March 26th
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - feature film on Foxtel and Amazon Prime
ACORN TV - streaming service
The Stranger - series on Netflix
Paddington 2 - film on Foxtel
ACMI at home - curated films from Melbourne's home of discerning cinema

I feel as if I'm part of some strange apocalyptic film, and remain more in disbelief each day. Folks - heed the warnings, get the knowledge and follow advice from experts (like Norman Swan of the ABC), and above all please keep yourselves safe out there. When you need to chill out, what better way than to indulge yourselves in films and top-shelf TV series. Again this week I bring you a few ideas - a new streaming service, films and series on pay TV and a great new service from our wonderful ACMI. 
(Again, apologies for formatting - pulling stuff out of my archives presents extreme reformatting challenges in this program!)  

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Director: Quentin Tarantino

Length: 160 min
2019

© Sony - Pitt and di Caprio are superb together

Revisionist history and a love song to the end of Hollywood's golden era seems to be the focus of this splendidly entertaining sprawling tale, a mix of fact and fiction, set in Hollywood in 1969. Rick Dalton (Leonardo di Caprio) is a bit of a has-been, once a famous TV star but never huge in movies. His long-time stunt double Cliff (Brad Pitt) seems to be the only friend left in his life. But Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and husband Roman Polanski have moved in next door, firing Rick's hopes of reigniting his career. To go into the intricacies and details of every character would possibly spoil this film. It's a movie experience to be savoured, as it rambles its way around the many interwoven lives, including those of the Manson family of hippies hanging out on a run-down ranch, once a movie set. There are some incredibly memorable scenes; a precocious 8-year-old child-actor propping up Rick's crumbling self-esteem, Al Pacino as a crazed spaghetti western producer, Cliff's extraordinary (and significant, plot-wise!) dog salivating over an impending meal, the atmosphere of cool people and fast cars in the winding roads of the Hollywood hills, and best of all the denouement - something that never happened - which rewrites history, and is a violent, typically Tarantino-esque finale that will repel some people, and delight others. The 60s sound track is absolutely stunning, and the overall evocation of the era, with its signage, cars, hippie vibe and Hollywood glam, is inspired and flawless. Much has been written about this film, mostly positive, while the usual nay-sayers have criticisms of some of the representations of real-life characters like Bruce Lee, even Sharon Tate. All I can say is I loved it!
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

Acorn TV

Recognise a young Richard Roxburgh
and Susie Porter from the
excellent Aussie series,
East of Everything?  

For those who haven't yet heard of Acorn TV, here's the low-down. This is a streaming service offering world-class TV from Britain and beyond, featuring many of your favorite series, plus new additions every week. Complete series of shows like Foyle's War, George Gently and the Indian Doctor are there. Add in comedies like Cold Feet and The Delivery Man. Fans of crime thrillers can binge on the likes of Jack Irish, Collision and Injustice. Favorites like Broadchurch, Midsomer Murders, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and Doc Martin are available, along with much, much more. Every week, new shows and seasons are added, and stay tuned for new exclusives to turn up. 
This is great news for fans who love to binge this style of TV, but even better news is this special offer. The normal 7-day trial period has been extended to a 30-day trial period. All you do is sign up at  https://au.acorn.tv using the special code ‘ACORNTVAU30’.
I will be checking out some of the shows that call to me (preparing for square eyes) and giving you a few personal recommendations over the next however long we need to be cooped up. I've started watching London Kills, a detective drama, with the sort of solid acting we expect from BBC dramas. So far it's got me in.  

The Stranger

8 episode Netflix Series

Richard Armitage is a stand out in the lead role

Harlan Coben is a popular mystery/thriller writer. This adaptation of his book is the story of Adam (Richard Armitage) who is approached by a young woman who tells him about a secret Adam's wife has been keeping from him. When Adam confronts his wife she goes missing. The stranger continues to approach various people, either revealing secrets she claims they need to know, or demanding money not to expose those secrets. Throw in a tangled web of plot lines, from teens having a weird silent disco in the forest with one of them critically injured, a decapitated alpaca, stolen football club money, lies, deception and hidden family connections and you have a real potboiler. I found myself compulsively watching it, but being very disappointed with the major "reveal" at the end. This is often the case with both novels and series of this nature. A couple of standout performances mark the series - Armitage in the lead role, and Siobhan Finneran as the detective leading the hunt for Adam's wife.

Paddington 2

Dir: Paul King
Length: 105 min
2017

Studio Canal - Paddington is charming and irrepressible-
fun for kids and grown-ups alike

Some of you may come with preconceptions and wonder why I've given "unmissable" to this apparent kids film. Well, think again! This absolutely charming and irresistible film sets out to do what it intends, and more! Our furry friend (voiced by Ben Wishaw) is living happily in London with the Brown family (Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins plus kids), when he is unjustly accused of a crime and ends up in the clink. I shan't tell you much more of the fabulous plot, but you need to know that some top Brit actors are here. Brendan Gleeson is perfect as Knuckles the aggro prison cook, Julie Walters, as always, is splendid, along with Joanna Lumley in a fun cameo. Hugh Grant almost steals the show in one of his best camped-up roles in ages, as the villain, The plot is heartwarming yet tense, balancing Paddington's endless positivity with the challenges he now faces, and giving the audience thrills and laughs galore with whacky prison goings on, chases involving trains, a sideshow with a mystery treasure, the Brown family doing a Da Vinci Code style investigation, and a villain who is the master of impersonation and disguise. There are countless references to famous films, fabulous one-liners for both kids and adults, and a level of both humour and true emotion that I haven't experienced for a long while. Add fabulous London sets, and mind-boggling good incorporation of a CGI bear into the real world, this movie is:
5 - unmissable!

Great news from ACMI

One from the archives - Roman Holiday

Australian Centre for the Moving Image has announced an exciting new program of film offerings and workshops. I reprint excerpts from their press release: 

Virtual Cinémathèque

ACMI  have decided to launch our own Virtual Cinémathèque. Every Tuesday we'll release details of our weekly Virtual Cinémathèque via ACMI & Melbourne Cinémathèque social media. We’ll do our best to choose from freely available and accessible platforms - and for those of you who want to recreate the communal experience of watching as a collective - there is a free program called Metastream that allows you to invite your friends to watch at the same time, from your respective homes.

Info: https://www.acmi.net.au/events/melbourne-cinematheque/

Free streaming with friends: https://getmetastream.com/

ACMI at Home:

We recommend the best of ACMI to experience at home. Each week we're sharing our curatorial insight into different films, artworks, TV series or videogames, as well as where you can find them online. A perfect way to spend all those hours at home. First up is one from our archives – our 2015 film season ROMA! The Screen Life of the Eternal City.

Info: https://www.acmi.net.au/ideas/read/acmi-at-home-roma-retrospective/

Running Free: online workshops for the screen industries

We’re partnering with Media Mentors to create twice-weekly micro skills workshops for the screen industries (and keen movie lovers) that people can view on ACMI’s YouTube channel. Workshop leaders will be available on Twitter for conversation via hashtag after the workshops are uploaded at 10am every Wed and Fri. 

March 19th
Happy New Year Colin Burstead - mainstream release
The Hate U Give - showing on Foxtel 
Date Night - showing on Foxtel
The Two Popes - feature film showing on Netflix
Messiah - series on Netflix

Dear readers, like all the world I am in a state of shock, fear and disbelief at the rapid developments of the last few weeks. I am so sad for the hard-working folks from recent festivals like the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the French Film Festival, who have now had their events cancelled due to Coronavirus. And I know there are many others who have been toiling away in readiness for further festivals that probably won't see the light of day for some months. Not to mention all the regular publicists, cinema staff, programmers and everyone who does such a fabulous job to bring so much entertainment into our lives. 

 I could rave on and probably say nothing new that isn't already being said, so let me say what I am now plotting, as cinema after cinema closes, and the regular previews for movie reviewers are being postponed and cancelled. If there is a mainstream release showing and I am in a position to preview it I will attempt to still do so. Meantime, for those of you progressively housebound, and able to watch the many wonderful streaming channels, (or TV on demand) I intend to give a recap of films I've seen in the past, some from years ago, and some more recent. Occasionally I will throw in my thoughts about a series I've managed to see that I think is well worth catching. 

To my regular readers I wish you to stay healthy and safe, and I hope you will get some enlightenment and subsequent fun from my recommendations. So, until we can recline in those comfy movie-theatre seats again, happy watching at home. 

PS forgive the formatting - fishing stuff out from the past and readjusting causes me some problems!  
  

Happy New Year Colin Burstead

Dir: Ben Wheatley

Length: 95 min
Screening at  - Nova, Lido, Classic

© Dry British humour, and family dysfunction 

in abundance

Colin Burstead (Neil Maskell) has rented a grand English estate mansion to gather up his extended family to celebrate the New Year. As each relative arrives we get snippets of insight into their natures - all bringing baggage, but none more so than the black sheep of the family David (Sam Riley). As the party progresses hostilities emerge, secrets are blown open and, as with many such scenarious, much goes pear-shaped. People tend to love or hate this idiosyncratic style of British humour. I certainly enjoyed it, with each character having something realistic that people can relate to. Very cleverly, the director manages to flit from scene to scene, room to room, person to person, sometimes with only a line or two spoken. Somehow this approach builds up the plot and an overview of how the party is progressing, and what the dynamic is between each character. The humour is dry, acting terrific, and for fans of the genre the film should please. (Fans of Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones, look out for Charles Dance as Uncle Bertie, decked out in skirt and smart earrings!)  
3.5 - well recommended!

The Hate U Give

From my top ten 2019
Director: George Tillman Jnr
Length: 133 min

© Fox - A film to make you angry
 - racial injustice yet again

This film blew me away. Based upon a young adult novel, it is the story of Starr (Amandla Stenberg), a black teen at a white private school, living almost a dual life with two distinct styles of presenting herself to the world, her schoolgirl "white" self, and her ghetto black self. All is going well until she is sole witness to her childhood pal Khalil (Algee Smith) killed by a white policeman. As tensions mount within the rival black gangs in her neighbourhood, and within the black community as a whole against white injustices, Starr must decide if she has the courage to stand up and speak out. There are simply too many issues and themes to enumerate in this important, gripping and moving story, but Tillman handles them deftly, never preaching, but never shying from the hard truths of what hatred means, both between the races and within a neighborhood. The title comes from a song by murdered rapper Tupac Shakur, THUGLIFE (The Hate U Give Little Infants F...s Everyone). How relevant is this in a world, regardless of color, that still hasn't learned that lesson. The performance by Stenberg moved me to tears, (and every other cast member is simply brilliant), the rampant ignorance and prejudice enraged me, the family connections inspired me, and overall this is one mighty fine movie, not just for young adults but all of us.

4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended!

Date Night

Released 2010

Director: Shawn Levy
Length: 88 min

© Carrell and Fey in top comic form - Wahlberg
mega-buffed!

Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carrell & Tina Fey) are your average thirty-something  couple from New Jersey. Their lives have descended into marital boredom, with work and kids draining all excitement. Once a week they attempt a date night, hoping to reignite some spark. One night, hoping to get into a New York fancy restaurants and being turned down, they hear that someone hasn’t turned up for their reservation. So when they take the reservation, a serious case of mistaken identity sets in. Chased by gangsters, encountering corrupt cops, and turning for help to one of Claire’s old real estate contacts Holbrooke, the Fosters experience a date night to remember! For my taste, this is actually pretty funny stuff, no doubt brought to better-than-average standard by the excellent comedic pairing of Carrell and Fey who work exceptionally well together. The rest of the cast add just the right balance of fun – Taraji P Henson is one of the few straight cops, William Fichtner plays the sleazy District Attorney, James Franco has a terrific bit part as a hippy-cum-crim blackmailer, Mark Ruffalo is wasted in a tiny role, while Mark Wahlberg almost steals the show as Holbrooke, seen mostly without a shirt, buff, sexy and implacable - a great foil for the manic Fosters who keep pounding on his door pleading for help. I’ve never been a big rap for car chase scenes but there is one in here that almost seems new and fresh. I really fell about laughing. Overall the film moves along at a cracking pace, with plenty of wit, action and outright laughs.

The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Length: 125 min
Elsternwick Classic, Lido Hawthorn and Cameo Belgrave - then to Netflix

©  Netflix -  top performances from two 
powerhouse actors. 

Jorge Bergoglio (better known as Pope Francis, and played by Jonathan Pryce) went from being a superior in the Jesuit order in Argentina in the mid-1970s, to the position of cardinal, and ultimately Pope in 2013. This extraordinary film looks at Jorge's story, with the focus upon his meetings with his predecessor, Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins). Together the men discuss the future of the church, and reveal their misgivings to each other. A dark part of Jorge's past is revealed, concerning the time of the military dictators in Argentina, and Jorge's alleged complicity with them. I didn't expect to love this film as much as I do, but with searing performances from two brilliant actors, and a story full of compassion, many moments of humour, and important moral questions, what's not to love? There's no stuffiness or stodginess here; the true story encompasses several time periods, maintaining interest, giving intriguing insights into Argentinian history, its poverty and brutality, as well as a sneak peak into the interior of the Vatican. Even if you eschew religion, you cannot help but be impressed by the basic humanity, (even moments of ordinariness), displayed by the popes, along with great humility and wisdom. This is a rare insight into the inner workings of a faith followed by 1.2 billion of the world's people, and how its leaders are trying to keep it modern and relevant.

4 - highly recommended!

Messiah

10 episodes - 43 minutes each

©  Netflix -  rivetting stuff, charismatic lead actor

This totally addictive series of 10 episodes is a thriller with a goodly dose of religious and political overtones. It’s important not to blow too many critical plot points, so let’s try to pique your interest without giving away too much. In Damascus a street preacher (played by the charismatic Mehdi Dehbi) preaches to a crowd that their city will be safe from ISIS. When that comes to pass he leads a group of followers to the Israeli border where they are stranded, causing an international incident, and he is arrested. By now his devotees are calling him Al Masih – the Messiah. He subsequently escapes from prison and incredibly disappears. The CIA are called in to help the Israelis find him. Eva Geller (Michelle Monaghan) heads up the investigation. Meanwhile a small Texas town has just been hit by a tornado. Al Masih inexplicably turns up there and interest in him and allegiance to him grow rapidly. Ok, no more said of this involved and intriguing plot. The series seems so relevant to the world today (well, the world just pre-Corona) with its themes of refugees, blind allegiance to religious cults, the (remote) possibility that a person of peace could influence war-mongering politicians, and of course the big one – just who is this man? Con artist or something infinitely more miraculous? Dehbi is a glorious screen presence, the plot never flags, production is immaculate and this is one to either savour, or just binge straight through. 

March 12th
Queen and Slim
In Fabric
French Film Festival
Melbourne Queer Film Festival

Two new feature films this week. And two wonderful film festivals - the Melbourne Queer FF and the Alliance Francaise French FF. What a selection, what a smorgasbord of choice. 

Queen and Slim

Dir: Melina Matsoukas

Length: 132 min

© Universal - clever blend of light-heartedness and 
deathly serious issues

Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) and Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) are on a first date when the police pull their car over. Queen is a lawyer and makes the mistake of arguing with the cop. The incident escalates, and Slim shoots the policeman in self-defense. The couple, who were never going to have a second date, go on the run, but a video that Queen has taken goes viral and the couple become celebrities and symbols of black resistance. Their dangerous journey, heading for Cuba, takes them to Queen's estranged uncle, and on through many towns and places where their notoriety has preceded them. This film is very watchable - the lead pair have terrific chemistry and there is a lot of humour injected into the script, despite the serious subject matter. Cinematography is flawless. In the era of Black Lives Matter this is an important film, showing yet again the fear that many black people live in, and the brutality and prejudice of white police towards them.
4 - highly recommended!

In Fabric
Director: Peter Strickland
Length: 118 mins

 © Arcadia - the bargain dress you get at the sales
may be more than you bargained for!

Recently separated Sheila (Marianne Jean Baptiste) buys an exotic red dress from a London department store. After wearing it, she develops a nasty rash, and, from that point on, her life goes from bad to worse. The dress finds its way to other owners, but wherever it goes, eerie happenings occur and misfortune follows. Bizarro maxima! This is one of the weirdest but oddly compelling films I've seen in a while. To categorise it is challenging - a sort of erotically charged, fantasy/horror/surreal haunted dress tale! Critics seem to love it; audiences not so much. Peculiar characters pepper the film - Sheila's employers at the bank, her son's girlfriend (Gwendoline Christie from Game of Thrones), Reg Speaks, the washing machine repairman, his fiance Babs (Hayley Squires), but none so weird as the bewigged sales assistant Miss Luckmoore (Fatma Mohamed), who speaks in poetic riddles and seems to be kinky, twisted and malevolent beyond belief. The film blends implicit sexuality, horror and surrealistic art-house vibes with a color-saturated look. At times satirical (humorous?) dialogue baffles, and the whole resembles some sort of twisted fashion-infused nightmare. Fans of a certain sort of horror will no doubt love it. 
2.5 - maybe!

The Melbourne Queer Film Festival

Melbourne: March 12 - 23

Venues: Village Jam Factory, Cinema Nova, The Capitol

For program details visit https://mqff.com.au/

MQFF celebrates its 30th birthday this year. What a milestone! With 140 feature films, short films, docos, workshops and more, this is a true celebration and showcase of the LGBTQI community and its wonderful filmmakers. And don't worry if you're not queer - you can find many films that will have resonance for everyone. I'm lucky enough to have previewed a few. 

Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America: This award-winning doco follows the attempts of four asylum LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees who have fled persecution and violence in their home countries. Cheyenne and Mari leave Angola, Junior escapes the Congo, while Subhi runs from Syria. All arrive in San Francisco and start the long bureaucratic process of being accepted in the USA. The refugee crisis per se is one of the most pressing issues of our time, but add the burden of general discrimination on the basis of one's sexuality and you have even more stress. The four subjects chosen are wonderful screen presences - interesting and articulate, while the kindness of strangers who advocate for them and take them in is overwhelming and moving. This testament to human kindness and resilience makes the doco a must-see.   

15 Years: This brilliant Israeli film is the story of Yoav and Dan, a couple who've been together for 15 years. When Yoav's best friend Alma announces she is pregnant, Dan starts to imagine the idea of fatherhood. Many of the same-sex couples around them are rearing kids, but Yoav is horrified by the idea. The tension that starts to arise in their relationship causes Yoav's life to spiral out of control. This is a deeply emotional movie; I'd imagine couples of any sexual orientation could relate to: what happens when one partner wants something out of life that is is so diametrically opposed to the desires of the other. Brilliantly acted and scripted, it's a compelling picture of a relationship in crisis. 

The Shiny Shrimps: Director Cedric Le Gallo is a member of a Parisian water polo team which welcomes gay, lesbian and transgender players. He's made a fictional comedy inspired by the team, featuring imaginary straight Olympic swimmer Matthias who has made public homophobic remarks. As penance he's "invited" to coach the Shiny Shrimps, a rag-tag collection of not-so-talented players who are hoping to compete in the Gay Games in Croatia. The film is fairly predictable, following the well-loved formula of underdog sporting teams, but there is so much exuberance and feel-good humour, it is sure to appeal to lovers of French comedy (and water polo). With a fun-filled travelling bus (think Priscilla), and gorgeous guys in their speedos, there's plenty of fun to be had here. 

Drag Kids: Nine-year-old drag queens are not people you come across every day. This intriguing doco features four youngsters who simply love dressing in drag, three boys and one girl. The parents are 100% supportive of their kids' wishes to be who they are, and dress how they like, but some critics dislike the idea of  young kids going into competitions that showcase any aspect of young sexuality (even though the parents vehemently deny this is part of it.) Ultimately the film is a celebration not only of drag, and all the fun and glitz it incorporates, but also firmly advocates letting kids follow their hearts, while repudiating conservative, disapproving voices and other kids who bully anyone who is in any way different.
  

Bonnie and Bonnie: The Afghan-born director looks at the what it's like to be stifled within a Muslim family. The story is told through the eyes of Yara, who is being forcibly betrothed to a boy she cares nothing for. When Yara meets leather-jacketed, tomboyish bartender Kiki, a love develops between the two girls. Yara's brother Bekim is determined to put a stop to this "shame", but the girls go on the run like Bonnie and Clyde. The lead actresses are charismatic with strong chemistry, while the plot is yet another timely reminder of the grief that parents cause their children by not letting them be themselves.

5B: Canadian director Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby, Crash) has made this inspirational doco about a seminal time in the history of the treatment of AIDS. In 1983 ward 5B was set up in a San Francisco hospital. There, a team of compassionate and brave caregivers and nurses radicalised the treatment of this illness, about which there was so much fear and misinformation. These generous people gave of their hearts, with loving human touch instead of rubber gloves, and fought for the rights of patients to basic human dignity. With testimony from those who worked at the time, archival footage of now-deceased patients and survivors, and an examination of community and governmental attitudes, this is not only an important  historical record, but a celebration of the bravery and goodness within ordinary people. 

Unsound: Aussie-born Noah, who was raised in England, quits the music tour he's on to  return to Oz to see his estranged mother. At the local community Deaf Centre he meets Finn, a young trans man in the very early stages of transitioning. Noah finds inspiration for his music and Finn finds support and understanding from Noah. Yiana Pandelis, who plays Finn, is a hearing impaired girl, while Reece Noi (Noah) has learned Auslan for the role. Credit to the film-makers for tackling hearing impairment and transgender issues in the one story. Pandelis and Noi have a nice on-screen chemistry, and an additional plus is Christine Anu in the role of Moniqua, the singer Noah backs. Other cast members are somewhat wooden, and at times the dialogue feels clunky, so the moments of sweetness at times give way to an amateur feel. 

Queer Japan: This doco features a wonderful assortment of interesting people from the LGBTI community across Japan. From a creator of erotic manga, to a kinky fetishist, to the first elected transgender politician (and others), this is an eye-opening look at how members of the community express themselves and get on in a society that is both quite conservative, but also has a long history of sexual fluidity. For those who love Japan, or have never been there, there is much to also enjoy in the various settings and creative cinematography, at times almost feeling like like a top-shelf vibrant video clip.   

Distance: Winning many awards in the Philippines, this beautiful and sad drama is the story of Liz, who returns to her family after a five-year absence. Gradually the reasons for her departure are revealed. Her husband is endlessly calm and understanding, but trying to rebuild a relationship with her two daughters is the challenge. To compound matters, the older daughter (an absolutely stunning performance) is going through her own struggle as she becomes attracted to another girl. This is a superbly acted drama, with an intensity and intelligence in dealing with its themes of desire and closely-guarded secrets.  

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
Melbourne: March 11 - April 8
On at all the Palace Cinemas
For other states, program details and times, visit https://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org/

Back for its 31st year, this is one of the most popular film festivals in Australia. As always there is a smorgasbord of premiere feature films, documentaries, animation and more. Artistic director Philippe Patel stresses that this year's festival exchanges "easy laughs" for stories of a more serious nature, centering on the sorts of societies we would hope to build together. And even when the laughs come, they still offer plenty of food for thought. It looks like an amazing program, and here's a few I've previewed: 

The Swallows of Kabul
Director: Zabou Breitman & Elea Gobbe-Mevellec:
Length: 81 mins
Here is one of the most exquisite animations I've seen in a very long time. Based upon a novel, the directors have created a gentle water color style to bring to life the terribly sad story of two couples, living in Kabul under the Taliban. One is a prison warden and his dying wife, the other a modern couple aspiring to get away from the daily living nightmare. Twists of fate will make their lives collide. Every character has a complex nuanced emotional life, and each depiction is unique, totally credible, and enough to sweep you away in a tide of feeling. A much lauded and awarded film, it is a must-see. 

Farewell to the Night
Director: Andre Techine
Length: 103 mins
French icon Catherine Deneuve plays Muriel, who runs a horse-riding school and a cherry farm. Her grandson Alex (Kacey Mottet Klein) comes to visit, and to see his girlfriend Lila, who has worked for Muriel for years. Gradually Muriel discovers that Alex has been radicalised by Lila and that the pair are planning to head to Syria to fight for ISIS. This film puts an intensely human face upon the vexatious topic of religious fanaticism. All the relationships are beautifully drawn, acting is uniformly superb, and the film makes for very thought-provoking viewing.  

Aznavour by Charles
Director: Marc de Domenico & Charles Aznavour
Length: 83 mins
Beloved French singer Charles Aznavour (1933-2018) had a long and glorious career crooning to fans around the world. In 1948 Edith Piaf gifted him a Bolex camera, which he then used to document nearly every moment of his life, from that day forward. Before his death at the age of 93, Charles collaborated with the film's director to trawl through his film and diary archive and put together this fantastic documentary. Through the painstaking knitting together of footage, plus a voice-over, taken from Charles' diaries and spoken by Romain Duris, we get an extraordinary insight into the man. His many marriages, love affairs, relationships with famous friends, are fascinating, but more so is his use of language - a poetic view of the world, life, music, and his Armenian heritage. And of course a selection of his exquisite songs in that haunting tremolo trademark voice. I felt surprisingly affected by this moving film. A must-see for Aznavour fans. 

La Belle Epoque
Director: Nicolas Bedos
Length: 115mins
Victor (Daniel Auteuil) is in his seventies. His wife Marianne (Fanny Ardant) has lost all interest in him and his career as a cartoonist is on the wane, partly because he is technophobic, loathing all manner of modernity. He meets Antoine (Guillaume Canet) who runs a company specialising in unique theatrical experiences, where customers pay to visit a historical period of their choosing and to re-enact carefully constructed fantasies. Victor opts for a particular week in the 1970s, the one when he met the love of his life. I did not expect to be so moved and delighted by this playful, sweet, nostalgic film. The whole 70s disco, big moustache, flaired trousers thing is beautifully done, as is the lovely setting of the Belle Epoque Cafe (with obvious reference to a previous film!) Auteuil gives a great turn as a guy rediscovering his joie-de-vivre. The film really was food for thought as I mulled over exactly what time in my life, or further back, I would choose to experience. 

How to Become an Astronaut
Director: Jurgen Hansen & Pierre-Emanuel Le Goff
Length: 71 mins
At the age of 38. Thomas Pesquet became the youngest ever French astronaut. This insightful doco tracks the gruelling training regime he must go though, along with two other astronauts, before they are launched on their way to a six-month mission at the International Space Station. Anyone wanting to be an astronaut will be completely enthralled by this, and anyone not so committed to the idea may well be deterred.   

Zombi Child
Director: Bertrand Bonello
Length: 101 mins
France's troubled political history with Haiti is the backdrop to this fascinating, entertaining  film which has two threads, one of a Haitian man in the 1960s who is buried alive, then resuscitated as a Zombi to work in the sugar plantations. The other is the story of Melissa, a Haitian student at a prestigious French boarding school, whose friends become curious about her culture and background. Close friend Fanny becomes obsessed with what she learns of voodoo from Melissa, leading to some shocking events in her life. I'm no zombie buff, but this so fascinated me that I went researching exactly what Haitians believe as regards voodoo and zombis. All the young women turn in great performances, the atmospheric filming is strong, and the whole film thoughtfully plays with one's expectations of the genre, and an entire cultural history.