April 17th 2026
The Stranger
Under a Bamboo Sky
Man on the Run (streaming on Prime)
Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere (streaming on Netflix)
Anzac Day is looming, and an impressive Aussie doco throws a compelling light on Aussie POWS who were brutalised by the Japanese. Master French auteur Francois Ozon brings his interpretation of a classic novel, and streaming services tempt you with a couple of terrific docos.
The Stranger (L'Etranger)
Dir: Francois Ozon
Length: 122 mins
 |
© Palace - strong interpetation of
a classic novel |
Based on Albert Camus's late 1930s novel, L'Etranger is set in Algeria at that same time, an era of French colonialism and oppression of the Arab population. French clerk Mersault (Benjamin Voisin) is a man of little emotion. At the funeral of his mother in the early scenes, he shows no emotion. Shortly after, he starts a relationship with Marie (Rebecca Marder), but he retains a level of detachment. One day Mersault and his friend Raymond (Pierre Lottin) are harrassed by some Arab youths, because Raymond has been abusing his Arab girlfriend. Subsequently, on the beach, Mersault kills one of the youths and must stand trial. His fate will be strongly influenced by testimony as to his total lack of emotion, and seeming lack of remorse. The film looks absolutely stunning with its evocative black and white cinematography. And even though Mersault is such an alienating character, Ozon manages to have his story capture our interest. I have no insight into the original novel, but this adaptation certainly shows colonialism in a negative light, with the Arabs being almost invisible to the white population. And as for Mersault, is he on the autism spectrum? Are we ultimately judged by our emotional responses? Some challenging issues to ponder in an intriguing film. 4 - highly recommended
Under a Bamboo Sky
Dir: Serge Ou
Length: 77 mins
 |
© Widbear Entertainment - more real-life, wartime horror
than any horror movie |
Aussies throw around the terms Burma Railway and Changi Prison, often with little knowledge of what our troops endured as prisoners of war at the hands of the Japanese military during World War II. 15,000 Australian troops were imprisoned in Changi, with most of them then being forced to work on the construction of the Thai Burma Railway. Some were even sent as far as Japan, to work in coalmines. This short, but incredibly powerful doco, is quite a technical tour de force, combining voice-overs of men who lived the horrific experience, with colorised old photos that bring the past into sharp relief, and portraits of the men involved subtly brought to life through modern technological magic. As the men speak, and we witness the brutality and deprivation they suffered, we are intensely aware of the resilience of so many of these Aussie soldiers, and the power of mateship; that supportive bond the men formed to get them through. I didn't expect to become very involved in this war story, yet found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, totally immersed, impressed, distressed and enlightened. It's so imprtant that these criticial moments in history are not forgotten, with emphasis on the human beings involved, not merely the historical facts. This film will ensure these remarkable soldiers live on.
4 - highly recommended
Man on the Run
Dir: Morgan Neville
Length: 155 mins
Streaming on Prime
 |
© Amazon - from a Beatle to the band Wings -
a legend examined |
What can I say to any die-hard Beatles/McCartney fan? Maybe you already know most of what this doco has to tell you, but if you're a fan you can't help but be charmed, impressed and entertained all over again by one of the world's most talented musicians. This is not a comprehensive Paul biography; rather, it deals with his exit from the Beatles, when he asks himself, "Who am I if I'm no longer a Beatle?" And so, with beloved wife Linda, he goes about setting himself up first with a solo career, then creating several incarnations of a new band, Wings. The insight into their modest lives on the Scottish farm is rather enlightening, his solid family dynamic unexpectedly inspiring, and the music is, of course, great! 4 - highly recommended
Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere
Dir: Adrian Choa
Length: 91 mins
Streaming on Netflix
 |
| © Netflix - repulsive men on the rise! |
Oh dear! The outrageous content of this doco will have feminists (and most reasonable people) simply gobsmacked. Yes, we've heard of high-profile misogynists like Andrew Tate, but who knew there were so many others of his ilk out there? Theroux, known for his many (around 70) incisive docos, often on controversial topics, interviews several young men who subscribe to the idea that men rule the world, and women are there to serve them. A motley assortment of pumped-up male influencers are coaxed along by Theroux to reveal their repugnant ideologies. What I love about this interviewer's style is that he doesn't go for the jugular, just asks the gently probing questions and gives his subjects enough rope to hang themselves. (The little sideways looks he gives the viewer says it all!) This is an entertainment, and a worrying eye-opener. 4 - highly recommended
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