MSPIFF 2026 Showcases Diverse Lineup of International Films

Dispatch 1 highlights three standout selections from the 45th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:52pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in high-contrast red and white, conceptually representing the diverse range of films at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.The 45th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival presents a vibrant lineup of boundary-pushing international cinema.Minneapolis Today

The 45th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF45) is underway, running from April 8-19. This first dispatch covers three films from the festival's diverse lineup: the French New Wave-inspired 'Erupcja', the political satire 'Eagles of the Republic', and the Gothic horror tale 'Mārama'.

Why it matters

MSPIFF is one of the Midwest's premier film festivals, bringing a wide range of international cinema to local audiences. These three films exemplify the festival's commitment to showcasing thought-provoking, artistically ambitious works that challenge viewers and expand the boundaries of filmmaking.

The details

Erupcja, directed by American filmmaker Pete Ohs, is a pastiche of French New Wave techniques, following a British woman's romantic entanglement in Warsaw. Eagles of the Republic, from director Tarik Saleh, is a dark comedy about a celebrity actor forced to play the Egyptian president in a state-backed film. Mārama, the feature debut of director Taratoa Stappard, is a Gothic horror tale exploring cultural appropriation and colonialism.

  • MSPIFF45 runs from April 8-19, 2026.
  • Erupcja, Eagles of the Republic, and Mārama were all screened during the festival's first week.

The players

Pete Ohs

An Ohio-born American filmmaker known for music videos and a few features, including Jethica (2023).

Tarik Saleh

A director who has made several films about political corruption and intrigue in Egypt.

Taratoa Stappard

A New Zealand filmmaker making his feature directorial debut with the Gothic horror film Mārama.

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What they’re saying

“Erupcja plays like a modern arthouse pastiche from Eastern Europe. But it was made by Pete Ohs, an Ohio-born American filmmaker known for music videos and a few features.”

— Brian Eggert, Film Critic

“Eagles of the Republic confronts the idea that art can be apolitical, as some filmmakers have recently argued. But such claims are either naive or deceptive.”

— Brian Eggert, Film Critic

“Mārama imbues the brooding, slow-burning premise with the usual trappings of Gothic horror. Cinematographer Gin Loane creates familiar yet bold imagery.”

— Brian Eggert, Film Critic

What’s next

The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival will continue through April 19, with additional dispatches and full-length reviews of other MSPIFF releases to be published on deepfocusreview.com in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

MSPIFF45 is showcasing a diverse array of international films that challenge viewers and push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, from the French New Wave-inspired 'Erupcja' to the political satire of 'Eagles of the Republic' and the Gothic horror of 'Mārama'.