#FANTASIA: “THE COLUMNIST”

By Amanda Gilmore

Columnist Femke Boot (Katja Herbers) has had enough of internet trolls and has devised a plan to get her revenge.

This tightly-written film has an anti-heroine to root for. As a Columnist, Femke believes everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however, this belief changes once she begins receiving death threats and retched comments on Social Media. From there, we are taken on an entertaining satirical journey with the right amounts of Comedy and gore splashed throughout. Along the way the Filmmakers dangle important queries about freedom of speech, only giving ambiguous answers. Thus, prompting viewers to project their own convictions onto the narrative. And these convictions will repeatedly be challenged by the powerhouse performance from Herbers. What Femke’s doing is criminal, however, Herbers often persuades us onto her side.

The Columnist will be available on-demand through Fantasia Fest Aug 20 – Sept 2.