June 3rd
Breaking Bread
Minamata
Lapsis
BOFA extended
As other states outside of Victoria are still happily going to the movies, I'll keep the reviews current. So, three good new movies are coming to cinemas this week. Those Victorians who like the look of what I'm reviewing will just have to make their lists for post-lockdown cinema visits. Meantime BOFA FREE online (which I spoke of last week) continues until June 13th. Yay, and thanks to the Taswegians for this generous offer.
Breaking Bread
Dir: Beth Elise Hawk
Length: 85 mins
 |
© Hi Gloss - mouth-watering film
that shows enmity can be overcome |
Dr Nof Atamna-Ismaeel was the first Muslim Arab to win Israel's Master Chef competition. She decided to try to make a difference and create peace through food. She founded A-Sham - an Arab food festival held in Haifa - in which 35 Jewish chefs are paired up with Arab chefs, and the two collaborate to create spectacular dishes from the Levant (the area of the middle east comprised of Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iraq and Jordan.) This doco is a foodies' delight - the mouthwatering creations up on the big screen will have you salivating and begging for the recipes. However, what is more important is the power of good a film of this nature can do for reconciliation. Many of the chefs speak up about the new friendships they have forged with their supposed "enemies", and in fact many of them assert that 90% of Israelis and Arabs want peace and it's the small percentage of fanatics (as always) who create the chaos. Regardless of the fraught political backdrop to the story, this is an uplifting and highly entertaining film. (Don't go there hungry!)4 - highly recommended
Minamata
Dir: Andrew Levitas
Length: 115 mins
 |
© Rialto - Johnny Depp is back as
a photographer who made a difference
|
Photographer Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) was one of the most respected photojournalists of World War 2. This film takes up his story in 1971, by which time he has become almost reclusive. Then he is commissioned by Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy) to document a strange disease that is ravaging the residents of the Japanese fishing village of Minamata. This is the true story of how the Chisso Corporation poured mercury-laden water into the seas, and how the locals fought a prolonged battle for recompense, aided by Smith's heart-breaking photography. Renowned actress Minami plays Aileen, a Japanese woman who campaigned alongside Smith and ultimately became his wife. It's great to see Depp giving one of his best performances in a long while. Stylistically poised somewhere between the personal redemptive journey of a troubled man, and a quasi-documentary approach to an important environmental issue, this is worthwhile, and still highly relevant, viewing.3.5 - well recommended
Lapsis
Dir: Noah Hutton
Length: 108 mins
 |
© Maslow Entertainment - sci-fi weirdness
scarily aligned with the current world |
Ray (Dean Imperial) is a delivery man who wants to make some quick money because his brother is suffering a chronic-fatigue-type disease that needs expensive (rip-off?) treatment.So he takes a job as a cabler - a person who hikes miles laying cables through the forest for a "quantum" computer system which facilitates super fast stockmarket trading. This film defies categorisation - it is at once a sci fi, set in some weird parallel present; it is also a commentary upon the state of the world with corporate greed exploiting those who work in the gig economy, and it is also a very weird semi-thriller, which baffles and intrigues. I don't profess to understand it, but it sure kept me on the edge of my seat, as Ray competes against creepy little robots who also lay cable, and are there as competition for the human workers. It seems big brother is always watching, automation is all consuming, and the workers are conspiring to bring down the system, but who exactly is who remains totally obscured. If you're a tech geek you will really enjoy this imaginative and somewhat salutary film.3.5 - well recommended
BOFA: Breath of Fresh Air
Tasmania's free online film festival continues
https://breath-of-fresh-air.com.au/films/online-program/
Running until June 13th BOFA gives lockdownees the opportunity to enjoy 18 excellent films from the comfort of their 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.
From BOFA themselves: ……AND NOW IN SUPPORT
OF THOSE LOCKED DOWN IN MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA WE’VE EXTENDED OUR FREE ONLINE
FILM FESTIVAL UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 13TH JUNE!
I watched the wonderful Spanish film The Olive Tree (https://breath-of-fresh-air.com.au/films/the-olive-tree/) which is the story of a grand-daughter who so loves her granddad she'll go to any lengths to try to rescue his favourite olive tree which has been sold off to a German company by his sons. This is the sort of humble and delicate film-making I love, and the lead actress garnered a Goya award for her performance. I highly recommend it.
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