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Maria Garcia

@reelcriticnyc.bsky.social

38 followers 29 following 160 posts

Film Critic, Feature Writer. Author, "Cinematic Quests for Identity" (Rowman and Littlefield, 2015). Website: http://mariagarciawrites.com Love cats, birding, classical music and the road not yet traveled.

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · Jun 5

See my Cineaste "web exclusive" review of Rungano Nyoni's "Becoming a Guinea Fowl," a standout at last year's NYFF62 and among the best films of 2024: www.cineaste.com/summer2025/o...

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl — Cineaste Magazine

www.cineaste.com

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 1d

Another despicable act against American citizens by a president who does not understand that his first duty is to protect us and our nation.

Senator Angela Alsobrooks @alsobrooks.senate.gov · 1d

The law is unequivocal: All furloughed and essential federal workers must receive back pay in the event of a government shutdown.

It is a sick thing for Republicans to shut down the government and then stiff the people who work hard for the American people.

Reposted by Maria Garcia

Democracy Now! @democracynow.org · 1d

A major immigration raid in Chicago last week led to dozens of arrests, including of green card holders and U.S. citizens. While the Trump administration has released a highly produced video of the raid, it still has not answered basic questions about the operation.

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 1d

Milagros Mumenthaler's strangely engaging film, "The Currents," at NYFF @filmlinc.bsky.social is about Lina, a successful fashion designer, wife and mother, whose attempted suicide begins her path to self-actualization. There is no catharsis beyond the enduring comfort of a creative life.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 6d

This afternoon I was walking past my neighborhood synagogue where three female guards were stationed. It made me sad that my neighbors live in fear. I stopped to speak with the young women because it seems urgent to speak to others in these dark days, especially to those who protect.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 6d

Mary Bronstein’s outstanding feminist view of the world (no exaggeration),"If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You," is playing at @filmlinc.bsky.social NYFF tomorrow with a post-screening Q&A. Warning: Leave husbands and kids at home. Reserve time for a drink before or after the movie.

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 6d

There is no way to measure the loss of certain souls, and this is true of Jane Goodall . . . but luckily there are movies. Here's my review (from Biography, 2017) of my favorite documentary about her: drive.google.com/file/d/1k4sj...

Jane PDF Review.pdf

drive.google.com

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 8d

French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski's new film at the @filmlinc.bsky.social NYFF is a playful mystery set in Paris. It stars Jodie Foster as an aging, inattentive (French speaking) psychologist, and Daniel Auteuil as her estranged husband. Think Fellini's "Juliet of the Spirits" with a female gaze.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 11d

❤️to everyone at @filmlinc.bsky.social NYFF starting with the Press Office, the folks who scan our badges & make sure we are at the right theater, John and Ava who answer the same questions every day, the staff who clean the theaters & find scarves, umbrellas and books. Often there is kindness, too.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 11d

Sepideh Farsi's doc, "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk"screening in October, is a Gaza story that will open in theaters. Seeing it at NYFF @filmlinc.bsky.social affords a special audience of ordinary NYers whose sympathies may differ but whose hearts will be unable to deny the truths it reveals.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 11d

Sharon Lockhart's "Windward" screens today & 9/28
@filmlinc.bsky.social NYFF, a fine example of cinema's largely unexplored possibilities. I first thought of windward v. leeward, the animate and inanimate. Found myself oddly disturbed by people animating shorelines in the film. I wanted space.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 11d

Sharon Lockhart's "Windward" screens today & 9/28 @filmlinc.bsky.social NYFF, a fine example of cinema's largely unexplored possibilities. I first thought of windward v. leeward, the animate and inanimate. Found myself oddly disturbed by people at shorelines in the film. I wanted only the sea.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 14d

If you can nab only one ticket at NYFF @filmlinc.bsky.social this year, screen Gianfranco Rosi's "Below the Clouds," a wonderful black and white documentary about Naples, Italy, one of the most captivating cities in the world. Clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF_R...

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 14d

A sublime performance by Italian actress Valeria Bruni Tedeschi is the reason to see Pietro Marcello's "Duse" at NYFF @filmlinc.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZX...

Duse new clip official from Venice Film Festival 2025 - 2/2

YouTube video by The Upcoming

www.youtube.com

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 14d

If you are a fan of Commedia all'italiana era, 1960s and 1970s, Francesco Sossai's "The Last One for the Road" is the @filmlinc.bsky.social NYFF film for you. Skillfully directed and acted, it features up and coming Fillippo Scotti as a college student schooled by 2 aging aging ne'er-do-wells.

Reposted by Maria Garcia

Wildlife @worldwildlife.bsky.social · 18d

Little Red Flying-fox (Pteropus scapulatus): 20cm (7.87in). This is a megachiropteran bat native to northern and eastern Australia. It weighs about half a kilogram, one pound, and is the smallest species of Pteropus in mainland Australia. Brilliant photo taken by Vivien Jones in Sydney, Australia 🦇

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Reposted by Maria Garcia

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 17d

The Big Fall Canvass continues on this gorgeous Sunday across the five boroughs.

Every door you knock, every conversation you start, every palm card you hand to a neighbor gets us one step closer to winning a city we can afford.

Sign up: zohranfornyc.com/bfcv

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Reposted by Maria Garcia

Democracy Now! @democracynow.org · 17d

Two recent cases in Chicago illustrate the terror and violence that Trump's crackdown is causing among immigrant communities.

ICE Kills Immigrant Dad After Traffic Stop, Detains Day Laborer Who Sued Chicago Cops

ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago is entering its second week of ramped-up immigration enforcement. Community members are mourning the loss of Silverio Villegas Gonzales, a 38-year-old single ...

www.democracynow.org

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Reposted by Maria Garcia

Wildlife @worldwildlife.bsky.social · 17d

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes): This 90cm (35in) species of fox is present across the entire northern hemisphere, Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. It is regarded as an invasive sp. in Australia where it was introduced. Fabulous Fox photo taken by Oli Berriman in the UK #foxoftheday #fox #foxes

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Reposted by Maria Garcia

I Quit Smoking 🚭 📚 🐕 @iquitcigs.bsky.social · 17d

Meanwhile in Canada

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Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · 17d

September is one of the busiest seasons for film critics. Press screenings at NYFF @filmlinc.bsky.social that I have been attending for decades, started last week. Most of us screen 4 films a day, dashing out for a meal at odd times, notes in hand for editing. A spot of sunlight & then anticipation.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · Aug 20

The Only Institution in America That Gets Better: Libraries. I went to the library today. Learned that NYPL has a Help Line! NYers have a wonderful library system, yet it operates on a pittance. If you want to feel hope these days, visit the library. You can't have a democracy without them.

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · Aug 18

My dad told me Jacks was not for girls! I paid no attention to that especially since I always beat my boy cousins. We played for pennies. Remember penny candies?

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · Aug 15

Do I have the the most polite cat of all times? I went to change the bed sheets and and found my cats' new toy on the bed. (Click to see it.) For anybody not schooled in CatSpeak, it translates to "Thanks, Mom!"

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · Aug 15

Revivals is one of my favorite sections at NYFF. Even after more than 30 years as a film critic, there are always surprises, filmmakers I've never heard of, and films I want to see on the big screen again: www.filmlinc.org/nyff/daily/6...

63rd New York Film Festival Revivals Announced

Revivals showcases 12 films that have been acclaimed for their innovation and significance or that were underappreciated in their time.

www.filmlinc.org

Maria Garcia @reelcriticnyc.bsky.social · Aug 15

These are the people that should be rounded up and thrown in jail for stupidity and cruelty. I would also lock them in the park for the night and throw away the keys: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/n...

The Fake Heiress, the Instagram Shoot and the Abandoned Bunnies