Václav Marhoul’s “The Painted Bird” is an impenetrable slog, a parade of agony that begins with a treasured pet being set on fire by village bullies, continues through numerous rape scenes, and fetishizes genocide and slaughter. An adaptation of the novel by Jerzy Kosiński (the subject of its own fair share of controversy, given its initial publication as an autobiographical text and later reveal as a possibly plagiarized work of fiction), “The Painted Bird” is the kind of exploitative cinema that thinks drowning its viewers in increasingly drastic scenes of torture and brutality is inherently righteous.

Continue reading ‘The Painted Bird’: A Grueling Deluge Of Human Misery With Little To Say About Life Itself [Review] at The Playlist.

IFC Films’ upcoming release, “The Painted Bird,” is a disturbing film. But that is to be expected when you have a black and white feature set during the end of World War I about a young boy that is on his own, trying to do whatever it takes to survive in the face of violence and brutality.

READ MORE: ‘Relic’ Trailer: Emily Mortimer Stars In The Breakout Horror Film From Sundance

And in an exclusive clip we are sharing with our readers, we’re able to take a peek at one of the incredibly disturbing moments in the film, featuring legendary actor Udo Kier.

Continue reading ‘The Painted Bird’ Exclusive Clip: Udo Kier Takes Part In A Disturbing Dinner In The New Black & White Drama at The Playlist.

Just last month, ABC News’ David Muir traveled back to the Nazi death camp Auschwitz with a number of individuals who had survived its incomprehensible horrors as children. 75 years have passed since the camp’s liberation. In all likelihood, the most profound moments of the journey back were the grown children venturing back into where the crematoria and gas chambers once stood and encouraging their children and grandchildren to do the same. They want future generations to never forget.

Continue reading ‘The Painted Bird’ Trailer: Director Vaclav Marhoul Tells A Story Of Hope In The Face Of The Holocaust at The Playlist.

We are currently in the dog days of summer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to the fall, specifically the best time of year for film fans — fall film festival season. And kicking it off right is perhaps the biggest fest of the season, Venice. With the initial lineup of films hitting Venice coming next week, we are starting to get word on which projects are likely going to Italy.

Continue reading ‘Joker,’ ‘Rambo,’ ‘Ad Astra,’ ‘Against All Enemies’ & More Are Poised For Venice Premieres at The Playlist.