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Black Conflux

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Wikipedia article




'Black Conflux' is a 2019 Canadian drama film directed by Nicole Dorsey.Norman Wilner, [https://nowtoronto.com/movies/tiff2019/tiff-review-black-conflux/ "TIFF review: Black Conflux"]. 'Now', August 27, 2019. The film stars Ella Ballentine as Jackie, a teenage girl in Newfoundland and Labrador whose quest for independence leads her into the orbit of Dennis (co-star Ryan McDonald), a mentally unstable and potentially violent man in his twenties.Matt Bobkin, [https://exclaim.ca/film/article/tiff_review_black_conflux_is_a_heartfelt_coming-of-age_movie_undone_by_its_own_premise-directed_by_nicole_dorsey "TIFF Review: 'Black Conflux' Is a Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Movie Undone by its Own Premise"]. 'Exclaim!', September 4, 2019.

The cast also includes Luke Bilyk, Olivia Scriven, Sofia Banzhaf and Lawrence Barry.

The film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival,Nikki Baughan, [https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/black-conflux-toronto-review/5142001.article "Black Conflux: Toronto Review"]. 'Screen Daily', September 6, 2019. and was commercially screened on the Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox in 2021.David Davidson, "Black Conflux heralds arrival of a stunning new Canadian talent". 'The Globe and Mail', July 2, 2021.

Production



A key scene in the film is set to Gowan's 1987 single "Moonlight Desires".Brad Wheeler, [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/article-moonlight-desires-granted-behind-the-greatest-soundtrack-moment-in/ "Moonlight desires, granted: Behind the greatest soundtrack moment in recent Canadian film history"]. 'The Globe and Mail', July 3, 2021. The film also alludes to Brian Damude's 1975 thriller film 'Sudden Fury', with a scene in which Dennis is watching the film on video.

Critical response



Norman Wilner of 'Now' gave the film a four-N rating, writing that "while Black Conflux functions primarily as a character study (with excellent work from the leads, and strong support provided by Olivia Scriven and Sofia Banzhaf), its also about showing us the environment that shapes those characters and the odds against their ever escaping it." Nikki Baughan of 'Screen Daily' also reviewed the film positively, stating that the film "doesnt offer anything groundbreaking in terms of its narrative, but is nevertheless a striking calling card for its talented maker."

Matt Bobkin of 'Exclaim!' was more critical, asserting that "the film's strong beginning and middle showcases plenty of strengths: strong acting, natural dialogue and rich cinematography", but concluding that it was ultimately undermined by an anticlimactic ending.

Stephan Dalton of 'The Hollywood Reporter' wrote the first International review and praised the film for its "strong visual aesthetic, and "sufficient depth and polish to secure more festival bookings. The review takes note of cinematographer Marie Davignon's "gorgeous imagery, actor Ella Ballentine's "luminous acting", and notes about director Nicole Dorseys work that even if this deceptively artful debut feels a little muted and unpolished in places, it is plainly the work of a skilled filmmaker with ample future potential.Stephen Dalton [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/black-conflux-review-1240270 "'Black Conflux': Film Review | TIFF 2019"]. 'The Hollywood Reporter', September 17, 2019.

David Davidson of 'The Globe and Mail' praised the film, writing that "it is rare for a first feature to be so well directed, thoughtful and entertaining" and comparing it to Anne Wheeler's 1986 film 'Loyalties' and Lynne Stopkewich's 2000 film 'Suspicious River' "with their atmosphere of dread and depiction of rural life as a hotbed of sexual fantasies and violence".

Awards



In December 2019, the film was named to TIFF's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list.Norman Wilner, [https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/tiff-top-10-canadian-films-2019/ "TIFF announces Canada's top 10 films of 2019"]. 'Now', December 11, 2019.

The film received two Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 8th Canadian Screen Awards in 2020, for Best Actor (McDonald) and the John Dunning Best First Feature Award.Norman Wilner, [https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/canadian-screen-awards-nominations-2020/ "Canadian Screen Awards 2020: Prepare for a Schitt's show"]. 'Now', February 18, 2020.

References




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