She Monkeys (SE, 2011)

Unaware that this was a one-off, and having simply asked for 'one for the 18:40 show', soon realised that this wasn't the film I thought I had gotten a ticket for. It was well worth staying for though, and it's great when that happens.

She Monkeys is a reasonably stated, in places quite nicely shot, low-key 'slice of life' in a small nondescript Swedish town, centering around the attraction/rivalry between Emma and Cassandra, 2 teenage equine gymnasts. Evidence here of a new, original vision, and definitely deserving of a higher rating on IMDB.

Elles (FR, 2011)

A journalist (Juliette Binoche) reports on 2 young students who turn tricks to make ends meet, starts to lose the run of herself. Several sex acts are depicted, and from one of the girls there is the impression that she relishes her work, but nothing is ever presented in a lurid or judgmental fashion. The cool and inscrutable Binoche's descent into niggly malaise doesn't 'link' all that well with her professional subject however, perhaps they were coincidental....

Showing as part of QFT's 'Talking Movies' slot, it's a serious film, and judging by the academic introduction, will have provided ample ammunition for the debate scheduled to follow it. Not that that makes a great film. 6/10.