Critics’ picks, June 21–27, 2012

1. Declaration of War
Dir. Valérie Donzelli. 2011. N/R. 100mins. In French with subtitles. Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm, César Desseix, Elina Löwensohn.
In reenacting the parental nightmare they endured in real life, Donzelli and Elkaïm have made a triumphantly cathartic drama about the tenacity of familial love under extreme circumstances. Available on Amazon Instant Video and Netflix Watch Instantly.

2. Leap Year
Dir. Michael Rowe. 2010. N/R. 94mins. In Spanish with subtitles. Monica del Carmen, Gustavo Sánchez Parra.
Del Carmen delivers a fearless breakout performance as a Mexican journalist exorcising personal demons through a sadomasochistic affair. Not for the weak of stomach—or those expecting an Amy Adams romcom. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly and VUDU.

3. Extraterrestrial
Dir. Nacho Vigalondo. 2011. N/R. 90mins. In Spanish with subtitles. Julián Villagrán, Michelle Jenner, Raúl Cimas.
Timecrimes director Vigalondo uses an alien invasion as the pretext for a claustrophobic infidelity comedy. Available on demand widely; see focusfeatures.com/focusworld for details.