August 16th

BlacKkKlansman
Submergence
Keep the Change
C'est la Vie
The Living Universe
More MIFF

As MIFF moves towards the closing night denouement on the weekend, it's an exciting week of excellent releases for the mainstream cinema. A couple of these scored really highly with me. I decided to go live a day early so you can ponder your choices!

BlacKkKlansman

Director: Spike Lee
Length: 114 min

© Universal - these brave boys hatch a plan to
infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. 

These unbelievable events, set in the 1970s, are based upon the incredible, but  true, exploits of Ron Stallworth, the first Afro-American policeman on the Colorado Springs force. Eager to make his mark, Ron (played by John David Washington, (Denzel's son), decides to go undercover and infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. How can a black man do this, you may well ask. Playing a "twins"game, Ron co-opts fellow cop Flip (Adam Driver) to do the face-to-face bit while he talks on the phone. Together the guys get in way deeper than is safe or  comfortable. Washington and Driver are superb together. This is masterful film-making from Spike Lee, whose films I've always loved. Playing on the audacity and outrageousness of the mission alone, the motif of Afro hair and the stupidity of many of the Klansmen, a modicum of ongoing humour is injected. But this is ultimately a serious film. Lee bravely pulls no punches, opening with a vilely racist Alec Balwin spewing hate. The racism never lets up as Lee exposes in ignominious detail the Klansmen's evil pronouncements on anyone who is not white American. It's actually quite confronting to listen to. The politics of black power are also highlighted with a subplot of the rise of 1970s' student activism. The tension doesn't let up for a moment, as we fear for these brave policemen's lives. Supporting cast of Laura Harrier as Patrice Dumas, president of the Black Student Union, and Topher Grace as David Duke, Grand Klan Wizard are compelling, as are all the smaller roles. Pay careful attention to the final scenes pointing to the sobering reality of the mess of today's fraught world still battling race issues. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

Submergence
Director: Wim Wenders
Length: 112 min

© Backlot films - two fine acting performances in 

an odd but strangely compelling film

In a glorious Normandie hotel, two people meet. James (James McAvoy) is an MI6 agent, who will pose as a water engineer, to infiltrate terrorist organisations in Somalia. Dani (Alicia Vikander) is a bio-mathematician about to take a deep dive in a submersible to the bottom of the ocean floor, to research the building blocks of life. After a passionate liaison of only a few days, the pair must go their own ways, but they have fallen deeply for each other, with a promise to meet again. When Dani cannot contact James she doubts their love, but he has no way of telling her he is now a prisoner of brutal Jihadists. As each endures their own private challenges, it is as if they are linked in the mind by a spiritual connection. The time frame goes back and forth between the present and their first connections. Although the film is somewhat "airy-fairy" and waffles at times, there is something lovely, certainly visually beautiful, about it. I find myself believing their dramatically sudden love, and their philosophical ponderings feel real. Yes, the title is a fairly heavy-handed metaphor for many aspects of life and love, and despite the very uncertain ending, (isn't life uncertain?) I found it worth seeing, especially with such fine actors in the lead.
3 - recommended!

Keep the Change
Director: Rachael Israel
Length: 94 min
Exclusive to Classic Elsternwick, Belgrave Cameo and Lido Hawthorn. 

© JIFF Distribution - a delightful and very un-mainstream 
view of love in the Aspergers world

David (Brandon Polansky), the son of wealthy New York parents, has high functioning autism. When he falls foul of the police he is ordered to attend a support group which he deeply resents, defining himself as "normal". He is also desperate to fit into the mainstream, but endlessly alienates women he's met on the internet by telling inappropriate jokes. When he meets fellow group member Sarah (Samantha Elisofon), his life takes a different turn. Many  of us have preconceived ideas about people on the autism spectrum, and have possibly seen films like Rain Man and I am Sam (featuring non-autistic people in the lead roles). This film will blow all those ideas sky-high. For starters it uses people who actually are autistic/Asbergers in the lead roles. Polansky is a long-time friend of the director, and his insights and experiences are central to the film, making it truthful, endearing and  . . . well, simply amazing.  Aside from being a sweet and endearing rom-com, this film should go a long way to altering perceptions of people with differences, and really should be seen by as broad an audience as possible.
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

C'est la Vie
Director: Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano
Length: 115 min

© Madman - staff at an opulent wedding try to cope
with crazed costumes and unexpected dramas. 

Wedding planner Max (a wonderfully world-weary Jean Pierre Bacri) is near burnout and ready to sell his business. It doesn't help that this latest job is turning into the wedding from hell. First up, Max must contend with his argumentative assistant Adele (Eye Haidara), the wrong band, fronted by the arrogant James (Giles Lelouche), missing waiters and a tedious social climbing groom who has set the event in an 18th century chateau. As the evening progresses, things go increasingly wrong, while Max does the most incredible juggling act to try to pull it all together. I've never been a big fan of French comedy, but this one hit totally the right note for me, as well as having a depth to the characters not usual in this type of film. Each main character has some fatal, but very human flaw, and the revelation of these foibles, only enhances the plot. With the action confined to the stunningly photogenic chateau and taking place over one afternoon/evening, the film builds a magnificent momentum of unfortunate incidents, that never veer into farce, feel quite credible, yet had me chortling out loud. Best is that there is a truly warm sense of humanity and connectedness to the brilliant final scene that left me a very satisfied viewer.
4 - highly recommended! 

The Living Universe
Director: Alex Barry; Vincent Amouroux
Length: 90 min
Exclusive to Cinema Nova until 22nd August

© Nova - magnificent visuals and thought-provoking
discussion about what may one day be possible

Fans of space-based science fiction and science fact shouldn't miss this fabulous feature doco, exploring possibilities of finding life on exoplanets. These are planets way beyond our solar system, to which we can not yet travel, but are working on. Popular scientist Karl Kruszelnicki and Aussie astrophysicist Tamara Davis narrate a story of research, dreams and of possibilities, with additional commentary from some of the leading brain power in the field of space exploration. These interviews and insights are blended with a visual narrative of an imaginary spaceship, 150 years in the future, taking 50 years to travel to a planet four light years away. The machinery and technology required is discussed then digitally created, to make for a visually stunning viewing experience.
4 - highly recommended!  

More MIFF
The latest two docos I've managed to view have, unfortunately, come and gone. I mention them because, who knows, you may get a chance some other time to catch these bizarre films that make me question the sanity of the world.
People's Republic of Desire: In China online entertainment is huge, and young people flock to a social network site to perform, sing, chat - do anything to get zillions of fans who send "virtual gifts" which somehow translate in to real money. The tragedy is the people involved seem to have no real life beyond this compulsive, aimless desire for fame and fortune, and believe online connection is somehow a substitute for real human connection. Takes the Facebook phenomenon to new levels and is ultra-scary. 
Our New President: This Russian satirical doco is a bit of a crazed mish-mash using grabs from actual Russian TV shows, and clips from citizens who have something to say, all aimed at showing how the Clinton-Trump battle was seen through Soviet eyes. It's certainly very timely with the ongoing investigations into Russian involvement in the US election. The level of fake news and concocted lies is monumental, and when you think how many people believe it, it's gob-smacking. The film would have profited from an introductory narrative framework.
Footnote: some stunning films that have screened at MIFF will be heading to our cinemas over the next few months, so don't despair if you missed them.