Hursto's five minute films: August 2020

Tuesday 25 August 2020

August 27th

Les Miserables
Older than Ireland
Swallows of Kabul
Okja

Nothing new to say: much of Australia except poor old Victoria is at the movies, so here are a couple of films getting cinema release. But with those of us locked down in mind, I also review a couple you can access online. Two of the films are mighty serious and somewhat disturbing, while two are light-hearted and may help to dissipate the lockdown blues.

Les Miserables

Dir: Ladj Ly

Length: 103 mins
In cinemas - except Victoria - aargh!

Not to be confused with the classic story by Victor Hugo, this multi-award-winning film is a contemporary story about the relationship between a police anti-crime squad and multi-racial groups who live in Montfermeil, an impoverished outer suburb of Paris. Fair-minded, compassionate Stephane (Damien Bonnard), joins an unscrupulous duo - Chris (Alexis Manenti) and Gwada (Djebril Zonga) who've worked the area for 10 years. He is shocked by what he sees, and when the arrest of a young kid who has stolen a lion cub from a local circus gets violent, everything goes- pear-shaped. The director has been inspired by the real-life 2005 Paris riots, and it feels so authentic and disturbing, making for a not-to-be-missed film. (At moments, resonant of La Haine). No Hollywood gung-ho action or stereotyped music here; just a total immersion into the daily world of everyone, a slow getting to know the characters, then wham - the already mounting tension breaks loose into a gripping, confronting and morally challenging climax. No one is painted black and white; the fair-handed approach really gets us thinking, and as both a social insight plus a brilliant story, this one's a winner.
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Older Than Ireland

Dir: Alex Fegan

Length: 81 mins

Streaming on DocPlay

After watching this totally entertaining documentary, I feel vaguely cheered, my faith in the possibility of aging without losing one's marbles restored. Director Fegan interviews thirty Irish centenarians (the oldest being 113!), as they reminisce on life, love, history, modern times, and all things in between. Uplifting and enlightening, this is feel-good viewing (though anything but sentimental). The characters are simply delightful to spend time with, and how great to see the focus on aged people who are witty, intelligent, and not treated in a condescending manner.

4 - highly recommended

The Swallows of Kabul

Director: Zabou Breitman & Elea Gobbe-Mevellec:

Length: 81 mins

In cinemas all states except Victoria

Here is one of the most exquisite animations I've seen in a very long time. Basing their film 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. Never kid yourself that animation is only for kids!
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Okja

Dir: Bong Joon Ho

Length: 118 mins

Streaming on Netflix

For ten years Mija (An Seo Hyun) has been raising Okja, a genetically engineered super pig, in the far-flung Korean mountains. The pig program is the brain-child of the Mirando corporation headed by Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton), and publicised by zany celebrity vet Johnny (Jake Gyllenhaal). When Okja is taken to New York for the super-pig awards, it seems other agendas are afoot, from meat production, to animal liberation raids. Bong (known for The Host and Snowpiercer) has sure come up with an odd-ball film here. It is a total mash up of comedy and drama, overlaid with animal rights issues, girl-loves-pet sentimentality and action scenes that border on slapstick. I'm not quite sure at what audience it's aimed - kids could have fun with it, though there are dark moments. Gyllenhaal and Swinton are both so over-the-top in their performances, it really made me laugh (though not everyone's bag). While at moments I thought, this is just too much of a hotch-potch, I found myself overall highly entertained, and just can't get the vision of this wonderful CGI super-pig creation out of my mind. (Note: it was nominated for a Palme D'or at Cannes, 2017).
3.5 - well recommended

Thursday 13 August 2020

August 13th

Made in Italy
La Belle Epoque

More from MIFF:
The Fever
The Leadership
Shirley

Strange days indeed Mama! And they just keep on getting stranger, as films release in other parts of Oz, we Melburnians watch MIFF online, and have no clue when and if life will ever again be experienced without a mask! So non-Victorians may pick up the first two films in a real cinema (aghast!) - the rest of us will wait.
(PS - Blogger is playing up something ghastly, and about to change its interface which looks like a further nightmare, so please forgive formatting problems now and in future.)

Made in Italy
Dir: James D'Arcy
Length: 120 mins

Robert (Liam Neeson) heads off to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Micheal Richardson, Neeson's actual son) to sell the old family villa in Tuscany which they have inherited from Robert's late wife. They plan a quick DIY renovation, then a quick sale through local agent Kate (Lindsay Duncan). But as work progresses (badly), and Jack meets local chef Natalia (Valeria Bilello), it seems father and son may be able to sort out past difficulties. Yes, the plot is fairly predictable, but there is much to enjoy in this good looking, light-weight sweet story of family, travel, ambition and reconciliation. Nice to see Neeson in a more human role than his many recent action-hero guises, and of course what's not to love of scenes of glorious Tuscany and atmospheric Italian villas and restaurants.

3.5 - well recommended

La Belle Epoque
Director: Nicolas Bedos
Length: 115mins

delightful, whimsical reflection on the past

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.
4 - highly recommended

MORE from MIFF
Still running until August 23rd, there are many more days and nights to enjoy MIFF online. Remember that the Shorts program is entirely free, so why not log in and give it a go. Heaps of terrific short films local and international are on offer. www.2020.miff.com.au. A few more I've previewed are:

The Fever
Director: Maya Da-Rin
Length: 95 mins

Winning the top critics' award at the Locarno FF, this is the story of a man caught between the white world, where he works as a security guard, and his Indigenous origins in the Brazilian rainforest. When his daughter announces she is leaving for medical school, he develops a mysterious fever. Slowly and thoughtfully crafted, the film is a slow-burn heartfelt picture of lives trapped between two worlds. Beautifully acted by the small cast, and with a soundtrack of buzzing insects that evokes the humidity and oppression, it is an unusual, film well worth watching for its insight into worldwide problems concerning First Nations peoples, and for its fascinating portrayal of a way of life we know so little about.

The Leadership
Director: Ili Bare
Length: 97mins

76 scientists go on an inaugural all-women trip to the Antarctic. It is a leadership course, aimed at addressing global inequalities in regard to the role of women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine.) One of several facilitators is Fabian Dattner, whose approach seems to jar with the women, and somehow a lot more baggage is unearthed than initially expected. This is a VERY important doco, generating a lot of discussion about how important it is for women to have much more involvement in STEMM fields. A special MIFF talk will take place on Sunday 15th August, featuring some of the women from the film:

https://2020.miff.com.au/film/miff-talks-stories-from-the-leadership-women-in-stem/

Shirley

Director: Josephine Decker
Length: 107 mins

Here's a surprise late addition to the MIFF program. Fans of Elisabeth Moss are in for a treat in this rather dark story, loosely based upon a period in the life of horror writer Shirley Jackson. Shirley and her husband take in a young couple to live with them for a while, and proceed to decimate the pair psychologically. This seems to give Shirley, who has been suffering writer's block, a new impetus to forge ahead with her work. For me Shirley and husband are too nasty to actually enjoy spending time with, but it is a showcase for Moss, and worth seeing on that basis alone. Also an interesting reflection upon the intersection between life and art.

Thursday 6 August 2020

August 6th - 23rd
MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival - online):
Some Kind of Heaven
Bombay Rose
Lara
The Letter
Coded Bias
Prayer for a Lost Mitten
Bloody Nose Empty Pockets

For MIFF-o-philes it's finally here, but online this year! For the next two and a half weeks you can watch the best in international film, all from the comfort of your own sofa! Go to www.2020.miff.com.au for all the details. Meantime lucky me has reviewed several, all highly recommended, for your consideration.

Some Kind of Heaven
Dir: Lance Oppenheim
Length: 83 mins

Imagine Baby Boomers spending their days and nights as if they are young again - dancing, golfing, hooking up, in fact on a perpetual holiday without having to work. That's life in a ginormous (now 130,000 people) retirement village in Florida, known as The Villages. This insightful doco focuses on four people trying to live that fun life, but nevertheless facing the inevitable issues of growing older - loneliness, health and money problems, addiction, in fact the usual stuff of life. Maybe one can never escape what it means to age, but these folk are sure having fun trying. There's a bitter-sweet edge to this engaging doco, which is beautifully shot and could help you to see aging in a new light. (BTW, I spent a couple of days there four years ago, while on holiday, staying with a friend of my husband's. It really has to be seen to be believed, but not sure I'd want to live there!)

Bombay Rose

Dir:Gitanjali Rao
Length: 93 mins

Kamala works by day selling flowers on the streets on Bombay and dances by night in a club. She catches the eye of another flower seller Salim, but he is Muslim and she is Hindu. Meantime a thuggish creep wants to whisk her away to Dubai. Throw into the mix Mrs de Souza, English teacher to Kamala's sister, a mute boy who helps Kamala's grandpa mend antique toys, and the general chaos that is Bombay (Mumbai today), and you have a quintessentially Indian film that is vibrant, and true to life.. Eight years ago I saw a short by Rao at the Fort Cochin Bienalle (in Kerala India), and thought her to be a stunning film-maker. This debut feature film lives up to that promise, and is a treat for all the senses, with a fabulous soundtrack of Gazals (classical Indian songs), upbeat songs, and exquisite animation that captures both the mythology and tradition of India, and its modern beating heart. The variety of painting styles are numerous, making for a captivating, absolutely unique film.

Lara
Dir: Jan-Ole Gerster
Length: 98 mins

This impressive German drama has won a truckload of awards. A powerful drama, it portrays mother Lara (Corinna Harfouch), who gave up on her own musical talents years ago, but poured her energies into pushing her son Viktor (Tom Schilling) to become a top pianist. The trouble is Lara has mixed motivations - she is proud of Viktor, but also insanely jealous, bitter and resentful of his success. In the course of one day, when Viktor is to premiere his new composition at an evening concert, Lara goes through the wringer of emotions, even giving away tickets to Viktor's show to random strangers. This film is all about the nuances of emotions; Harfouch's performance is outstanding, despite Lara being someone one does not enjoy spending time with. The musical soundtrack complements the narrative, and for fans of deep and meaningful mother/son stories, this should hit the spot.

The Letter
Dir: Christopher King, Maia Lekow
Length: 81 mins

Karisa lives in the Kenyan city of Mombassa. He heads to the rural village where his 90-year-old Grandma has been quietly tending her patch of land, up until the time a relative sends a letter accusing her of witchcraft. She is apparently the cause of all manner of ills from women's barrenness to various illnesses. Many old women accused of witchcraft have been killed so Karisa goes to investigate, while director King documents the proceedings. This is a fascinating insight into a life we would seldom see - simple, humble village life, with a hefty side-serve of superstition and ignorance. Tragic that again old folk are in the firing line, as a whipping-post for every other bit of life's misfortunes the younger ones experience. The doco is also beautifully filmed, with some stunning scenery (when it's not just barren dirt), and colorful traditions.

Prayer for a Lost Mitten
Dir: Jean Francois Lesage
Length: 79 mins

Winning the top award at the Canadian Documentary Festival, this is a beautiful, melancholy, reflective feature documentary, set in the Montreal winter. After an extraordinary opening sequence of snow falling at night, we meet a variety of anxious people at the lost property section of the transit office, searching for such lost items as hats, keys, and scarves. When the director later tracks them down and interviews them we learn a lot more about the true meaning of loss in their lives - loss of loved ones, of youth, of relationships - the stuff we all share in common. The timelessly evocative black and white cinematography makes the whole thing like an elegaic poem - rich, evocative and simply exquisite to look at, while provoking thought and self-reflection in us all.

Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets
Dir: Bill Ross, Turner Ross
Length: 98 mins

Las Vegas bar, the Roaring 20s, is closing down and a group of heavy-drinking regulars celebrate from morning right through until the wee hours of next morning. Mike is a thoughtful ex-actor, Pam likes to show off her boobs, a drag queen flaunts his stuff, others want to argue, cry, hug, regret, pronounce love, denounce politicians, while the amiable barman loves to grab his guitar and sing. Most of the men have a crush on Shay who also tends bar and has a wayward teenage son. I really believed that these were the actual characters, until I read that this is a film experiment using actors to play themselves in what is essentially an improv exercise. Boy, does it work well. Everything they say feels totally authentic; one can feel their joy, pain and regret. Though not a lot happens, this is one of the most enjoyable times I could spend with a bunch of people in a place I'd probably be reluctant to ever step into. Innovative, novel and entertaining.

Coded Bias
Dir: Shalini Kantayya
Length: 81 mins

© MIFF - persons of color, women and people who've
crossed the legal line- watch out for the inbuilt bias
being used in all manner of invasive technologies

When AI researcher Joy Buolamwini finds a facial recognition program seems unable to recognise her, she begins to further investigate algorithmic coding of many data systems. What she discovers is absolutely shocking: not only do so many technologies have inbuilt bias on the basis of color, they also discriminate around gender and social standing, influencing outcomes relating to finance, employment opportunities and the criminal system. She has now formed the Algorithmic Justice League to fight the rampant use of facial recognition systems for public surveillance, and to try to call to account the massive corporations like Google and Facebook which use these biased algorithms. Sobering, and disturbing watching.

Monday 3 August 2020

August 4th - imminent releases
23 Walks - in cinemas now
Echo in the Canyon - digital release August 5
Deerskin - in cinemas from August 6
One Man and His Shoes - available from Aug 6 on DocPlay
Blood Vessel - available On Demand and DVD from Aug 5

How strange to now live in a land divided - those states that have cinemas open and those that don't. Sorry Victorians, you may have to wait to see some of these, but I'm recommending you to a few films that are available online, so you won't miss out. A reminder for those in the lockdown that as well as all the wonderful programs available free from SBS On Demand and ABC iview, you can access Kanopy free with your library card. Fans of documentaries should definitely get themselves a very affordable subscription to DocPlay, chock full of the world's best docos. Stay tuned later in the week for an extra edition showcasing the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), online this year, with opening night on Thursday August 6th.

23 Walks
Dir: Paul Morrison
Length: 103 mins
Now showing in many cinemas in all states except Victoria (sniff!!)

Dave (Dave Johns) and Fern (Alison Steadman) meet by chance in a park walking their dogs Tilly and Henry. Gradually casual friendship starts to blossom into romance. But each is not totally truthful with the other, threatening their connection. Johns was amazing in I Daniel Blake, and here he is absolutely truthful in his portrayal of an older guy, not quite knowing how to make the right moves, and not realising the ramifications of being deceitful by omission. Steadman is perfect as Fern, the woman too burned by her past to be comfortable with a new friendship with a man, let alone anything more. It's great to see a film handling love in older years, though the issues they face could apply to many age groups. Set along glorious English walking tracks and in verdant parks, and featuring two captivating canines, one huge and one tiny, this is a sweet film which hits all the right notes and never gets overly sentimental.
4 - highly recommended

Echo in the Canyon
Dir: Andrew Slater
Length: 82 mins
Available for purchase on Apple, PSN, Microsoft, Google and Fetch.

This is a real nostalgia trip for boomers who reveled in the music of the mid 60s, specifically that music associated with Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. Jakob Dylan, (Bob's son) takes us on a journey through present and past, featuring legendary artists such as The Byrds, The Buffalo Springfields, Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and Papas and more. There is a blend of wonderful clips of the original artists and their songs, plus the rehearsals for, and the final concert, which pays tribute to that seminal music era and features the likes of Jakob Dylan, Norah Jones, Beck and other current artists discovering the past. Such musicians as Dave Crosby, Jackson Browne, Michelle Phillips and Ringo Starr put in their two bob's worth with vibrant anecdotes and reminiscences, and there is much about how the Beach Boys and the Beatles influenced each other. Some critics are peeved about what has been left out, but the songs that are in here all stand the test of time, and are still inspiring to current songwriters. This music defined an era of freedom and hope where people felt they could do anything. I danced my way through much of the film - riveted, and with a fervent desire to return to the era.
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Deerskin
Dir: Quentin Dupieux
Length: 77 mins
Available in selected cinemas in states other than Vic

Jean Dujardin who you may know from The Artist, plays Georges, a middle aged divorcee, who buys a second-hand deerskin jacket from an old codger who throws in a hand-held video camera. Georges heads off to a remote French alpine village. He soon becomes obsessed with the jacket, imagining it talks to him, and then he adds to his deerskin look with hat, boots and trousers. When he meets local bartender Denise (Adele Haenel, from Portrait of a Lady on Fire), he somehow misrepresents himself as a film-maker, and appoints Denise his editor. But in the search for cinema verite, things start to go in a direction that is definitely not as one would expect. This film is a piece of lovely lunacy - never making a whole heap of logical sense, but never boring me. Dujardin is always a terrific screen presence, the minimalism of the settings and story are intriguing, and the oddball twists near the end make for an unexpectedly surprising cinema experience.
3.5 - well recommended

One Man and his Shoes
Dir: Yemi Bamiro
Length: 82 mins
Available from DocPlay: www.docplay.com

Basketball fans, particularly lovers of Michael Jordan, will adore this film, but even if you're not a follower of that sport, there is plenty of interest in this latest offering from DocPlay. There is much more than initially meets the eye here. It starts a bit like a plug for Nike, showing how once Jordan was signed up, the entire marketing machine took off, with the new sneaker, the Air Jordan, becoming a status symbol, a collectors' item, and something worth killing for - literally. The advertising campaign was a huge success, thanks in part to director Spike Lee. Jordan himself represented a turning point, in which a black man could take his place, front and centre, in broader society. Hence the cultural and racial significance of those sneakers makes them movie worthy. However, the story takes a darker turn when some young people were killed for their sneakers and neither Jordan nor Nike spoke up. The doco is an informative and sobering look at the power and danger of marketing, plus another perspective on Black American history. Plus, it's a good-looking film with well-paced use of fast-moving, up-to-the-minute visuals.
4 - highly recommended

Blood Vessel
Dir: Justin Dix
Length: 90 mins
Available from DVD – JB Hi Fi and Sanity and Video on Demand: iTunes/Google /Fetch/Foxtel Store/Umbrella Entertainment

Six people are adrift on a life raft after a World War 2 hospital ship has been torpedoed by the Germans. Nathan Phillips plays Aussie Sinclair; the rest of the motley group include Russian Teplov (Alexander Cooke), Jane Prescott (Alyssa Sutherland), a smug Yank, a scared Brit and an Afro-American engineer. Grappling their way onto a passing German destroyer (as you do!) they find no-one on board, except a small child (Ruby Hall) speaking Romanian and covered in blood. It soon becomes evident an ancient horror is resident on the ship. Who will survive? This is actually a lot of grisly fun for those who enjoy a strong genre movie. Shot in a (sometimes too dark) black and red color pallette, and full of genuinely scary special effects, the film barrels along at a cracking, throat-ripping pace, with classic tropes of secret treasure, skeletons, bat-faced demons, ancient books, creepy dolls, loads of blood, and a wonderful twist in the final moments.
3.5 - well recommended for fans of the genre