MARLINA THE MURDERER IN FOUR ACTS (MARLINA SI PEMBUNUH DALAM EMPAT BABAK) World Cinema

Pure, white-hot revenge has long been the cinematic domain of stoic men. Enter the commanding force of Marlina. After roving bandits arrive at her isolated Indonesian cabin to rape her and steal her belongings, this resourceful heroine gets the upper hand and exacts glorious, gruesome retribution. Setting out on foot — and with the head of one of the bandits in a shopping bag — she roams the countryside, haunted by ghosts and unable to bring closure to her vengeance. A modern feminist Western from an unlikely corner of the world, Mouly Surya’s accomplished third feature cements her as one of the most exciting filmmakers working today. – Lane Kneedler