An overarching theme of this film may be the media publishing industry as a whole, but it is essentially an intimate observation of the press trade at its roots: the newspaper kiosk.

In a wealthy area of Paris, filmmaker Alexandra Pianelli comes to help her mother, who by trade is a newspaper saleswoman occupying a small physical kiosk. Pianelli is an artist, but at the kiosk she gets behind the cash register just as her family before her have for nearly a century in this chic city location. While larger themes of publishing crises loom, and are explored, the documentation of relationships forged with regular customers is this film’s beating heart. 

The Kiosk is a playful demonstration of a family business pitted against larger powers, in the form of media shareholders, and how the latter manage the publishing crisis. The film is full of genuine moments that exude pleasant and vibrant humanity, though is perhaps a little overwhelmed at times with larger concepts. However, most of the concepts are fun and engaging, evident in director Pianelli’s creative use of props in such a small space. 

Mother and daughter combine in a humorous portrait of published press sales; there is the sense an entire world of wonderful imaginative things exists in this small space. In a 76-minute run time, Pianelli keeps audiences engaged with a lo-fi depiction of human connection that feels welcomed in the age of internet press. 

What makes The Kiosk successful is the endearing sincerity in its approach to informing audiences about the functions of this business and the wider world of press publishing. A pleasure to watch, the film humanises both everyday customers and major shareholders in a funny and captivating demonstration of simple and effective filmmaking. 

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Alexandra Pianelli

SYNOPSIS: An observation of work in a family-run newsstand in a chic Parisian suburb, the director spends time with her mother as they interact with everyday customers during a publishing crisis for the press.

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