Melancholia

It may look distinctly unpromising - a British Film Institute/Channel 4 co-production with the most downbeat title since Despair - and yet this political thriller is extremely well made and becomes increasingly exciting. Jeroen Krabbé plays a German art critic whose old anarchist fervour is reignited by the opportunity to assassinate a member of the Chilean military, but with escalating consequences. Surprisingly, this is the only feature film directed by Andi Engel, a larger-than-life film distributor with a wealth of cinematic knowledge. Camera shots are full of sleek, clean lines, while well-chosen London locations make the city look great. And, whether intentionally or not, the suspense scenes bring to mind none other than the maestro himself, Alfred Hitchcock.