October 25th - Festival Time!!

Jewish International Film Festival
British Film Festival
Iranian Film Festival

Festival fanatics rejoice - three Film Festivals open this week. How to choose - there is so much wonderful viewing to be had.  

Jewish International Film Festival
Melbourne: 24 Oct - 21 Nov
Classic Elsternwick, Lido Hawthorn, Cameo Belgrave
For other states, times and ticketing see www.jiff.com.au

This festival never ceases to impress me. Eddie Tamir is a top-notch curator. So many of the films are fascinating, informative, entertaining, shocking - and you don't have to be Jewish to get the best from them. There are more than 60 films from 23 countries, with themes ranging from music, film, Holocaust, to relationships and more; animation is included, along with a couple of very old treasures from the 1920s. Something for everyone. Here are 10 films I've previewed so far (aghast!!!), but stay tuned for more to come.  

All pix © JIFF 

Budapest Noir: Set in pre-war Hungary in the mid 1930s, this handsome film features hard-boiled detective Zsigmond Gordon, who is investigating the death of an unnamed Jewish woman whose body is found in the street. The stunning cinematography with its noir feel (although in color) showcases the city, and acting by the lead man and his femme sidekick is compelling. The plot remains gripping, the indications of what is to come for Jews in Hungary is subtly ever-present, and the whole makes for an excellent cinema experience. 

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas: This short and sweet doco is  irreverent, funny, informative and a winner. It's the story of post-war Jewish immigrants to the USA, who became top songwriters and penned the most popular Christmas songs: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, The Christmas Song and more. Cheekily, the director sets his story in a Chinese restaurant, where staff sing and tap out rhythms, while other artists perform stunningly original renditions of the songs. Underneath all the fun, is a hope that a holiday like Christmas represents a day where people can unite and hope for a better world. 

The Jewish Underground: In the 1980s a group of right-wing terrorists, the Jewish Underground, committed several violent crimes against Palestinians and then plotted to blow up the Dome of the Rock. Thankfully they were thwarted in time. The Israeli Secret Service finally got their hands on the criminals. Three decades later the group still has an influence on Israeli politics. This doco interviews key figures from the secret service and the perpetrators, while exploring the scary fact that fanatics, regardless of which side they are on, are the scourge of today's world and threat to peace. 

Sam Spiegel: Conquering Hollywood: What a fabulous insight into the Golden Era of Hollywood. A refugee from Germany in the early 30s, Spiegel became the only person to win three Oscars as sole producer. Interviewees reflect upon the man and his excellent work ethic, while clips of iconic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai and On the Waterfront are a real treat. Anyone with a remote interest in film history should not miss this, with its behind the scenes segments, and an insight into a world of power and movie glamour long gone. 

Who Will Write our History: Just when we think we have seen all the takes on the Holocaust, along comes a fresh slant on things. This mix of documentary and re-enactment looks at the Warsaw Ghetto, where a group of writers and chroniclers gathered together eye-witness accounts of daily life under the Nazis, along with photos, sketches, diaries and more. They buried the entire cache in several containers, and only years later was it unearthed from the rubble of the bombed ghetto. This is the story of those archives, the people who created them, and the mix of despair, hope, and survival that was life in the Warsaw Ghetto. Archival footage is, as always, astonishing and shocking. 

The Twinning Reaction: An excellent companion piece to Three Identical Strangers, this doco looks more widely at the "experiment" conducted by psychiatrists via an adoption agency, based upon separating out twins for adoption. It is a tragic tale, testament to the lives damaged for the ego of scientists. 

Sobibor: Sobibor was a Nazi death camp famous for a mass escape of prisoners, led by Russian/Jewish POW Alexander Perchersky. In 1987 a film was made starring Rutger Hauer. This time the Russians have made the story, almost in the style of a blockbuster, full of drama, violence, graphic detail and heroism. Like so many films of this nature, it shows the best and absolute worst of human beings. Ghastliness of camp life is front and centre, but so are hope and courage. 

Studio 54: In the 70s, one New York disco was the place to be. This is the story of Studio 54 in its heyday - the hedonism, the allure, the celebrities and the two founders, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager. The rise and ignominious fall of the club is chronicled in all its lurid detail, with wonderful footage not seen before. 

Conventional Sins: This seriously disturbing doco is based upon the diary of a 15-year-old who suffered abuse at the hands of pedophiles in the ultra-orthodox Haredi sect in a suburb of Jerusalem. Meilech, now adult, meets with actors to discuss playing the roles of both abusers and victims. The reenactments provide a shameful window into the abuse of power and the damage it causes, particularly since the closed community remains tight-lipped in even talking about it. 

Let's Dance: Israeli modern dance is renowned throughout the world, with cutting edge choreographers and esteemed dance companies. This joyous documentary looks at the genesis of dance culture in Israel, and then showcases some of the spectacular performances from modern companies. There is fire, talent, athleticism and enthusiasm making the doco a delight to watch.

Mini British Film Festival
Melbourne: 25 Oct - 14 Nov
Palace Como, Brighton Bay, Westgarth, Astor
For other states, times and ticketing see www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

Browsing through the program, I see this is the sort of festival where I want to see every film. From the opening night Collette, with Keira Knightley, to closing night's Stan and Ollie (with Steve Coogan and John C Reilly), it looks like a full on fab festival. As well as umpteen premieres, there is a retrospective featuring Alfie, The Italian Job, To Sir With Love, Georgy Girl and The Knack, all iconic swinging 60s films. And in keeping with the sixties, I've previewed the doco narrated by Caine, called . . . 

My Generation: Michael Caine takes audiences to the Britain of his youth (and the youth of many viewers I'd imagine). He leads us through the story of the British pop culture explosion of the 1960s, as Brit society changed from something a tad boring, to a vibrant world of music, fashion and youth culture. With a soundtrack to die for - Beatles, Kinks, Stones, Animals and more - and fashion icons like Twiggy and Mary Quant, along with archival footage and interviews from the day and looking back, this is a must see for those who remember the era with nostalgia.

Iranian Film Festival
25 October - 30 October
ACMI
For other states and times, go to www.iffa.net.au

This year's festival showcases 12 feature films from Iran's most prominent directors. It's a real shame these fine films seldom seem to get a mainstream release. So this is a great chance to see films you might not otherwise have an opportunity to catch.

© Iranian Film Festival - Hendi and Hormoz

Hendi and Hormoz: Set on an Iranian island where haematite is mined, this is the sad tale of a marriage between a 16-year-old boy and his 13-year-old bride. When Hendi falls pregnant too young, Hormoz is forced into a pact with a smuggler to try to support his family. Visually beautiful, but emotionally tragic this is a gentle and sobering film, where life is a struggle and young people's lives lack the opportunities of those in the West. 

© Iranian Film Festival -
gut-wrenching story

Axing (Darkoob): Mahsa is a junkie who believes her baby died seven years ago. But when she finds the child is possibly still alive and living with her husband and his new wife, all hell breaks loose. This is one of the most affecting films I've seen in a long time - full of tension, drama and raw humanity. The lives of Teheran addicts is depicted unflinchingly, and the heartache for all concerned evokes both anger and compassion. Sara Bahrami won an Iranian award for Best Actress, and deservedly so.