Wednesday, 21 December 2022

 December 22nd

The Banshees of Inisherin
Avatar: The Way of Water
Triangle of Sadness
The Lost King
Hurstos top films for 2022

Here we go folks - it's time for reviews of the Christmas releases, (well, those I've seen so far. ) Plus below is my list of top films for the year! 10% of what I've seen made the list. And let me wish you all a very happy Christmas, holiday season, whatever you are (or are not) celebrating. All good wishes for 2023, and for plenty of great movie viewing. 

The Banshees of Inisherin
Dir: Martin McDonagh
Length: 114 mins
© Searchlight Pictures - funny, dark,
poignant - a small story with large ideas
Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) have spent their lives on the remote island of Inisherin, and have been lifelong friends. That is until Colm decides Padraic is too dull for him, and declares they are no longer friends. Colm wants to puruse his folk music, leave a legacy to be remembered by, and orders Padraic to stay away from him, with the threat that he (Colm) will otherwise cut off his violin-playing fingers. Padraic's sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon), and disturbed local man Dominic (Barry Keoghan), son of the local policeman, try to settle the rift, but things escalate from bad to worse. From the stars and director of In Bruges, comes another bitingly dark drama/comedy, that sneaks up on you, with its deep themes, stunning settings and tour de force performances. Farrell gives his best perf yet; his goodhearted, simple Padraic is beyond poignant in his childlike refusal to understand why this distressing rejection has happened, but as tensions escalate the story becomes more of an allegory/metaphor for war, and how humans need to settle things with extreme responses. The delicate balance between humour and heartbreak works perfectly and the film is a worthy recipient of its umpteen wins and nominations, including 8 for the forthcoming Golden Globes. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Avatar: the Way of Water
Dir: James Cameron
Length: 192  mins
© Searchlight Pictures - what a masterpiece
of film-making
A decade after the Na'vi, the indigenous inhabitants of Pandora, have sent humans packing back to Earth, Jake Sully (once human, now Na'vi and played by Sam Worthington) is 
living blissfully with his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and their four children among the Omatikaya clan. But as he says, happiness is fleeting, and the "sky people", (the humans) return to the planet. Jake leads a resistance but eventually, to protect his family, he flees the forest where he lives, to take refuge with a community of reef-dwelling Na'vi, the Metkayina. Their chief Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and his mate Ronal (Kate Winslett), and their clan teach Jake's family the ways of the sea. But the ruthless Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is hell-bent on destroying Jake. If you haven't seen Avatar, (2009) then you may not know what a Na'vi or an Avatar is, and I don't propose to start telling you here. But I will tell you this: here is a spectacular sequel to the first film, so dense with plot, action, characters, gorgeous visuals, special effects, and themes relevant to our world today, that it is simply an overwhelming and wonderful experience. Perhaps it is a tad long - maybe a ten-minute cut of the battle scenes, but aside from that, this is one of the most immersive, beautiful and moving films you will see in a long time. Family and its importance looms large. As do themes of exploitation of natural resources, persecution of indigenous people, and destruction of wildlife. Combine all these elements and you have something truly memorable and totally worth the time investment.
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

The Lost King
Dir: Stephen Frears
Length: 108 mins
© Transmission - a historical mystery is
solved - based upon a true story
When she attends the Shakespeare play Richard III, Phillippa Langley (Sally Hawkins) feels the king has been misrepresented unfairly and depicted in a negative light. Then, incredibly, she starts seeing apparitions of the king, appearing in the form of the actor from the play, in full costume. She joins a Richard III society, and starts obsessively researching the monarch, whose remains have never been found. After much research Phillippa comes to the conclusion he is buried in a long gone cemetery somewhere in Leicester. After an uneasy alliance with the local university, an archaological dig begins - in a carpark! This film is based upon a true story, although there has been much argy-bargy in real life between Phillippa and the university bods over who should take the credit for a major discovery. Steve Coogan shines as John, Phillippa's kind and encouraging husband, and Hawkins puts in a good turn. There is a bit too much whimsy for my taste, but it's 
pleasant watching, perhaps super-fascinating for history buffs. 
3 - recommended

Triangle of Sadness
Dir: Ruben Ostlund
Length: 127 mins
© Sharmill - shallow folks brought low
on the cruise from hell
Glam couple Yaya (Charlbi Dean Kriek), a model and social media influencer and male model Carl (Harris Dickinson) are dating. In a three part narrative, part one sees them arguing over who should pay the restaurant bill. In part two, they head off on a luxury yacht cruise around the Greek Islands. A motley crew of wealthy pain-in-the bum people are also on board, and the captain (Woody Harrelson) is a drunkard. Rough weather turns the cruise into a vomitorium (yechhh!) and then everything goes pear-shaped! Part three of the narrative kicks in, seeing the social order turned upside down, with those who were low on the social food chain rising up, and the rich and  powerful "beautiful people" brought low. This is biting social satire, exposing the ultimate shallowness and uselessness of wealth and beauty. The film won the Palme D'or at Cannes this year, but won't be to everyone's taste, as it features some of the most revolting (but sort of hilarious) scenes up on the big screen. But it's all part of Ostlund's way of bringing the rich low, and there's enough black humour, strong acting and witty dialogue to make it a worthy and unusual film experience (for those with strong stomachs!) 
3.5 - well recommended

Hursto's top films for 2022
I've seen around 270 films this year. I eschew those I think will be disappointing, hence so many high scores. It was a great year for strong films. I had to dig deep to get that 10% of films that were top viewing for me. Remember, it's all subjective! So, in no particular order (except for a couple of standouts) here goes:

Top feature films
Elvis - a standout 5-star film
Nowhere special
The quiet girl
Avatar: The way of water
The Banshees of Inisherin
Everything, everywhere, all at once
Cyrano

Honorable mentions - feature films:
The unbearable weight of massive talent
Good luck to you, Leo Grande
Thirteen lives
Belfast
Limbo 

Top Aussie Films
Molly Johnson: The drover's wife
Firefront (doco) 
Moja Vesna
How to please a woman

Top Documentaries
Moonage daydream - 5 star standout film
Street gang: How we got here
Chef Antonio's recipes for revolution

Top Foreign language films
Petite maman
Everything went fine
Quo Vadis Aida
Full time
Language lessons

Honorable mentions: foreign language films
Parallel mothers
Man of God
Lunana: a yak in the classroom
Nordic by nature (doco)
Flee (animation) 4

Top Streaming Films
David Attenborough – A life on this planet (doco)
Don’t look up






Thursday, 15 December 2022

December 16th

Tim Minchin: Back
Kompromat
Best of Enemies (streaming on Netflix)
A Jazzman's Blues (streaming on Netflix)

As the year winds down and we gear up for the Christmas releases, there are still a few worthy viewing options coming online and into cinemas. (Unfortunately I haven't caught the latest Avatar . . . yet.) Race issues loom large in two Netflix offerings, while music lovers shouldn't miss Tim Minchin's latest film. There's also a taut French thriller for fans of that genre. 

Tim Minchin: Back
Dir: Matt Askem
Length: 140 mins
TIM MINCHIN: BACK is vailable to own or rent on all major digital platforms now
© Universal - TimMinchin is a talent extraordinaire
After a six-year break doing film, musicals, theatre and more, in 2018 much-loved Australian performer Tim Minchin announced he would return to touring his musical comedy show. During the UK leg of the tour, his performance was filmed at Shepherds Bush, and those who missed it here in Oz now have an opportunity to see it. Some people may think watching a live concert on a screen lacks something, but this brilliant Tim Minchin film makes you feel even closer to the genius than you would be rows back in a theatre seat. Tim begins solo, revisiting old songs, performing new songs, then bringing in his band of consummate musicians. He blends his genres, throws in plenty of biting comedy, and reveals how he is at once sensitive, gross, poetic, hilarious, and clever, while being a wordsmith and piano player extraordinaire. Make sure to have your best concentration hat on, as the lyrics require serious attention to get the most out of this. A beautifully executed film on every level, (great lighting and close-ups). If you weren't a fan before it should turn you immediately into a card-carrying Minchin lover. 
4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended

Kompromat
Dir: Jerome Salle
Length: 115 mins
© Palace - thrilling and very frightening -
don't get yourself in this sittuation!
Matthieu (Gilles Lellouche) works for Alliance Francaise. He accepts a job as a diplomat, sent to Irkutsk in Siberia to promote French culture. After staging a provocative ballet, he falls foul of the Russian authorities who devise a kompromat; that is, a bunch of trumped up charges to get rid of him. It soon becomes apparent his embassy cannot help him, and his only option is to escape. Salle based the idea for his film upon the actual situation of a foreigner being targeted and set up by the Russians. In interviews, he speaks of the violence and repression inherent in Russian society, all the more apparent with current developments in that country. Just as Matthieu is blind to the huge gulf between the cultural sensibilities of Russians and French, so he is blind to the breakdown in his marriage. His only help comes in the form of Svetlana (Joanna Kulig), married to a maimed soldier, the son of a high-up security service man. 
The action is relentlessly thrilling, in an authentic, no-digital-tricks way, and with an excellent cast of menacing characters on Matthieu's tail, the film makes for gripping viewing.
4 - highly recommended

Best of Enemies
Dir: Robin Bissell
Length: 133 mins
Streaming on Netflix
© Netflix - can black and white ever 
come to an understanding? 
Ann Atwater (Taraji P Henson) is a vocal activist in her hometown of Durham North Carolina. Claiborne Ellis (known as CP and played by Sam Rockwell) is president of the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. Together they co-chair a two-week long meeting in which the community debates the issue of racial integration in their schools. Bill Riddick (Babou Ceesay), a liberal northerner is brought in to chair the proceedings. Before you decry the plot as unrealistic, you need to know this is a true story, which changed the lives and attitudes of both Atwater and Ellis. Although it follows a fairly predictable story arc, the film handles important subject matter strongly and sensitively, despite the liberal use of the N-word. Rockwell gives an utterly convincing performance, such that we totally believe in his transformation. Although critics are divided, viewers seem to have enjoyed it, as did I.
3.5 - well recommended

A Jazzman's Blues
Dir: Tyler Perry
Length: 127 mins
Streaming on Netflix
© Netflix - racial tension and 
forbidden love, against a backdrop of 
juke joint music
Bayou (Joshua Boone) grows up in the poor south with his brother Wille Earl (Austin Scott) and their mama, Hattie Mae (Amirah Vann), who runs a local juke joint. The brothers are musically gifted, but Bayou falls for local girl Leanne (Solea Pfeiffer), who although black, passes for white. The forbidden romance will color their entire lives and ultimately lead to tragedy. This is a very traditionally crafted movie, starting in 1987 with Hattie Mae reporting a murder, then flashing back to the late 1940s, where the main story takes place. Despite a few annoyingly questionable holes in the plot (how the hell can someone sing in a club without a microphone!?), the film kept me well engaged as a kind of Romeo and Juliet love story, combined with a poor boy makes good, racist southern tale. Production values are excellent, while the music makes for entertaining viewing. 
3.5 - well recommended

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

 December 8th

Moja Vesna
Avarice
Neptune Frost
The Good Nurse (streaming on Netflix)


Only one 4-star film from me this week, nevertheless an interesting and very mixed bag of cinematic delights. 

Moja Vesna
Dir: Sara Kern
Length: 80 mins
Only at Lido Hawthorn, Sun Yarraville, and Pivtonian Geelong
© delicate, understated and 
packs an emotional wallop
Ten-year-old Moja (Loti Kovacic) lives with her Slovenian immigrant father 
Milos (Gregor Bakovic) and older, pregnant sister Vesna (Mackenzie Mazur). Their mother has died and Milos is out of his depth, basically unable to support his girls emotionally. Vesna is in denial about her forthcoming baby while Moja takes on adult responsiblities way beyond her years. The only respite for Moja is Miranda (Claudia Karvan), the mother of a lively new friend she makes. This coproduction from Slovenia and Australia is a low-key gem of a film which was deservedly nominated for a couple of major awards at at the Berlin Film Festival. Young Kovacic is so impressive and intense in her role she will break your heart. Everything about the characters and their plight feels truthful. There is a lyrical sadness to the film, beautifully scripted and executed, that makes one sit up and take notice. If family drama and deep emotion is your bag, this one is well worth seeking out.
4 - highly recommended

Avarice
Dir: John V Soto
Length: 88 mins
© Backlot Films - they picked the wrong
family to terrorise here
Kate Matthews (Gillian Alexey) is a champion archer. Her marriage to businessman Ash (Luke Ford)  is under strain, so they head off with daughter Sara (Tea Heathcote Marks) for a much-needed weekend away in a remote bush area south of Perth. Terror strikes when a band of slick criminals mount a home invasion, tying up Kate and Sarah and abducting Ash. It's now up to Kate to see if she can save her family. The leader of the crims is a psychopathic woman, Reed, played menacingly by Alexandra Nell. It's great that the hero and the baddy are women for a change. Yes, many aspects of the film use the well-worn tropes of the genre, but tension is well maintained for most of the short run-time, and the dialogue feels natural and credible. As the characters move through their inevitable confrontations, a few plot-holes that bothered me appear, but I didn't see the major twist coming, and so remained reasonably engaged. Despite a rather lacklustre ending, the film is a fun diversion and a nice addition to the (Aussie) 
home-invasion genre.
3 - recommended

Neptune Frost
Dir: Anisia Uzeyman & Saul Williams
Length: 115 mins
Exclusive to Cinema Nova
© visually stunning with a complex
broad-ranging plot 
Billed as a punk sci-fi musical, this film's plot is near impossible for me to get a handle on. Set in Burundi Africa, it tells of a group of coltan miners who set up some sort of hacking collective, hoping to overthrow the authoritarian regime that exploits their labor and the region's natural resources. The film is a visual extravaganza of near hallucinogenic color and movement, crazed ceative outfits, and driving tribal rhythms. Several of the characters are transgender/intersex, and the themes range from examination of exploitation and capitalist oppression, through to love, resistance and so much more. I recognise the incredible ground-breaking creativity and innovation of a film like this, but, maybe due to my own failings, I find it nearly incomprehensible. Maybe I just need to see it once more?!  Its fabulous cinematography saw it nominated for the Golden Camera at Cannes, and it garnered the Bright Horizons Award at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival. 
??? - can neither recommmend or not - see for yourself!

The Good Nurse
Dir: Tobias Lindholm
Length: 121 mins
Streaming on Netflix
© Netflix - based upon the true
case of a homicidal nurse
Hospitals are daunting at the best of times. Imagine then, if a psychopathic nurse was on a killing rampage. Horror movie? No, real life. In 2006 Charles Cullen was convicted of the murder of 29 patients in hospitals from 1988 until his arrest in 2003. It's thought he possibly murdered way more, and is the worst serial killer in US history. This excellent dramatic recreation stars Eddie Redmayne as Cullen, and Jessica Chastain as Amy Loughren, a colleague who at first befriended Cullen, then helped police to nail him. Even though we know the historical outcome, the film remains gripping from beginning to end, with Chastain and Redmayne turning in strong performances. And if it really grabs you, you can follow it with the real thing, a Netflix doco called Capturing the Killer Nurse!
3.5 - well recommended

Thursday, 1 December 2022

 December 2nd

Stars at Noon
Resurrection (digital download)
The Wonder (Streaming on Netflix)
Causeway (Streaming on Apple TV)

Don't forget - you only have the next few days to catch the Japanese Film Festival in Melbourne - read reviews in last week's blog!

For those wanting to watch at home, three of this week's four films reviewed will let you do just that. The two from streaming services Apple and Netflix are total winners. Makes me wonder if home movie watching will one day overtake cinema. 

Stars at Noon
Dir: Claire Denis
Length: 135 mins
© Rialto - hot and steamy times
in central America
Claire Denis is considered one of the top French directors of her time. Growing up in Africa, it's no surprise to find many of her films having some connection to hot and steamy countries - this time Nicaragua. Adapted from a novel, it's the story of  Trish, (Margaret Qualley), a young freelance journalist who has run foul of the authorities and had her passport confiscated. Putting on a brave face but becoming increasingly desperate, she starts trading sex for money (and rum), until she runs across debonair English businessman Daniel (Joe Alwyn). She sees him as a possible way out, until she realises he is in deeper trouble than she is. 
Trish and Daniel feel progressively trapped in what is obviously a hostile and dangerous country. The words languid, steamy and aimless come to mind, as eroticism entwines itself with the thriller genre. While overly long, the film nevertheless successfully conjures all the sweatiness and danger of the lifestyle the two find themselves in. However for me there is not enough explanation of exactly what Daniel has done, and the two CIA agents who insert themselves into the plot towards the end feel a touch jarring. The top drawcard is Qualley's hypnotic performance. The film has won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes FF.
3.5 - well recommended

Resurrection
Dir: Andrew Semans
Length: 103 mins
Available on Digital download
© Universal - the past comes back to 
haunt Margaret, just when she thinks
life is under control
Margaret (Rebecca Hall) is a successful businesswoman and single mother. Life runs smoothly, despite her apprehension that only daughter Abbie (Grace Kaufmann) is leaving soon to go to college. But weird things start happening (Abbie hurt in a bike accident, a tooth turning up in Abbie's wallet), and to cap it off, 
 Margaret runs into a man from her past at a conference. David (Tim Roth) was her partner years ago; an abusive man with strange controlling fetishes. David starts to re-exert a nightmarish stranglehold on Margaret's life as gradually the truth of their past relationship emerges. This is a strange morph between a relationship drama and a psychological horror film. But there are plot points that leave me baffled. As a study of male coercive control it works really well, but the horror elements towards the end (even if you wish to interepret it as all being in Margaret's mind) don't totally hold together. However, the three leads are magnificent in their roles, and the tension grows exponentially throughout, until the whole thing seems to almost derail in a perplexing conclusion. 
3 - recommended

The Wonder
Dir: Sebastian Lelio
Length: 108 mins
Streaming on Netflix
© Netflix - powerhouse performance from
Pugh lifts this period piece 
Nurse Lib Wright (Florence Pugh) is called to an Irish village in 1862 and tasked with watching over a young girl for two weeks. Anna O'Donnell (Killa Lord Cassidy) has not eaten for four months, and claims to get sustenance from "manna from heaven". 
Local journalist Will Byrne (Tom Burke) suspects some sort of hoax and Lib also becomes suspicious, and orders that there be zero contact between Anna and her mother. Lib and Will's logical, science-based views are in stark contrast to those of Anna's family, who are religious in a near-fundamentalist way, with a strong belief in guilt, punishment and atonement. This is a richly atmospheric film, both visually, musically and thematically.  With strong lead performances from Pugh and Cassidy, it's no surprise it has won the British Independent Film Award. 
4 - highly recommended

Causeway
Dir: Lila Neugebauer
Length: 92 mins
Streaming on Apple TV
© A24 - Jennifer Lawrence shows the acting
talent that propelled her to the top
Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence) returns from a posting in Afghanistan, with a severe traumatic brain injury as a result of an IED explosion. After a period of rehab with a kindly carer Sharon (Jane Houdyshell) she returns to her childhood home and a strained relationship with her mother Gloria (Linda Emond). Desperate to escape home and to return to military duty, she takes up swimming pool cleaning work and a friendship with James (Brian Tyree Henry), also no stranger to trauma. This sort of movie is just up my alley: an understated human drama of loss, grief, kindness and the human struggle for connection. Lawrence and Henry anchor the film in two delicate and moving performances that hit the mark. Everything about the film feels spot-on authentic, thanks to fine scripting and a wonderful cast. 
4 - highly recommended


Wednesday, 23 November 2022

 November 24th

Margrete Queen of the North
The Menu
Bones and All 
Splice Here - limited  screenings
Japanese FF now in Melbourne 30 Nov - 4 Dec

I hate to say it folks but these are all, once more, highly recommended films this week. From Scandi history, to film history, to gastronomy (of alternate forms), plus the best of Japanese film, it's all here for your delectation this week. 

Margrete: Queen of the North
Dir: Charlotte Sieling
Length: 120 mins
© Palace - a right royal performance
from Dyrholm 
In 1402 Queen Margrete (Trine Dyrholm) has managed an astonishing feat: she has united Norway, Denmark and Sweden into one peaceful union, ruling in concert with her adopted son Erik 
(Morten Hee Andersen). But plots are afoot, and a monumental one emerges, when her long dead son Olaf (Jakob Oftebro) turns up to claim the throne and create disharmony. Is he really Olaf or an imposter? Even for non-history buffs (like me) this is a terrific period piece, set in an era and place I know little about. In a patriarchal era (aren't they all?) it was significant that there was a woman so powerful, logical, compassionate and unifying in charge. Dyrholm rules the union and the screen in a towering performance that portrays a magnificent balancing act - doing what is right for her country against the instincts of a mother who is not certain that this is not actually her supposedly dead son. Beautifully shot and with such a strong central performance, this is strong Scandi viewing.
4 - highly recommended

The Menu
Dir: Mark Mylod
Length: 106 mins
© Fox Searchlight - fancy dining takes an
unexpected turn for the worse
Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) heads up 
Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant reached only by boat. There, immaculately constructed haute cuisine (think pretentious!) is served, accompanied by a sometimes sinister commentary from Chef. Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) and his date Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) are among a dozen or so cashed-up guests travelling to the island for a night's culinary indulgence. What they get far exceeds expectations. What a hoot of a film this is. Cleverly scripted, it lampoons and simply shreds notions of molecular gastronomy, depicting the culinary art, and those who salivate over it, as proponents of major wankerism! In fact all the guests except one at this particular evening's feast are guilty of something, ranging from adultery, overblown egos, damaging restaurant reviews, fiddling the books and more. Fiennes is a master actor and, as to be expected, excels in this role, with Taylor Joy the perfect foil for him, the one character brave and perceptive enough to see the truth. The plot has certain elements bordering on horror, but it never allows itself to go too far, with  moments of humour constantly sneaking in to undercut any nastiness. To me this is entertainment, with a capital E, thrilling, intelligent, funny, handsome, intriguing - a bit like a hamburger with the lot. (You'll have to see the film for that reference!)
4 - highly recommended

Bones and All
Dir: Luca Guadagnino
Length: 130 mins
© Universal/MGM - a taboo subject
handled in a romantic way?
Maren (Taylor Russell) is a young woman with unusual tastes in dining. When she is forced out from home by a father who can no longer cope, she is first sniffed out by Sully (Mark Rylance), another of her ilk. After ditching him she teams up with Lee (Timothee Chalamet), and the pair embark upon a cross-country road trip 
in search of Maren's mother.  Let's be blunt: the three are in fact cannibals, or "eaters", as the film calls them, living on the fringes of society. Before you reject the film out of hand, you need to know that, despite its confronting content, grappling with one of society's biggest taboos, it is in fact a powerful, moving and absorbing film, that deals with issues of alienation, addiction and, quite simply, the need for love and acceptance. There is a deep romanticism to the young couple, trying to figure out where they belong in the world, and if the urges they were born with makes them unlovable bad people. The two leads are made for each other and Rylance steals the show with his creepy Sully. Cinematography depicting the vastness of America's mid-West, complements a brilliant soundtrack. Be warned, the gore in some parts is seriously confronting, but like all the best movies, there are so many layers to this film, leading it to win the Best Film and Best Director at Venice FF 2022.
4 - highly recommended

Splice Here: A Projected Odyssey
Dir: Rob Murphy
Length: 117 mins
Limited screenings: 25th Nov - 10th Dec
Find selected venues at: 
© Potential - a film buff's must-see
Here's a doco film buffs will absolutely not want to miss. Projectionist and director Rob Murphy takes us on a cinematic ride through the birth, rise, fall and rebirth of film. His passion oozes through every frame, as he explores what has been the biggest change in film history - the shift from photographic nitrate film to digital projection. We discover what makes "real" film so special, and revisit such cinematic glories as Cinemascope and widescreen 70mm. Murphy highlights some of Melbourne's remaining cinemas still capable of screening film. No need to be a technical nerd to marvel at the skill needed by "old-school" projectionists as they master the massive machines in the booth. We also learn about the fascinating history of preserving film in the critically important National Film and Sound Archive. With limited screenings, make sure you suss out one that suits you.
4 - highly recommended

Japanese Film Festival - soon in Melbourne
November 30th - December 4th
Venues: ACMI, Palace Kino
For all details of films, times, synopses, bookings visit https://japanesefilmfestival.net/

Now that the festival comes to Melbourne mid next week, I'm rerunning my reviews, and adding another. This year's JFF features a strong selection of films, from drama to comedy, anime to documentary. There is also a retrospective featuring four films from an unsung master film-maker Mikio Naruse (free screenings). Thematically, these films examine societal change in post-war Japan and will be screened in 35 mm. 

© JFF: Grief, rage and guilt
Intolerance
: Soeda is a rough and verbally abusive fisherman and Naoto is the manager of a local supermarket. When Soeda's daughter Kanon is caught shoplifting she runs, with Naoto pursuing her down the street. Tragically she is hit and killed by a car then a truck. Refusing to believe his daughter did anything wrong, Soeda takes his rage out on eveyone around him. The media create a frenzy which exacerbates the situation which spirals out of control for all parties concerned. Defined by emotional performances, this is a  strong psychological study of grief and guilt, with, fortunately, some redemptive light at the end. 

© JFF: Just the placement is
done with absolute precision
In Pursuit of Perfection: Anyone who has spent time in Japan will know the way so much of Japanese culture and life is spent making everything "just so" - beautiful, elegant, the best it can be. In this mouth-watering documentary we meet four chefs who are at the peak of their profession and with a dedication to cooking that is unsurpassed, From traditional kaiseki banquets through sushi, and French inspired cuisine we meet these masters of their crafts. Don't go hungry to this one!

© JFF: A strong thriller and psychological
study of tragedy
In the Wake
: Following the disastrous 2011 earthquake, a group of three survivors befriend each other - a small girl, a taciturn young man and an old lady. Nine years later, in the large city of Sendai two murders take place. Detective Tomashino (Hiroshi Abe), who lost his wife and child in the disaster, is on the case. Soon fate will bring all these characters together. This is an especially strong thriller and a gripping  psychological study of the aftermath of tragedy - how different people cope and the ripple effect through time. The film also examines the Japanese welfare system, and its failings. Acting is universally powerful, and the twists and turns in the plot, alternating time frames and unexpected outcomes, make for a most satisfying film.