Wednesday 17 July 2024

July 17th 2024

Kinds of Kindness
Mr Blake at your Service
Longlegs
The Leisure Seeker (streaming on Netflix)
Saxo Scandinavian Film Festival


For lovers of Nordic film, the Scandi Film Festival is back with some excellent offerings. Plus Greek auteur Lanthimos returns to his challenging style of filmmaking, crazy Nic Cage portrays a bizarre serial killer, and two top actors examine the perils of growing old in a Netflix streamer. 
 
Kinds of Kindness
Dir:  Yorgos Lanthimos
Length: 164 mins
© Searchlight - beyond weird, but so creative
with magnificent performances
Without a doubt the most bizarre incomprehensible film I've seen in years, this is a challenge to review. After the great success of  relatively mainstream films The Favorite and Poor Things, Greek auteur Lanthimos returns to his previous crazed, cryptic form in this trio of separate stories, each starring the same ensemble of actors. Each tale is obscurely titled using the initials of a man, RMF (Yorgos Stafanakos), a character who features importantly but minimally. In the first story Jessie Plemons plays Robert, a man whose entire life is dictated to by Raymond (Willem Dafoe), in cahoots with his lover Vivian (Margaret Qualley). Robert's wife Sarah (Hong Chau) leaves him then he meets Rita (Emma Stone), who is also being controlled by Raymond.  In the second tale, Plemons plays Daniel, a police officer whose wife Liz (played by Stone) goes missing. When she returns Daniel is convinced this is an imposter in Liz's body. The final tale sees cult members Andrew and Emily searching for a woman they believe can reanimate the dead, in this case RMF, who was killed earlier. Yes, the plot is bizarre and confusing, but something in this remarkable film had me totally absorbed, and simply in awe of the acting ability of the main players, each character so utterly different in every respect. I find it impossible to give this a blanket recommendation. If you can't cope with such a long film with its weird plot, (including some nasty body horror), then I'd say give it a total miss. If you want to see a film that is truly creative and original, combined with a stunning cast, then don't miss it.  
??? - love it or hate it!

Mr Blake at Your Service
Dir:  Gilles Legardinier
Length: 100 mins
© Rialto - one of Malkovitch's best in
a long time
Andrew Blake (John Malkovitch) is a successful businessman, grieving the death of his wife. Without notice, he packs his bags and heads off to a place in France where he first met his beloved - an old mansion run by the elegant, financially struggling Madame de Beauvillier (Fannny Ardant). Blake thinks it's a hotel, but the staff are interviewing for a butler, so he ends up taking the job, under the strict and watchful eye of housekeeper Odile (Emilie Dequenne). A film like this could run the risk of veering into schmaltz territory, but ultimately it is very sweet and charming, anchored by a terrific performance from Malkovitch, who speaks excellent French throughout the film. His character borders on eccentric, always putting his two francs' worth of suggestions into any situation, much to the initial annoyance of the women. The laundry maid Manon and the groundskeeper Magnier round out the plot nicely, and as Andrew proves his worth and things become more light-hearted in the household, I find myself thoroughly engaged with all the characters. This is an amusing, feel-good story, which features two great actors, looks terrific and is sometimes the sort of light-weight panacea needed in dark times.
3.5 - well recommended 

Longlegs
Dir:  Oz Perkins
Length: 101 mins
© Rialto - this is a weird one, for sure! 
FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is assigned to a bizarre serial killer case in which several entire families have been killed over the years. Cryptic notes point to a killer known as Longlegs (an unrecognisable Nic Cage). As the FBI closes in, Lee discovers a more personal connection to the case. Touted as the best thriller since Silence of the Lambs, this one unfortunately doesn't thrill me like Lambs did. Yes there are positives: an excellent sound track, some very evocative (think dark and gloomy) sets and cinematography, and a fabulous performance from the master of weird, Cage (augmented by brilliant makeup). Monroe is pretty good too as the isolated agent, haunted by her past and present nightmares, and from the outset a strong sense of foreboding is created. But I find it too derivative of many other films - Satanic and occult references, creepy dolls, axe murders, and other predictable scenes where I was "psychic" enough to know what was about to happen, and all with a twist at the end that veered into silly territory. But above all, except for a couple of moments, I was simply NOT scared!
2.5 - maybe

The Leisure Seeker
Dir:  Paolo Virzi
Length: 112 mins
Streaming on Netflix - 2017
© Netflix - predictable at times, 
but very moving
One actor from British royalty, and one much-loved, recently departed actor star in this film, a nominee for the Golden Lion back in 2017. Ella (Helen Mirren) and her husband John (Donald Sutherland) climb aboard their old Winnebago and head off on a journey of fun, nostalgia (watching old family slides) and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. John has been a literature teacher, worships Ernest Hemingway, and wants to visit the Hemingway House in Florida. The trouble is he is suffering rapidly advancing Alzheimer's, and Ella is undergoing chemo for cancer. Their adult kids are horrified that the pair have done a runner, but this important trip could well be their last. Yes there is a certain predictability in some of the dialogue and the plot, while the two adult offspring are a bit like cardboard cutouts. But Mirren and Sutherland shine together, as she scolds him for always forgetting, coaxes old memories out of him, and he endlessly manages to remember literary trivia and students from the past, while the present eludes him. The film achieves a nice balance between lightness and touches of humour, while addressing the serious issue of illness and aging. There are some deeply touching moments, and for those of us advancing along life's path, it will strike some deep chords.
3.5 - well recommended

Saxo Scandinavian Film Festival
19 July - 7 August (Melbourne)
Palace cinemas
For all scheduling, other states, film synopses, tickets etc visit: scandinavianfilmfestival.com
Now in its tenth year, this excellent festival celebrates the best of Nordic cinema from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Thrillers, comedies, relationship dramas, science fiction, satire, historical epics, and more - it's all here, plus a special presentation of four films featuring the collaboration between Liv Ullman and director Ingmar Bergman. For fans of iconic Finnish director Kaurismaki, the festival celebrates the 35th anniversary of  Leningrad Cowboys Go America. Let me recommend to you a couple of terrific films I've reviewed so far:

Hammarskjold - Fight for Peace:  In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, Dag Hammarskjold (Mikael Persbrandt) was Secretary General of the United Nations. He was strongly in favour of the decolonisation of African states. Shortly after Congo was declared an independent country, political drama ensued, with the mineral-rich area of Katanga seceding, Lumumba (Congo's president) being killed, and Dag desperately trying to broker a peace deal (with powers like Belgium, the USA and Britain) meddling in the background. When the plane carrying Dag and 14 UN officials crashed, foul play was suspected. This excellent biographical thriller revisits the case, examining the politics, and the man himself, a lonely and principled man, with personal demons. The film is not only historically intriguing, but is surprisingly moving, with a top-notch performance from Persbrant, and a much nominated musical score. 

The Tundra Within Me: The Sami are the indigenous people from what used to be known as Lapland, the far northern regions of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. They are traditionally reindeer herders, with men mostly being the top dogs in the business. The film's setting is already fascinating - depicting a lifestyle so unfamiliar to me. The low-key, gentle story is about Lena, a Sami woman, once a herd manager, who left her homeland years ago to become an artist in Norway. She returns for a time, with her young son, to do a gender-focused project about women in reindeer management. When she meets herder Mahtte, and they start a relationship, she needs to decide what direction her life will take. A tender love story, with a telling look at gender roles in a traditional society, this is worthwhile viewing.  
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Thursday 4 July 2024

July 4th 2024

The Bikeriders
Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line
Sidonie in Japan
Radical
A Silence

It's another great week for excellent movie offerings. All these films have infiltrated my brain - Austin Butler astride a Harley, Beds are Burning thumping out from the Oils, the delicateness of love in Japan, a teacher's profound influence on his students, and a very nasty case of domestic secrets. There has to be something here for you to enjoy.  
 
The Bikeriders
Dir:  Jeff Nichols
Length: 116 mins
© Universal - start your engines! Love
amid a bikie gang culture. 
Midwest gal Kathy (Jodie Comer) heads to a bar for a drink with a girlfriend, only to find the place full of rough'n' tough bikers. But as she is about to leave, she claps eyes on Danny (Austin Butler), and five weeks later they are married. Danny lives to ride, and with his best pal Johnny (Tom Hardy) belongs to a riders group known as The Vandals. As the group evolves, more chapters are formed, and more men who live outside the law become involved, changing the nature of the culture forever. This high-octane love story (love of motocycles rather than women?) is one hell of a ride, and, though fictional,  is inspired by a photo/interview book about the actual Chicago Outlaws bikie gang, published in the late 1960s and structured around interviews with the real Kathy. The film runs with the interview framework, giving a very personal, insider's perspective as seen by Kathy, in interviews that span several years, and move around in time. Whether you love of hate this grungy, violent culture, seething with sweaty, toxic masculinity, you can't help but be impressed by the powerful evoking of a time and place, all augmented by a stunning sixties soundtrack. Everything is fast and furious, and there are breathtaking moments that scream "freedom", as epitomised by a roaring Harley Davidson. Characters are memorable, from the taciturn but charismatic Danny, through to Hardy's mumbling Johnny, and the chemistry of the mens' relationship is palpable. (Who'd have thought tough bikies could be almost in love with each other?) All the lesser roles are inhabited with fierce bikie bravado, with Michael Shannon a stand out as wild man Zipco. British actor Comer is brilliant as Kathy, with a carefully studied idiosyncratic accent and a style somewhere between redneck and a touch more refined. Some of the scenes of violent mindless brawling are challenging but again, typical of the milieu while in a few scenes we sense the vulnerability some of the men harbor under all the bluster, though some are just downright scumbuckets! Overall, the film is one great adrenalin-boosting ride.
4 - highly recommended

Midnight Oil
Dir:  Paul Clarke
Length: 105 mins
© Roadshow - what a band epitomsing
uncompromising commitment to their music
and ideals
Midnight Oil were so much more than a rock band. They were political activists, eco-warriors, supporters of Indigenous rights, and a group of musos who were determined never to compromise or bow to the pressures of pop commercialism. This excellent doco traces the band's four decade history, from the struggling years through to their final farewell concert in 2022. Of course much of the focus is on lead singer Peter Garrett, his unforgettable stage presence, and his commitment to making a difference, which ultimately led him into politics and put the Oils on pause for  about a decade. The archival footage in the film is all-encompassing (albeit very grainy; old video is often a problem), covering the history comprehensively. As well as having a stuning playlist of the band's hits, the doco is a fine snapshot of political and social changes in Australia over those decades. The film also includes much revealing footage of the Oils' forays into the outback to work with Indigenous artists and learn more of that culture, a move which greatly influenced their music. It really doesn't matter if you are a fan of their music or not - this is such an uplifting story of how music and passion can make huge changes, that you cannot help but be inspired.
4 - highly recommended

Sidonie in Japan
Dir:  Elise Girard
Length: 95 mins
© Sharmill - whimsical, sweet story
starring the timeless Isabelle Huppert
The always wonderful Isabelle Huppert plays author Sidonie Perceval, a widowed author who heads to Japan where her last novel is being re-released. She meets with her publisher Kenzo (Tsuyoshi Ihara) who will be her companion for her six-day tour. To her amazement, Sidonie finds that the ghost of her husband (August Diehl) turns up in each hotel where she stays. If she is to ever move on with her life she will need to dispel this apparition. This is such a sweet, poignant and romantic film, not without its humour, mostly derived from the differences between the formality of Japanese culture and the French style of doing things. There's a lovely chemistry between the two leads, and somehow the supernatural element blends seamlessly and almost believably into the overall plot. For me, loving all things French and Japanese, this film is a sweet and uplifting treat.
4 - highly recommended

Radical
Dir:  Christopher Zalla
Length: 125 mins
© Madman - a teacher who brings ut the 
best in his students
Teacher Sergio (Eugenio Derbez) is appointed to teach at a rundown school on the Mexican border. He comes with a radical approach - to throw away the rule book and try to ignite the students' curiosity for learning, through practical experiments, open discussion, and emotional closeness. He soon discovers that even the troubled kids like Nico, who is moving with gangs, can be inspired to learn and love school. But even better, he finds that some of the students like Paloma (whose father works scavenging the local tip) and Lupe (who is forced to babysit her siblings) could definitely be geniuses in the making. But he must battle corruption and disapproval of other staff members, along with an ingrained parental attitude that education is a waste of time. Yes, we've seen plenty of these inspirational teacher stories (it is almost a sub-genre), but there is something fresh about this lovely film, that has won umpteen awards, including Audience Favorite at Sundance. Derbez gives such a fine performance, as do all the kids, and here's the thing: it is in fact a true story, with Sergio getting outstanding results out of his students.
4 - highly recommended

A Silence
Dir:  Joachim Lafosse
Length: 99 mins
© Palace - a family of high standing
harbors dark secrets
In a long opening take Astrid Schaar (Emanuelle Davos) drives to a police station to be told her son Raphael  (Mathieu Galoux) has been arrested for trying to murder his father, Francois Schaar (Daniel Auteuil). The film then flashes back to reveal what has led up to this shocking turn of events. I'm ambivalent abut this film - the acting from Davos and Auteuil is top shelf, especially Davos, for whom silence and minimal facial gestures speak volumes. Auteuil's character is a high-powered lawyer, involved in prosecuting a pedophile (inspired by a true case.) As the case progresses the spotlight turns to the lawyer himself. We also are gradually made aware of a situation he was involved in years prior, about which his wife had knowledge (but again remained silent). This slow reveal is effective but also at times too slow and confusing, and the final denouement of the film left me disappointed. The cinematographic style is deliberately dark with the countless dimly-lit scenes effectively representing the secret corners of peoples lives. The film deals with important and weighty themes, including a teenager's dramatic meltdown, along with the ability of a man of power (Francois) to snow those around him, yet somehow the script never quite nails the issues head on. However Davos's nuanced performance really holds it all together, even leading me to question if Astrid's conjugal loyalty is inspired by deeper dark emotions within herself.
3 - recommended

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Wednesday 26 June 2024

June 27th 2024

The Convert
Wild Rose (streaming on Netflix)
Hitman (streaming on Netflix)
Born in Syria (streaming on Docplay)
Three more from the Spanish Film Festival

I've returned refreshed and relaxed from a little break, and back into the film frenzy! Here's a terrific new film from New Zealand, plus three fine streaming offerings. And the Spanish Film Festival has a week to run, so get into it! 
 
The Convert
Dir:  Lee Tamahori
Length: 119 mins
© Kismet - powerful story of colonialism
and Maoris warfare in New Zealand
Most famous for directing Once Were Warriors back in 1994, Tamahori returns from his 20-year stint in Hollywood to his native New Zealand to write and direct an impressive drama set in the 1830s. NZ at that time was Maori-dominated, with wars raging between the tribes, and a few fledgling British settlements establishing themselves. Thomas Munro (an excellent Guy Pearce), a man with a violent past and now a lay preacher, is sent to the settlement of Epworth. En route he witnesses Maori inter-tribal savagery, and saves the life of a young woman, Rangimai (Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne), who he takes into his care. Munro soon discovers the racism and entrenched anti-Maori sentiment among the British colonists, as he becomes further estranged from those he was sent to minister to and more involved in trying to broker peace among the Maoris. The film has been called one of the most authentic filmic depictions of pre-colonial Maori culture, with fabulous production design along with costumes and sets that bring that world to life. The politics and skulduggery of the British (running guns, double dealing and furthering their own interests) is woven into the plot, as is a love interest between Munroe and Mrs Haggerty, (Jacqueline McKenzie), a white woman once married to a Maori. Performances from the two warring chiefs Akatarewa (Lawrence Makoare) and Maianui (Antonio Te Maioha), along with the many signficant tribal warriors feel authentic, and the many scenes of battle and other conflict are chillingly brutal. While the film's conclusion is perhaps too easy and sudden, overall this is a most worthy examination of important issues of colonialism, violence and faith.
4 - highly recommended

Wild Rose
2018
Dir: Tom Harper
Length: 101 mins
Streaming on Netflix
©  - if she ever leaves acting, Buckley could
definitely be a country singer 
Glasgow born Rose-Lynn (Jessie Buckely) is an aspiring country singer who has just come out of a year's jail for a drug-related crime. Her mother Marion (Julie Walters) has been minding her two small children, who are very conflicted about being with their mum again. Desperate to save money to try her luck in Nashville, Rose-Lynn takes a cleaning job with wealthy Susannah (Sophie Okonedo), who is totally supportive of her cleaning-girl's aspirations. But Rose-Lynn is not honest with Susannah about her circumstances, so somewhere along the line a reckoning must be faced. Rose-Lynn has a tattoo on her arm saying "three chords and the truth". It is her own truth that she is on a journey to find, in this feel-good, moving and uplifting film. Yes, there may be something familiar about the plot, but it is elevated beyond the usual by a brilliant BAFTA-nominated performance from Buckley, who even does her own singing. Walters, as always, is rock-solid as a grandmother and mother who is there (sometimes reluctantly) to pick up the pieces.The songs are all terrific, and the grittiness of the rough and ready Glasgow characters make for a really enjoyable watch.
4 - highly recommended

Hit Man
Dir: Richard Linklater
Length: 115 mins
Streaming on Netflix 
©  Netflix - at times silly, but
very funny! 
Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) is a nerdy-looking philosophy lecturer at university, but on the side he moonlights with the police department, pretending to be a hit man, and trapping folks who want to hire him, so that they get arrested before any murders actually occur. When he meets Madison Masters (Adria Arjona), a young woman scared of her jealous ex-husband, he advises her to keep her money and get a divorce. Soon Gary, (or rather, his hit man alter-ego Ron), and Madison end up in a hot relationship, which causes all sorts of confusion and mix-ups for everyone.  What starts out feeling like an ordinary, typically American wanna-be comedy, just gets better as it goes along. Powell is quite remarkable and funny, channelling the many and varied personae he dons as the hit man, depending upon who he is trying to entrap. The chemistry between him and Arjona is super-hot and the convolutions of the plot just get funnier and sillier as things progress, with several unexpected twists along the way. Underlying it all is an interesting premise regarding identity - the sort of "fake it till you make it" philosophy, suggesting people can choose the person they want to present to the world. Smaller supporting performances are also strong, especially Austin Amelio as Jasper, whose job Gary has taken. This is a fun way to spend two hours.
4 - highly recommended

Born in Syria
Dir: Hernan Zin
Length: 86 mins
Streaming on Docplay - 2016
©  Docplay - tragic. The trauma Syurian refugees 
have faced goes on and on
Though several years old now, this award-winning doco has lost little of its relevance in these fraught times. It traces the refugee journey through the eyes of several children, who must flee their homeland for far-flung countries. Opening with a boat-load of refugees landing in Greece, the film traces various stories. Nine million Syrians have fled their homeland since war broke out in 2011. Some are welcomed, but many find hostile receptions in their new lands, and hearing the children speak of their woes is heartbreaking. Some kids end up making successful new lives, others like the poor injured boy in the photo, will continue to suffer. Films like this are so important in reminding us of the ongoing tragedies throughout the world, and how lucky we are in our lives here in Oz.
4 - highly recommended
PS: Need I remind you for the umpteenth time that a subscription to DocPlay costs less per month than two cups of coffee, and will reward doco lovers with a stunning range of films. Visit: https://www.docplay.com/home

HSBC Spanish Film Festival
Until 3rd July
Palace Cinemas
For all required information visit www.spanishfilmfestival.com 

The festival continues for another week, so still a chance to catch more of these fine films. I've done a binge watch of three more that I recommend.
© Palace - fine Mexican drama of
relationships, revenge and redemption
Upon Open Sky: A nominee for Best Film at Venice FF last year, this Mexican road trip drama is a searing tale of revenge and redemption, with tricky moral issues at its heart. It is the story of brothers, Fernando and Salvador, whose father was killed in a road accident two years before. They determine to track down the truck driver responsible and exact revenge. With them is Paula, the daughter of the man their widowed mother has just married. The first strength of this film lies in its intelligent and compelling screenplay by Guillermo Arriaga (who wrote Babel and 21 Grams). Less is more here - silence speaks as much as words. Then we have the powerful performances by the three young leads, along with a great soundtrack and beautiful sweeping cinematography of the wild Mexican landscape. The soul-searching, gut-wrenching journey each of the kids will go through is superbly portrayed, as issues of raging emotions versus love and forgiveness do battle in each of them. For those who love a morally challenging, emotionally charged film, this is a winner.

Un Amor: Director Isabelle Coixet has three earlier films in the spotlight this festival. This, her latest, is the story of Natalia who is escaping the pressures of city life by settling in a remote country village in the south of Spain. Locals are mistrustful and her landlord is a vaguely theatening misogynistic creep who won't lift a finger to repair the dilapidated house. To get work done, Natalia strikes a deal with her neighbor Andreas, which sparks off  a most bizarre and obsessive relationship. At its heart, this film explores the mysteries of desire and a woman's self-image. Performances are intense, sex scenes quite raw, and although I remain perplexed as to what drives these characters, the film carries one along with tension and intrigue as to the depths of the human heart. 

Artificial Justice: With AI the word on many people's lips, this is a most timely movie, that takes the premise that the judicial system, in the near future, is replacing human judges with Artifical Intelligence software. Award-winning actor Veronica Echegui plays a high-powered, respected judge invited to assess the new system, but she soon finds herself entangled in a web of political and corporate dramas and conspiracies, that become life-threatening. Part thriller, part social commentary, this is a thought-provoking film to further debate on new technologies: friend or foe?

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Wednesday 12 June 2024

June 13th (and June 20th releases)  2024

The Koalas
Spanish Film Festival

Releasing on June 20th:
Picasso: A Rebel in Paris
Divertimento
The Promised Land

I'm taking a small break, so have included in this week's reviews films releasing next week. It's a couple of weeks of strong films, ranging from docos, to narratives that are epic and uplifting. Not to mention another great festival, this time, the Spanish. 
 
The Koalas
Dir: Gregory Miller & Georgia Wallace Crabbe
Length: 91 mins
Nova June 18th (Q&A), Thornbury Picture House June 22nd, Elsternwick Classic June 30th
For further venues and times, visit: https://www.thekoalasfilm.com/
© Film Projects - imagine a world without 
this emblematic Aussie 
Governments constantly blither on about protecting our favorite furry friend, but when it comes to the crunch, these iconic marsupials are threatened by loss of habitat, climate change and disease. Greedy housing developers and loggers knock down their habitat, while bushfires and floods have cut a swathe through their numbers. The animal may in fact face extinction in the wild by 2050. This clearly presented doco shows how the koala population is faring, state by state, and outlines measures being taken (such as koala corridors, freeway underpasses etc) to protect them. Much work is done by devoted volunteers, but whether it will be enough, only time will tell. The film features plenty of great koala close-ups, clear explanatory diagrams, and information from volunteers and experts. We also follow the progress of specific individuals, being cared for after terrible burns, or having been orphaned after road accidents. This makes for engaging and informative viewing.
4 - highly recommended

HSBC Spanish Film Festival
14th June - 3rd July
Palace Cinemas
For all required information visit www.spanishfilmfestival.com 

This fabulous festival is back, featuring films not only from Spain, but also Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. The festival has a focus on eight female filmmakers and also also features two restrospectives: one highlights the work of Isabelle Coixet, the other highlights Salvador Dali, with works ranging from the classic 1929 Un Chien Andalou, though to a recent doco examining his life. I've been able to preview the award-winning centrepiece film.

The Teacher Who Promised the Sea: Set in 1935 and the present day, this powerful film is based upon the true story of  a teacher, Antonio Benaiges (Enric Auquer). Young, idealistic, and anything but traditional, he is sent to teach in a little school in the north of Spain. The kids love him, but when Franco's regime comes into power, he is definitely not on the approved list. In the present day Ariadna (Laia Costa) is searching for the remains of her great grandfather in one of the many mass graves in which people murdered by the Franco regime were buried. Just when I thought this story might become overly cute, it took a dramatic turn and became tense and moving, highlighting issues of progressive teaching, tyranny, and the importance of free speech.  

Films releasing on June 20th
The Promised Land
Dir: Nikolaj Arcel
Length: 127 mins

© Rialto - any film with Mads Mikkelsen in
the lead promises to be great!
Set in mid 1700s Denmark, this co-production from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Germany is the sweeping tale of Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen), who sets out to conquer the seemingly uninhabitable heathlands and build a colony there. He represents the king, but comes into deep conflict with landowner Frederick de Schinkel who believes he owns all the lands. Kahlen is determined not to succumb to the evil Schinkel, but standing his ground will be at the expense of people who have come to mean something in his life. Without giving away too much plot here, I find this an extremely engaging film, in an epic old-fashioned way that we don't see so much of nowadays. Its narrative is broad ranging (and loosely based on history), it is visually stunning, and performances are compelling - especially Mads (of course), and young Melina Hagberg as orphaned gypsy girl Anmai Mus. With such visceral themes as revenge, ambition, repression, self-worth, family and love, there are all the ingredients needed for a deeply rewarding film experience. (Note: it has 17 big wins to its name).
4 - highly recommended

Picasso: A Rebel in Paris
Dir: Simona Risi
Length: 92 mins
© Sharmill -  an original take on one
of the world's most incredible artists
Add to the film's title Story of a life and museum, and you have the idea that this is not just another standard biopic of the controversial artist. It is based around the biggest collection of his work, at the Musee National Picasso in Paris. The museum houses 6000 artworks and 200,000 pieces of archived material. We follow the  Spaniard as he leaves his country of birth and joins the art scene in Paris, moving from a traditional style to his trademark ground-breaking style of painting. The doco is jam-packed with so much fascinating information and countless visuals of his work - the various periods, and pieces in styles and media that I had no idea he even worked in (think ceramics). In-depth insights are given by museum curators and art critics, along with glimpses into his personal life and his highly contradictory nature, ranging from positive traits to the highly questionable treatment of the women in his life. Included are also clips from films which were made of the man before his death. It's a real eye opener, and a must for art lovers.
4 - highly recommended

Divertimento
Dir: Marie Castille Mention Schaar
Length: 110 mins
© Potential - uplifting and inspiring
Two sisters, Zahia (Oulaya Amamra) and Fettouma  Ziouani (Lina el Arabi) have big dreams. At only 17, Zahia hopes to becomes one of very few female orchestra conductors and her sister wants to become a professional cellist. Being of Algerian descent and living in the "burbs" of Paris, they will need to overcome many hurdles, both societal and patriarchal. After being accepted into a top music school, Zahia must face racial prejudice from uppity French kids, along with constantly fighting to be a woman in a traditionally male sphere. While following a reasonably predictable narrative arc, this true story is both uplifting and inspiring, and features lovely performances by the two lead actors. Augmenting the cast is Neils Arestrup as famed conductor Sergiu Celibidache, who sees the potential in Zahia and takes her under his wing. Of course, the music is simply lovely. Take a few tissues for the very emotional conclusion!
3.5 - well recommended



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Wednesday 5 June 2024

June 6th 2024

The Three Musketeers Part II: Milady
The Idea of You (streaming on Prime)
Forgotten Love (streaming on Netflix)
Japanese Film Festival online
CHIFF - Childrens International Film Festival

A big variety of offerings this week, from the second part of the Three Musketeers blockbuster, a couple of streaming films (a rom-com and a Polish melodrama), along with two film festivals.  

The Three Musketeers Part II: Milady
Dir: Martin Bourboulon
Length: 115 mins
© Palace - ongoing subterfuge and
daring deeds
A couple of weeks ago I waxed enthusiastic about Part 1 of this adaptation of Dumas' classic novel. This second film picks up where the first left off, with D'artagnan (Francois Civil) desperate to find his lady love Constance, who was abducted at the end of the first film. Meantime Catholic King Louis has been persuaded by his brother Gaston to declare war on the Protestants, and all hell breaks loose. The eponymous Milady (Eva Green) finds herself imprisoned and then rescued by D'Artagnan, who is forced to team up with her, as, apparently, only she knows the location of Constance. The good new first: the film retains the magnificent production values of the first "episode", recreating a time and place so compellingly authentic, you can almost smell the dirty bodies. The action scenes are also brilliantly executed, and cinematography, with magnificent sweeping French countryside, is top notch. Vincent Casell stands out as Athos, who has more of a link to Milady than first imagined. The bad news for me is that I found this part less compelling, more meandering, and decidedly more convoluted and confusing plot-wise than Part I. Aramis and Porthos, the other two musketeers have little of substance to do, and the many miraculous escapes are too ludicrous for belief. So all up, this for me is a mildly enjoyable, but ultimately  disappointing, follow-up to its predecessor. 
3 - recommended (just!)

The Idea of You
Dir: Michael Showalter
Length: 115 mins
Streaming on Prime Video
© Amazon Prime -  forget the age gap; this
could be true love
Gallery owner Solene (Anne Hathaway) is forty and divorced. Her 15-year-old daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) is crazy about boy band August Moon, and its lead singer Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine). So mother and daughter head off to a concert where, on the hunt for a toilet, Solene accidentally stumbles into Hayes' trailer. Cue instant attraction! Now, I've never been one for rom-coms, but this sweet film really handles the genre nicely. Hathaway nails it as the cautious older woman, torn between letting loose and perhaps being seen as a cougaresque laughing stock. Yet, I ask, it's always fine in films for older men to squire women half their age, so why isn't the reverse acceptable? (The patriatrchy again!) Both Hathaway and Galitzine make us believe that their characters could easily head into this unusual relationship, such is the chemistry between them, on both mind and body levels. The subsequent hounding by the paparazzi, along with social media vilification is all part of today's celebrity world, adding another layer of credibility. The songs, all purpose-written for the film are terrific, and perfectly pitched for a typical boy band. If you're looking for a light, but entertaining and touching film, this is for you.
3.5 - well recommended   

Forgotten Love
Dir: Michal Gazda
Length: 140 mins
Streaming on Netflix
© Netflix - a sweeoping story of love, loss
and amnesia
Rafal Wilczur (Leszek Lichota) is a highly respected brain surgeon working in Poland between the two world wars. He is heartbroken when his wife leaves him, taking their little girl Marysia with her. When he is mugged and suffers head trauma, he loses all memory of who he is and heads out in search of himself. Naming himself Antoni, he ends up in a village, where he does manual work, but on the side becomes a respected healer of locals who are ill. In the village, Marysia, now called Maria (Maria Kowalska), is working as a barmaid and is being pursued by wealthy Count Czynski (Ignacy Liss). Misunderstandings and prejudices cause havoc in the lives of both Antoni and Maria, as we wait to see if they will ever realise who the other is. This is melodrama at its best, a sweeping story of love and loss, with a gorgeous soundtrack and beautifully shot in Polish towns, villages and countryside. Unsurprisingly, it garnered 8 nominations at the Polish film awards, and makes for unexpectedly enjoyable viewing. 
3.5 - well recommended

The Japanese Film Festival - FREE - online
From now until June 19th you can watch 23 Japanese films online, streaming FREE. You can't get a better deal than films for free! 
I've previewed a couple that are definitely to be recommended, with this first being a stand-out.

The Lines That Define Me Sumi-e is a style of Japanese inkwash painting (extraordinary use of brush strokes in  monochrome, using black ink). This film is like a love letter to the art form, showing how it can transform lives and be a total reflection of the soul of the artist. Sosuke, a uni student whose family all died in an accident, observes a master sumi-e artist, Kozan Shinoda, putting on a public performance, creating a giant piece of art in the sumi-e style. Kozan picks Sosuke out of the audience to help him, and coaxes the lad into becoming his assistant. Kozan's granddaughter Chiaki (already learning the craft) feels initially slighted, but is soon drawn deeper into the world of learning more, and competitions within the discipline. Everything about the film reflects the Japanese aesthetic of beauty from the music, to the cinematography, to the loving way in which each artwork is created (the lead actor studied the discipline for a year to do the role). You need to surrender yourself to this sort of film - it's not one for the popcorn brigade! If you can just go with the gentle storyline and open yourself to a new form of art, this will be a film to absolutely relish. 

I Am What I Am: Kasumi Sobata is 30 and single. Her mother's matchmaking efforts come to naught, as Kasumi is asexual, having no feelings of love or sexual attraction for anyone. People of both sexes are friends, and nothing more. Here's an LGBTQI+ film with a difference; asexuality is not so often talked about, and is often misunderstood. Toko Miura (so fine as the introverted driver in Drive My Car)  has the lead role here, as the isolated young woman who people constantly misinterpret. The story is sweet and moving and a worthy challenge to the commonly held concept that everyone should fall in love one day.
 
The Zen Diary: A foodie film, Japanese style, this is the story of a year in the life of  widowed Tsutomo, who lives a quiet life somewhere in the mountains. He collects wild herbs and cultivates his vegetables, occasionally sharing a meal with his editor Fumiko, who has him writing about his lifestyle. His wife is dead but he has never buried her ashes, and when his mother in law dies, he's forced to confront his feelings on death. This is a lovely slow mediation on life, death, the seasons, and a simple way of living in harmony with nature. 

CHIFF
Children's International Film Festival
In Melbourne from 8th June
For other states, ticketing and film synopses visit: www.chiff.com.au

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy top-quality children's films. With animations and live action films from all over the world, CHIFF is a festival to delight people of all ages, and with the chance to see films somewhat different from your regular Hollywood fare. With limited preview screeners available, I'll let you know the most recommended films from the curator of the festival himself, Thomas Caldwell. His top picks are: 
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds, Kensuke's Kingdom, A Greyhound of a Girl, Chicken for Linda!, Lioness, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Just Super

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