October 11th

Greek Film Festival 
First Man
Bad Times at the El Royale
Wajib
1%
In Like Flynn

It's another big week for films and festivals. The major pick from me is the opening night film of the Greek Film Festival, but if you missed the big bash, you can still catch it later. There's much buzz around Ryan Gosling's latest, the El Royale serves up a winning plot, a Palestinian film brings food for thought, and a couple of Aussie offerings join the party. 

Greek Film Festival

Melbourne October 10-21

Palace Como, Astor

For other states and dates see greekfilmfestival.com.au

With 16 feature films and a special Greek-Australian Short Film Festival, there is much to choose from. I've previewed a film that has affected me deeply; it is in fact the opening night film, but you'll have a couple more opportunities to catch it, which I strongly suggest you do. 

The Last Note

Dir: Pantelis Voulgaris

Length: 117 min

© Greek Film Festival - a magnificent, 
moving and human war story

Not many people know how horrifically the Greeks suffered under Nazi occupation during World War 2. In May 1944, the Nazis executed 200 men as a reprisal for the killing of four German officers. Based largely upon historical fact, the film focuses on Napoleon Soukatzidis, (Andreas Konstantinou), prisoner of the Chaidari concentration camp, who is forced to act as interpreter for the Camp Kommandant, and who must face the ultimate moral dilemma. Although the film deals with one of the significant moments in Greek history, it also brings a depth of humanity to all its characters, stressing particularly the pride and bravery of these men and also the many women imprisoned nearby who endured the German atrocities. Cinematography is exquisite, the period painstakingly recreated, and the acting, dialogue and overall feel of the film near flawless. But it's the emotional wallop that really makes The Last Note unforgettable. It reminds us, as so many holocaust films do, of the cruelty of war, which brings out the worst and best in human beings. Get the tissues ready!!

4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

First Man
Director: Damien Chazelle
Length: 138 min

© Universal - a compelling and strange mix
of painstaking steps and thrills! 

We all know the story: on July 20th 1969, the first human being set foot on the moon. Many films have been made about it, and no doubt will continue to be. The challenge is to make it fresh, and Chazelle does just that. He takes a two-pronged approach to his subject. First we have all the techno-logistics of getting the mission happening, and then there's the human side of the equation - the personal challenges for astronaut Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling), and his family, especially long-suffering wife Janet (Claire Foy). In the many scenes where the astronauts are in flight simulators, and then rockets, the camera swirls, vibrates and blurs the action so that strong stomachs are required - just like the spacemen needed! The painstaking steps, including tragedy, to actually achieve the successful mission, are a reminder of just how awesome this project was, and when it comes to the actual moon landing, the film still creates a sense of awe and wonder. However, it is the insight into the reclusive Armstrong's personality that is particularly intriguing - his emotionally-closed nature (perhaps exacerbated by the death of his daughter) makes him possibly the perfect "rocket man" - precise and calm under duress. The film offsets the scientific progress at NASA with the "normal" but tense lives lived by the worried families left behind. I can't imagine what was required to technically get this film happening, but it certainly makes for an impressive, and surprisingly stirring cinematic journey.
4 - highly recommended!

Bad Times at the El Royale
Director: Drew Goddard
Length: 140 min

© Fox - Jeff Bridges is as always a delight

to watch as he mumbles his way along. 

The now-faded motel El Royale has seen some action in its time but now it's rundown and almost empty - until one night when seven strangers meet, each carrying deep secrets: the hotel concierge Miles (Lewis Pullman), singer Darlene (Cynthio Erivo), priest Father Flynn (Jeff Bridges), vacuum cleaner salesman Laramie Sullivan (Jon Hamm) and surly Emily (Dakota Johnson). Emily's sister Rosie (Cailee Spaeny) and charismatic Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth) arrive a little later. To tell you what happens would spoil a cleverly-crafted plot, full of surprises, sudden unexpected violence, humour and a huge dollop of redemption. The enjoyment is in wondering - what is the past of each character, how are they connected (if at all) - and in not knowing what craziness will erupt next. Erivo's character does some great singing, and her performance is a standout. The rest of the cast are strong, with Hemsworth playing totally against type, his creepy, sexy Billy Lee mesmerising the viewer. The dialogue is smart, the retro setting meticulously crafted and shot, and although things take their time to unfold, I felt not a moment of boredom - I had a great time at the El Royale.
4 - highly recommended!

Wajib
Director: Annemarie Jacir
Length: 96 min
Exclusive to Nova, Lido Hawthorn, Classic Elsternwick, Cameo Belgrave, Pivotonion Geelong

© Potential - gentle father/son story with
subtle  commentary on Israel Palestine situation

Abu Shadi (Mohammed Bakri) is divorced, and works as a school principal in modern-day Nazareth. Prior to his daughter Amal's wedding, his son Shadi (Saleh Bakri) returns from Italy, where he has been living and working as an architect for years. Together the two drive around for the day to hand-deliver the wedding invitations, as is the Palestinian custom. This is a low-key but compelling father/son story, of two estranged men trying to reconnect, despite dramatic differences in world view and generation. Shadi rails against Israel but doesn't have to live there while his father quietly accepts life as it is and tries to make the best of it. Wajib remains gentle and understated, quietly portraying life for Arabs under the tough rule of Israel. There is no didactic lecturing, just subtle hints to the audience of what it is like to live a purportedly middle class life, but as a second-class citizen in the land of your heritage. It is also an unexpected and beautifully observed slice of life, that opens one's eyes as to a different side of Palestine from the more often reported refugee experience. With actual father and son playing the leads, there is palpable authenticity to to the narrative.
4 - highly recommended!

1%
Dir: Stephen McCallum
Length: 90 min

© Icon - Matt Nable plays bikie gang leader Knuck
with manic and terrifying aggression. 

Fresh from the festival circuit comes a gritty violent Aussie movie about rivalry for leadership in a biker gang. Knuck (Matt Nable, also screenwriter of the film) is released from jail. He finds Paddo (Ryan Corr), who he left in charge, is making deals with rival gangs, and he doesn't like that. Paddo has a mentally challenged brother Skink (Josh McConville), who he loves, but who constantly causes trouble and needs protection. To add to it all, his girlfriend Katrina (Abbey Lee) feels Paddo should challenge Knuck for the leadership. Knuck's girlfriend Hayley has other plans. I hate the sort of people depicted in films like this, so I find it pretty gruelling to spend time in the company of such reprehensible characters. But there's no denying the power of Nable's acting as the near-psychopathic Knuck who knows no other way of ruling but violence. Corr is always a likable screen presence so his character is more easily stomached, (if a bit unbelievable) but the rest of the gang (apparently played by real bikies) are a rough and tough bunch. The secret strength of Hayley and Katrina make for an interesting plot twist but most of the other women are in the exploited category. Despite my reservations, the film generates a strong mood and dark aesthetic, and if you need a visit to the darkside, it could be just the ticket.  
3 - recommended!

In Like Flynn
Dir: Russell Mulcahey
Length: 100 min

© Umbrella - Errol Flynn's adventures in Oz 
before Hollywood. 

Young Tassie-born Errol Flynn (Thomas Coquerel) is bush bashing in New Guinea with a Hollywood filmmaker who needs a guide to help elude the headhunters. After returning to Sydney, convinced of the possibility of gold in the PNG jungle, Flynn steals a boat and  sails north with three mates to attempt to make his fortune. One of the screen-writers is actually Flynn's grandson who  bases his screenplay on Flynn's memoir of his wild times in Oz before he lands a part in Hollywood (thanks to aforementioned movie-maker). The filmmakers attempt to recreate the swash-buckling derring-do of the early 1930s' boys' own adventure films, and to some extent they succeed handsomely. The film looks impressive, but just as many adventure films focus on action with shallow character development, so does this. Listening to the dialogue, I just keep thinking it sounds wooden and inauthentic. There is little insight into Flynn and Coquerel  fails to make me believe in his character. In contrast his mate Charlie, who owns the stolen boat, is splendidly played by Clive Standen. Despite the star clout of David Wenham as the scurrilous mayor of Townsville, he also failed to impress. As expected, there is plenty of action in the form of classic bar brawls, gambling and drinking, but  overall I exit the cinema underwhelmed. It's no Indiana Jones!
2.5 - maybe!