a straightforward drama about work, family and mental illness – writer-director Marie Kreutzer hurls in a few curveballs to throw things off kilter.

It is a film that will keep you guessing till the very end.

Available on video on demand June 15.

The Wishmas Tree (U)
Directed by Ricard Cusso
★★★

The importance of inclusivity, understanding and getting on with others is paramount in this vibrant and magical Australian animated feature; a young possum whose desire for a white Wishmas puts her town and all its residents in danger.

By selfishly taking the last flower from the Wishmas Tree, which is forbidden, Kerry (Miranda Tapsell) brings a perpetual winter wonderland to Sanctuary City and the threat of the villainous Extinction to the community.

So she embarks on a dangerous quest with the town’s weird reptile leader Yarra (Ross Noble) to seek the mythical sister Wishmas Tree to save Sanctuary City.

Full of cute and colourful characters this animated feature will appeal more to a younger audience, although very young kids might find some scenes a little distressing.

This is no Disney Pixar film, but it is sweet and well meaning – its heart is definitely in the right place.