March 4th
Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
About Endlessness
Nomadland
Rejoice! We've finally got the fabulous French Film Festival back in real life. I review several French offerings this week, with more to come next week. I also look at an award-winning film about as visually amazing as anything I've seen in a long time, and re-run my review of Nomadland, which gets it official release this week.
Alliance France French Film Festival 2021
Melbourne Mar 3-31
Palace Cinemas Melbourne
One of Australia's most popular festivals is back, in real life and in real cinemas! As always it offers a splendid selection of films running the gamut of genres. All those I've previewed so far come highly recommended. More to come next week.
Black Box
Length: 130 mins
 |
© FFF - a tense thriller
set in the world of aviation |
When a brand new aircraft crashes on a Paris-Dubai flight, black box analyst Mathieu (Pierre Niney) is called in to investigate. As theories on the cause of the crash develop and change, Mathieu finds himself increasingly at odds with his superiors. He finds himself more and more in a risky situation as the possibility of cover-ups emerge. This is a superbly made, gripping thriller, with endless tension, complex plot developments, and fascinating insight into the business of running an airline and the intricacies of the giant birds (I may never want to fly again!) For an intelligent, knuckle-clenching ride, this fits the bill!
Miss
Length: 107mins
 |
| © FFF - a most worthy beauty |
Androgynous French model Alexandre Wetter plays Alex, a little boy who want to be Miss France when he grows up. This moving, humorous and delightful film traces Alex's adult journey, as he attempts to transcend society's view of gender definitions. All the characters in Alex's adult life are warmly and empathetically portrayed, especially Lola the trans/drag queen. Underneath the richly human tale and the moments of humor, are very serious issues about acceptance, identity, following dreams, and the importance of questioning long-held limiting norms. Wetter is brilliant in his debut acting role. I loved it!
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Length: 104 mins
 |
© FFF - be careful about lending
your body to an artist |
Lovers Sam (Yahya Mahayni) and Abeer are separated by the Syrian Civil War. He flees to Lebanon and she is forced into marriage with a rich man who works in Belgium. Sam heads to Brussels to find Abeer, and meets an artist who talks him into tattooing a giant copy of a Schengen visa onto his back. Part of the contract is for Sam to sit in galleries and have his back viewed by the public. In some ways this is a satire upon the art world (as was The Square), but it is also a love story, as well as denunciation of the refugee situation in Europe, where people may be treated as worthless, and then can so easily be turned into commodities when required. This awarded film is thought-provoking and absolutely worth a watch.
Night Shift
Length: 99 mins
 |
© FFF - weary police question
their code of ethics |
Three police officers working the night shift are asked to escort a refugee who is about to be deported to the airport. Each officer has varying reasons they don't really want to go home, which make up the sub-plot threads of the film. But the major thrust is the ethical issue, as the trio begin to question the morality of what they have been asked to do. The film's theme is highly relevant, tapping into the current debates in France about police powers and the treatment of refugees. It's great to see Omar Sy (Dr Knock) in a non-comedic role, and his co-stars Virginie Efira and Gregory Gadebois are equally strong. The film works really well as a human drama and a thriller.
About Endlessness
Die: Roy Andersson
Length: 77 mins
Exclusive in Melbourne to Cinema Nova
 |
© Sharmill - a visually gorgeous reflection
upon what it is to be human |
It's easiest to describe this remarkable film in the words of its official publicity: A reflection on human life in all its beauty and cruelty, its splendour and banality . . . inconsequential moments take on the same significance as historical events . . . (the film) presents a kaleidoscope of all that is eternally human. With a slow film of this nature you need to surrender yourself to its meditative power. A visual tour-de force, with every frame masterfully set up like an exquisite photograph and inspired by paintings, the director invites you to simply reflect upon life, with its moments of humor, tragedy, and human folly. Each vignette takes little more than a couple of minutes, and some of the characters return in later vignettes; others are transient. As you stare at a screen where little happens, you start to notice the minutiae of life; the smallest details become huge. At once absurdist and transcendent, this is a viewing experience to be relished (although not everyone will have the patience for this style of film.) It is the winner of many awards including the prestigious Best director Silver Lion at Venice FF 2019.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
Nomadland
Dir: Chloe Zhao
Length: 108 mins
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=6sxCFZ8_d84
 |
© Searchlight - living out of a van
comes with ups and downs |
Fern (Frances McDormand) is widowed and homeless since the factory (and the entire town) where she was employed closed down abruptly due to the Great Depression of 2007. She now lives life out of her van, travelling around Nebraska, Arizona and Dakota. In trailer parks she connects with other nomads, some only once, and then never again; others, like Dave (David Strathairn) recur in her life. Some of the people live this life by choice, others by necessity. Based upon a non-fiction book, the film has already received more than 60 various awards, and deservedly so. It is suffused with melancholy and loneliness, the majesty of the wide open spaces, but also the intimacy of true human connectedness. Many of the characters are non-professional actors playing versions of themselves which brings an authenticity and deep understanding to the way of life the film is portraying. This blending of real life into a loosely fictional scenario creates an unforgettable and deeply affecting cinema experience. (It's just taken out the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Drama) and Best Director.)4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
No comments:
Post a Comment