June 2nd
Lunana - A Yak in the Classroom
Man of God
My Father's Violin (streaming on Netflix)
CHIFF - Childrens International Film Festival - until 13th June
I've been highly entertained by everything I've watched for this week's reviews. Several of the films really hit to the heart of "the human condition" and those values that truly matter. And there's a welcome return of the Children's International Film Festival, which is a delight for young kids and the child in all of us.
Lunana - A Yak in the Classroom
Dir: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Length: 110 mins
 |
© Rialto - from the country that measures
gross national happiness - a totally
heart-warming story |
Ugyen (Sherab Dorji) is a malcontent teacher living in Bhutan's capital, and dreaming of nothing more than to emigrate to Australia and be a singer. Then the education ministry sends him on a three-month stint to the remote mountain village of Lunana, six days hike from any other town, with a population of 56. How will he cope in this alien world, cut off from all his westernised comforts? This delightful movie was nominated for Best International Film at this year's Oscars, and deservedly so. There is something simple, yet very deep about this story of a man discovering new meaning in life through teaching a handful of children, all desperate for an education, in a traditional village where a teacher is the most revered profession of all. It's an eye-opener into the old ways of Bhutan, with the village in stark contrast to the glitzy modernity invading the main city. The stoicism and spirituality of the villagers' approach to life and its hardships reflects in all the characters. They, and the children, are mostly played by the real inhabitants of Lunana - people who have never seen the world outside of their remote location. The film takes its time, moving with the daily pace of life, and there is so much heart, beauty, humour, along with yaks and traditional singing, that you are guaranteed to fall under its spell.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
Man of God
Dir: Yelena Popovic
Length: 109 mins
 |
© Heritage Films - a life's lesson from
Greece's favorite saint |
A little background: Anastasios Kephalas (subsequently Saint Nektarios) was born in 1846 to a poor Greek family. By the age of 30 he had become a monk on the Island of Chios, Greece. By the late 1880s was head bishop in Cairo. His popularity with the people led to concern among his colleagues that he was aiming to displace the Patriarch (the head of the Greek Orthodox Church), and so he was summarily suspended and returned to Greece. This remarkable film takes up Nektarios' life story from his time in Egypt, and follows his persecution by the Church for most of the rest of his life. Even, in his later years, as he set up a monastery for nuns on the remote island of Aegina, the Church sought to create trouble for him. This is a portrait of a man suffused with humility, compassion, kindness and a deep devotion to his God. Nektarios' dealings with the downtrodden and the students at a school where he preaches are in stark contrast to the puffed-up arrogance, jealousy and nastiness displayed by his church compadres. Aris Servetalis in the lead role is a revelation, depicting a person who one cannot help but admire, regardless of one's religious beliefs. Fine cinematography adds to the gravitas of the movie. I maintain that even non-believers will feel awe and inspiration from this beautiful film.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
My Father's Violin
Dir: Andac Haznedaroglu
Length: 112 mins
 |
© Netflix - schmaltzy but the little star
is irresistible. |
A feisty little red-headed girl Ozlem roves through the streets of Istanbul with her father Ali Riza and his accompanying trio of street performers. Knowing he's dying, Ali Riza approaches his brother Mehmet, a concert violinist, asking him to take care of the little girl. Friends told me I must watch this film, and having had a violinist father, I felt compelled to give it a go. It's the sort of film critics love to pan - predictable, schmaltzy, melodramatic, with the most non-believable imitation of violin playing by a child. However . . . there is something quite irresistible about little Gulizar Nisa Uray as Ozlem that will steal your heart away - she's a powerhouse of a young actress. And of course a story like this promotes the "right" values - like learning the life lesson, that maybe one's ego must be put aside to care for someone who really needs you, and sometimes the perceived past is not exactly as you remembered it. Films like this can be just what one needs to have a good cry, then feel uplifted, without the internal critic sticking the boots in. 3.5 - well recommended
CHIFF - Children's International Film Festival
4-5 June, 11-13 June
Classic Elsternwick , Lido Hawthorn, Cameo Belgrave, Ritz, Randwick (NSW)
What a delight that CHIFF is back, after a Covid-enforced break. Running on forthcoming weekends, so the small-fry don't need to miss school, this festival brings something totally different in the way of children's film. While animations from such studios as Pixar, Disney and the like are indisputably classy, this festival introduces kids to something totally different, by virtue of the fact that the films are international. Their way of seeing the world can be different, and the style of animation often light years away from the slick style of the American studios. And, like the best animations, there is something in them to appeal to all age groups. Artistic Director Thomas Caldwell sure knows how to pick 'em, and as he says, "We have a film for you!" I've previewed several, starting with my favorite pick.
Coppelia: What a fresh and creative re-imagining of a traditional ballet. This version combines real dancers from the Dutch National Ballet, with animation, as it tells the story of a peaceful town where young Swanilda loves local bike repairer Franz. But then the crazy Dr Coppelius comes to town and builds a dark, mysterious facility, staffed by robotic life-like dolls, where he performs cosmetic surgeries, turning the "patients" into self-absorbed delusional versions of themselves. But his real aim is to steal Franz's heart to transfer into his favorite doll Coppelia, bringing her to life. The film is colorful and gorgeous, the seamless blending of animation with the dancers is wonderful, while the newly created musical score is a winner. The film feels modern, with mashed up elements of sci-fi, youth culture, and a plot that makes an underlying point about natural beauty as opposed to that which is artificially created. Though easy to follow, having no language, it might be scary for very little kids. Ballet fans young and old had better not miss this one.
Stinky Dog: Happy Life in Paris: With whacky minimalist drawings, the character of Stinky Dog and his pal Flatty Cat leap off the screen in the fun adventures of a perennially optimistic and good-natured (smelly) dog who lives in grimy back alleys in Paris. The canine is never mean to those who mistreat him, so there are plenty of life lessons here along with a fun perspective of life on the Paris streets.
Oink: Grandpa Tuitjes returns from the USA to visit his family in Holland, and buys a piglet for his 9-year-old grand-daughter Babs. But the porker can only be allowed to stay if he undergoes puppy training. Meantime, unknown to his family, Gramps is planning to re-enter the King Sausage competition that he lost years ago to Butcher Smakarelli. Is Oink going to be safe from the scheming Tuitjes? This animation is colorful, funny, cute, and at times a bit gross, involving a big pile of "poo jokes" which should definitely appeal to kids of a certain age. I certainly found it a major entertainment, so it's one the whole family can enjoy.
Trash: An overdubbed Italian animation, Trash follows the adventures of several discarded items, a drink bottle called Bubbles, a cardboard box, a solar battery pack and several other inventive characters, all searching for the elusive Magic Pyramid (a recycling facility). The plot follows a fairly tried and true arc, with the baddies chasing them, lots of nail-biting narrow escapes, and an underlying deeper theme of how important it is to have purpose and meaning in your life. The script is quite witty, with plenty of recycling references.
