May 20th
The Man in the Hat
Son of the South
Death of a Ladies Man
Two of Us
BOFA - Tasmania's Breath Of Fresh Air Film Festival
St Kilda Film Festival
This week sees four exceptionally strong films hit the big screens, plus two festivals you may not know much about. And to boot, some of the festival material can be viewed FREE online.
The Man in the Hat
Dir: John Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck
Length: 95 mins
 |
© Limelight Distribution - an absolute
delight of a film! |
The Man (Ciaran Hinds) is driving through France in his little Fiat 500. After witnessing five men in another Fiat dropping something suspicious into a river, the man takes off, but wherever he goes, the five men seem to be behind him. No attempted summary will do justice to this charming, quirky and delightfully refreshing film, that is so typically French (overtones of Monsieur Hulot), even though Brits have made it. Award-winning composer Warbeck has created a stunning soundtrack that covers umpteen genres from cafe jazz to opera to sweetly harmonised songs. All this underpins what is virtually a silent film in which The Man meets an array of bizarre characters, who keep repeatedly turning up in one town after another. Notable is The Damp Man (Stephen Dillane), who goes from near suicidal to happily running a pizza truck. Other characters are a priest, a woman on a bicycle, a group of female car mechanics, a pair of love-struck surveyors, and many more. The scenery is magnificent, the pace varies from languid to frenetic, and unexpected surprises abound. Action-movie fans may hate this film; those who want to immerse in glorious French countryside, revel in glorious music, enjoy absurdist humour, and generally reflect upon life will simply adore it, as did I.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
Son of the South
Dir: Barry Alexander Brown
Length: 105 mins
 |
© Heritage Films - race relations in the
'60s are still scarily relevant today |
Based upon his autobiography, this is the story of a white man who became a civil rights activist in Alabama in the 1960s. Bob Zellner (Lucas Till) was the grandson of a Klu Klux Klansman (Brian Dennehy) but while researching a uni paper on race relations he gradually became drawn into the civil rights cause. Opening with a horrific scene of white rednecks about to lynch Bob, the movie flashes back to Bob's gradual enlightenment, and his involvement with the Freedom Riders, who rode buses into the segregated south to challenge racial discrimination. He also became the first white secretary for the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), whose charter was to protest peacefully. The film features such historic icons as Rev. Abernethy and Rosa Parks, along with many fictional characters representative of brutal white supremacists and the many sceptical blacks who questioned Bob's motives. Though at times the story feels a bit overloaded with people and events, the overall sensibility is a chilling evocation of the times, which are still scarily relevant today. The film is a worthy addition to the spate of recent movies on race relations.
3.5 - well recommended
Death of a Ladies Man
Dir: Matt Bissonnette
Length: 100 mins
 |
© Transmission - a brilliant Byrne perf, great
soundtrack, and original plot |
Montreal college professor Samuel O'Shea (Gabriel Byrne) has led a hard-drinking life, and now his second marriage is on the skids. That's nothing to what happens when he starts having the strangest, most bizarre hallucinations, including the appearance of his dead dad, (Brian Gleeson), with whom he has long conversations. When he finds out that a tumour is causing his mental disturbances, he knows he is not long for this world. He needs to connect more with his drug-addicted daughter and his son who has just come out as gay, and also revisit his native home of Ireland. This creative narrative features a stand-out performance from Byrne, who is at the top of his game here. And, as you may guess from the film's title, all is set against the melancholy music of genius singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. The entire construction works a treat, with empathetic characters, a modicum of humour, and of course that very apt music, perfect as a backdrop for (and at times a central part of) many of the scenes. This is entertaining, moving and original film-making.4 - highly recommended
Two of Us
Dir: Filippo Meneghetti
Length: 99 mins
 |
© Vendetta - a touching and sad homage
to the days when coming out was fraught |
Nina (Barbara Sukowa) and Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) have lived in opposite apartments for years. In reality they are lovers, but have hidden it from the world. When Nina decides the two should sell up and head to Rome, Madeleine finds herself unable to tell her conservative adult children. When a serious health incident intervenes, their relationship is turned upside down. This much-awarded French film is a gentle and sad love story. It's tragic to think that, in this day and age, some people are still terrified to come out, and also that adult children would be so unaware as to not see the love that is under their noses. Both leads are sublime in their portrayal of the older lesbians, and Lea Drucker is compelling as Mado's daughter Anne. The subplot of Nina's clash with the incompetent and avaricious carer creates excellent moments of extreme psychological tension, and even though much of the film takes place within the confines of the womens' apartments, it looks consistently stylish and maintains strong interest. Such a tale reminds us of how the elderly are too often dismissed, and the importance of respecting relationships regardless of age and sexual orientation.4 - highly recommended
BOFA: Breath of Fresh Air
Tasmania's free online film festival
https://breath-of-fresh-air.com.au/films/online-program/
Running until 30th May (unfortunately I missed the start of this one!) is a festival giving you the opportunity to enjoy 18 excellent films from the comfort of your loungeroom. All you have to do is subscribe to the BOFA online newsletter and then you'll receive your code enabling you to log on and start watching. With a mix of excellent docos and features from around the world, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
St Kilda Film Festival
May 20th - 29th
https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/
Lovers of short film rejoice. So many top film makers got their start making shorts, and here's a chance to check out the work of tomorrow's top film-makers. This festival is the most comprehensive overview of the short film industry and includes films from Australia and overseas. Some events will be in person this year, and others will be available free online. There's so much to absorb, I shan't attempt to outline any of it - simply head to the website and everything that is screening at the Astor, the Alex Theatre and online will be revealed:
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