Wri/Dir: George Miller | Cast: Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba | Australia, Fantasy Drama, 118′
Best known for his groundbreaking saga Mad Max, Australian director writer George Miller turns his talents to another fantasy world with a fairy tale starring Tilda Swinton, in her second film at VENICE FILM FESTIVAL‘s 79th celebration.
Based on a short story by A S Byatt, she plays Dr Alithea Binnie who gets more that she bargained for after buying a trinket in a market stall on a visit to Istanbul. Polishing up the bauble back in her hotel bedroom out pops a djinn in the shape of Idris Elba, offering the good doctor three wishes in exchange for his freedom. The voluble djinn then rather outstays his welcome with endless exotic tales of his escapades in the style of the Arabian Nights. Certainly entertaining – up to a point – this is another enjoyable flight of fantasy with Tilda, and some spectacular special effects, stealing the show. MT
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL | 2022 | UK Cinemas from Friday, 2 September.