Time Hoppers: The Silk Road review – plucky kids’ time travel yarn takes in medieval Baghdad

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Four children zip around to meet historical characters such as 9th-century mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, but there’s more educational value than entertainment value There are not many children’s animated adventures that include 9th-century Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age among their settings, or which can boast the historical figure Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi as a featured character. Who he? As one of a plucky quartet of gifted children explains, “That’s the father of mathematics! … he’s why we have algorithms!” This interesting backdrop is one of several – as the title suggests, the kids hop to different timelines – which is among the film’s strengths. Another boon are some pretty good Christmas-cracker style jokes, usually made in passing by background characters such as these two guards trading witticisms: “Why should you never race a Muslim during Ramadan? Because they fast.” Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/jEt57FX via IFTTT
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Chagrin Valley review – the ins and outs of care home life inside an uncanny artificial paradise

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Beneath painted skies and birdsong, film-maker Nathalie Berger’s observational documentary exposes hidden labour and quiet turmoil

In the main hall of the Lantern, a retirement home in Ohio’s Chagrin valley, the ceiling consists of glass panels painted to resemble blue skies. The chirping of birds wafts through the corridors, styled after the front porches of typical mid-century houses, except these are all indoors. Like the lighted roof, the sounds of nature are entirely artificial. For the residents of this care facility, such designs seek to inspire feelings of calm and familiarity, yet they also induce an atmosphere of uncanniness. Exploring the parallel worlds of the inhabitants and their caregivers, Nathalie Berger’s observational documentary finds real love and care in this strange simulacrum of home.

Captured in static vignettes, life at the Lantern appears quite tranquil. The retirees live together in a kind of resigned harmony. Some are bewildered as to why they are in a care home; others are confused about where they are. The temporary moments of crisis are framed with a sobering matter-of-factness, laying bare the inhabitants’ quiet turmoil.

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