'Fjord', integration difficulties and moral dilemmas according to Cristian Mungiu

The Romanian director focuses on the cultural as well as ethical and religious differences between the countries represented, offering a profound and interesting perspective on sensitive issues, including the difficulty of integrating in a foreign country and the prejudices that can arise on either side.

The ending does not live up to the rest of the film, but it is still a film that confirms the narrative strength of a director who, even on location, definitely knows his stuff. In the cast Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan.

Delicate moral reflections were also offered in the Cannes competition by 'Paper Tiger' by James Gray, an American director who rehashes many of the themes typical of his cinema.

Set in New York in 1986, the film tells of two brothers, completely different from each other, who join forces to bring home what could be the biggest deal of their lives. In the middle, however, is the Russian mafia and a mistake made by one of the two, albeit in good faith, could cost the lives of his family and break the bond that unites the two brothers.

Picking up on elements of his debut 'Little Odessa' and the remarkable 'Masters of the Night', Gray brings to life a kind of Greek tragedy set in the years of Ronald Reagan's second term in office, and in which one can strongly perceive how he is once again recounting the decline of certain American ideals and dreams.

James Gray thinks a lot about the gaze (the two brothers and the wife of one of them collapse in moments in which they cannot see clearly what is in front of them) and gives several masterful sequences in which he plays with the light and shadows of photography in an extremely incisive manner. Here and there there are a few imperfections, but they are little compared to a powerful, well-written ensemble design enhanced by the performances of Adam Driver, Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson.

A mention also for 'Hope', a science fiction film directed by South Korean Na Hong-jin, which turned out to be a kind of alien object (in every sense of the word) of the Cannes competition.

In this long film (about 160 minutes), which is about an extraterrestrial landing and a real war that is established with the inhabitants of a village near the mountains, there is no shortage of action and fun, especially in the first hour, which is very fast-paced and expertly shot.

It is a pity, however, that in the long run the feature film is redundant and that some special effects leave a lot to be desired, as does a conclusion that remains too open to possible sequels. The mix of genres - in addition to science fiction there are westerns and zany comedy - is curious, but the result is not entirely excellent.