March 12th 2026
Anemone
Arco
The Plague
More from the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
Skyscraper Live (streaming on Netflix)
This week's films are all wonderful, albeit very intense! Teen trauma features large in Alpha and The Plague. The two light and bright spots are the doco on Michel Legrand, playing at the French Film Festival, and the Oscar-nominated animation Arco.
Anemone
Dir: Ronan Day Lewis
 |
© Universal - the return of acting legend,
Daniel Day-Lewis |
The sins of the fathers . . . here they are again in this rather austere drama, marking the comeback of iconic actor Daniel Day-Lewis after an 18-year absence from the screen. Ray (DDL) is a veteran of the Irish "troubles". After returning from the wars, he had left his wife Nessa (Samantha Morton), and in-utero son Brian (Samuel Bottomley) and has lived ever since as a recluse in the forest. Brian, now 20, has gone AWOL from the British army after severely bashing a fellow soldier. Jem, (Sean Bean), Ray's estranged brother has been with Nessa ever since and has raised Brian as his own. He and Nessa believe Brian needs to meet his biological father, so Jem heads off to try to convince Ray to meet his son. Most of the film takes place in Ray's rough and gloomy shack, as the two brothers hash over the past. Scenes of the brothers' intense conversations are interspersed with Nessa trying to handle Brian and run her daily life. A couple of memorable monologues remind us of the acting prowess of Day-Lewis, whose Ray spans an emotional arc running from toxic masculinity through to extreme vulnerability. We see how the cycle of violence is passed through the generations and how war trauma shapes lives. Bean, though quieter in his role, is also very impressive. Despite not a lot happening, important themes are raised, and as an actors' piece, there is much to be admired. 3.5 - well recommended
Arco
Dir: Ugo Bienvenue & Gilles Cazeaux
 |
| © Madman - gorgeous on every level |
Another film with many awards and nominations to its name, plus the big one: nominated for Best Animation at this year's Oscars. The year is 2075, and a little girl called Iris witnesses a boy in a rainbow suit plummet out of the sky to the earth. We've already met Arco in the opening sequences - his life in the far future is a peaceful one, where people live in homes up among the clouds, and can time travel in their rainbow suits. But Arco has defied his parents' rule that kids under twelve must not fly, hence he's now in a precarious situation, having lost a vital lost gemstone needed to operate his flying suit. Iris lives in a world beset by raging fires and violent storms, where only a protective bubble can ensure safety. Iris' parents work far away and visit her by hologram, so she is cared for by a kindly robot called Mikki. Like so many good animations, this one has plenty of worthwhile themes relevant to issues today - environmental degradation, climate change, technological innovations and more. But the basic human touchstone of friendship anchors the tale, with the tender, moving friendship forged between Iris and Arco, along with Mikki's self-sacrificial care for his two young charges. The music is glorious, and the animation itself is varied and lovely, at times a little Miyaki-esque, and at other times totally original.4 - highly recommended
The Plague
Dir: Charlie Polinger
 |
© Rialto - an ineffectual adult can't keep
bullying boys under control |
Boys in their early teens can be horrifically cruel. In this unsettling story they make life hell for two outsiders at a water polo camp. Ben (Everett Blunck) is a seemingly confident boy, a good natured vegan with a friendly and compassionate nature. He feels for Eli (Kenny Rasmusen), who is ostracised by the other boys because he has a body rash, which they all refer to as "the plague". Ben is desperate to fit in, and he soon finds himself caught up in a web of bullying and divided loyalties. From the opening scene of bodies moving like seals through the shimmering swimming pool, through to the distressing final scenes, the prowling cinematography evokes the nightmare of adolescent trauma and embryonic masculine toxicity, which is the true plague of the story. All the young actors are brilliant, with Kayo Martin especially wonderful as tousle-headed Jake, a boy whose cherubic looks belie his nasty character. Joel Edgerton as polo coach Daddy Waggs embodies an ineffectual adult unable to curb the increasingly threatening behaviour of the boys. In today's world, where bullying is an existential threat to youngsters, this impressive film is important, (and much awarded) even if it is diffcult to watch.4 - highly recommended
More from Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
Melbourne now on until April 8
Palace Cinemas
For all dates in regional cities and other states, along with synopses, ticketing etc visit:
Still plenty of time to catch the films in this popular festival. I promised you some more recommendations, and here they are, with the first being a stand-out:
Once Upon a Time: Michel Legrand Music lovers should not miss this stunning tribute to the legendary musician, who, in a career that spanned over half a century, composed more than 200 scores for film and television, creating some of the most memorable film music out. Director David Dessites has assembled previously unseen archival footage, along with interviews with many directors, musicians and actors who have worked with Legrand over the years. The doco traces Michel's passion for music which started with a love of jazz when he was a boy, and then follows his collaboration with iconic French directors, and on to Hollywood. He is revealed as a multi-talented musician, who could play jazz and classical piano, was a consummate conductor and could even sing. The film focuses on Legrand as a very old, sometimes irascible man, still composing, playing fluidly, and giving his all to rapturous concert audiences. It constantly toggles between his final years, and the chronological development of his career, including interviews with such music legends as Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Sting, Catherine Deneuve and so many more. This captivating doco fills me with a sense of awe, at a man's talent and the love the world has for him and his enduring legacy.
Matt Vasseur (Pierre Niney) is a charismatic motivational speaker and personal coach who leads rapturous followers at almost cultish meetings. But when the government decides to enforce strict regulations around the industry, demanding formal qualifications, Matt's lucrative career is under threat. This psychological thriller looks at the shady world of these type of leaders, and examines where the fine line lies between motivation and control. Niney gives an electric performance, bringing an intense power to his character, along with the narcissim that often goes with this personality type. The plot exposes the leader's hypocrisy, purporting to care deeply for his followers, but having a self-protective instinct that will stop at little to preserve his empire.
Young teen, Alpha, (Melissa Boros) returns home with an amateur tattoo, causing her mother, a doctor, to become paranoid that she might have contracted a blood-borne disease that turns people progressively into stone. The film has parable-like resonance for societal fear that surrounded HIV and Covid, but also explores family dynamics, as Alpha's drug-addicted uncle moves in with them. Boros powerfully conveys the challenging teen years, rebellious yet still needing her mother, and distraught at her ostracism by the other kids, who fear her bleeding arm. Tahar Rahim as Uncle Amin is memorable, and despite moments that feel discordant, this is a gripping exploration of family, fear, illness and body trauma from Palme d'Or-winnning director Julia Ducourneau (Titane).
Skyscraper Live
Dir: Joe DeMaio
Length: 120 mins
Streaming on Netflix
 |
| © Netflix - don't try this at home! |
Did you see the 2018 documentary Free Solo, in which climber Alex Honnold climbs El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without any safety ropes? Well, the nail-biting intensity of that one is outdone in this Netflix special, which was broadcast live, and is now edited into a rivetting doco. Daredevil Alex now decides to scale Tapei 101, one of the world tallest buildings . . . without any safety equipment. Agonising minute by minute we watch him do seemingly impossible feats, using finger grips, shoes soles, and unimaginably strong leg muscles to ascend like a mountain goat this building of steel, glass and overhanging sections that defy logic. Those with fear of heights had better not watch, but if you want a suspenseful two hours of watching a brave (and foolhardy?) athlete, this is for you.3.5 - well recommended
