August 22nd
Blinded by the Light
Australian Dream
Dogman

It's another strong week for film: a delightful music-themed movie (Springsteen is the soundtrack), a must-see and timely doco for all Australians, and a gritty Italian drama. 

Blinded by the Light
Director: Gurinda Chadha
Length: 120 min

© Universal - I'm a sucker for music stories.
Springsteen inspires a young boy to greater heights.

Javed (Viveik Kalra) is the 16-year-old son of Pakistani immigrants, and an aspiring writer. Frustrated by the traditional expectations of his family, he becomes inspired to follow his dream when his Sikh friend introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen. Something in the Boss's celebration of the working class hero lights a fire in Javed, and, encouraged by his English teacher (Hayley Atwell), he starts to see a possible future for himself. Based upon the true memoirs of English journalist Sarfraz Manzour, this film is definitely not one for the cynics amongst you. Jaded critics sometimes label this type of film formulaic and schmaltzy . . . but that is to discount its overwhelming charm and entertainment value. Something in Chadha's style captures the sweet optimism and innocence of youth, and Kalra is such a gorgeous screen presence, he carries the film to extra heights. There's also a winning cross-cultural love story, with Nell Williams as girlfriend Eliza, and a disturbing sub-plot of the racist neo-Nazi movement of Thatcher's Britain. Fortunately there is no attempt to wring jaded humour out of Javed's struggling parents; both are played with empathy and subtlety. A cameo by Rob Brydon is an unexpected delight. The film is an unashamed celebration of Bruce; his lyrics are displayed on screen when Javed listens, and the entire soundtrack pays homage to the best of Bruce. The film is an absolute crowd-pleaser and a joy to watch. (Try not to sing out loud in the cinema!)
4 - highly recommended!

The Australian Dream
Director: Stan Grant
Length: 106  min

© Madman- everyone should see this film.
 It should shame Aussies, and hopefully
inspire change at the same time. 

In the winter of 2015 something unthinkable happened on the hallowed turf of Australia's footy fields. Crowds booed, jeered and racially vilified Brownlow medallist and revered Indigenous footballer Adam Goodes until he could take it no more, and left the game. This doco traces what happened, but it is also much more than that - it is the shameful story of racism in Australia as seen through the prism of  Goodes' experience.  The film is stunningly crafted, with journalist Stan Grant, also an Indigenous man, cutting to the nitty gritty of how this country has never really acknowledged the truth of its grim, murderous history, especially the wicked idea that the land was "terra nullius", essentially obliterating any rights of our First Nations people. People who don't like footy may say they are not interested in this film, but it should be essential viewing for all Aussies, as a revelation of how this country needs to come to grips with its past. It is also as a magnificent tribute to a fine and proud man, who is a wonderful screen presence and a brilliant spokesperson for his people, and against racism. Archival footage of  the sad and sorry years of mistreatment of Aborigines, as well as explanations from the heart of how the recent incident made Goodes feel, all make the film rivetting, intensely personal, and cause for Australia to reflect long and hard about how these injustices can be redressed  and reconciliation effected.
5 - unmissable!

Dogman
Director: Matteo Garrone
Length: 103  min

© Palace - gritty Italian drama with many 
moral ambiguities

In a small run-down Italian town, Marcello (Marcello Fonte) runs his modest business as a dog-groomer, with an occasional side-business of dealing cocaine to make ends meet. He is much liked, is kindness personified (to the dogs), and is a loving, generous dad to his little daughter Alida. But the local town bully and borderline psychopath Simone (Edoardo Pesce) starts asking things of Marcello that the timid man doesn't want to do, but seems unable to go against. The ramifications for Marcello's life are massive. Like many movies, it doesn't serve viewers well for me to say too much here. The film is one of those that feels low-key, yet one's reactions build long after it is over, partly because it tells of injustice, intimidation and of people who are deluded that they are doing something worthy which is in fact very wrong. Garrone made the wonderful Gomorrah, about organised crime in Naples. He has a good handle upon the rough side of Italian life, but he also shows great insight into the heart of a sad and (initially) weak man. Fonte's performance is so strong, in a slow burn way, and the film has won many heavy-duty awards, including Palme Dog for best canine cast!
4 - highly recommended!