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!

© Rialto -  three very different cops trying to maintain
order among the youth gangs in Paris

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

© DocPlay -  obviously smoking didn't shorten
this centenarian's life!

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

© Filmink - gut-wrenching story, beautiful
animation of real life in a torture country

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

© Netflix -  if this is a pig, I'll eat my hat! Sort
of cute, in a lumbering way. 

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