The exuberant Whammy Alcazaren (Bold Eagle) offers an offbeat vision of tomorrow’s Philippines, a country devastated by climate change and institutional corruption. Against this speculative backdrop, students Jelson and Ipe train their bodies and minds to embrace eternity and to better withstand the aridity of both hearts and rivers.

In the 14th century, Julian experiences extraordinary visions, following which she decides to live in seclusion and utmost passion, determined to record her experiences. Inspired by the life of blessed anchoress Julian of Norwich, a mystic nun known as the first female author in the English language, this second feature film from critic and filmmaker Caroline Golum (A Feast of Man) is a surprising exercise in historical reconstruction and dialogue, re-situating the epistemology of radical thought within a resourcefully “DIY”, psychedelic Middle Ages, far removed from obscurantist clichés.

A barbarian (Jean-Marc Dalpé) believes he only has five erections left before dying. Condemned to live in a thrift store and haunted by a family tragedy, he sets his sights on Marie (Kayo Yasuhara), an alcoholic special education teacher. If he has to go, he might as well do it in good company. In the latest film by our most exceptional fabulist Olivier Godin (Il n’y a pas de faux métier;_ Les arts de la parole_), a slightly bawdy romantic comedy rubs shoulders with the everyday myths, through which our lives make sense—whether it is theatre or poetry, science fiction or kung fu fisticuffs. An ever more sophisticated, ever more vibrant amalgamation of genres, registers and sensibilities, culminating here in the director’s most tender work, a countdown to ecstasy, a love letter.