September 16th
Moonage Daydream
The Territory
St. Ali Italian Film Festival
There is an eclectic range of films this week from an unmissable film about David Bowie, through to an important doco on the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous inhabitants. The Italian Film Festival brings you a magnificent selection of Italy's latest films, along with several classics.
Moonage Daydream
Dir: Brett Morgen
Length: 160 mins
 |
© Universal - a tour de force of
film-making |
Mindblowing, visionary, purely cinematic, experiential, magnificent . . . the adjectives are insufficient to convey what an incredible piece of film-making this is. It's the first film to be officially approved by David Bowie's estate, and is a celebration of his life's journey - musical, creative and spiritual. There are no corny voice-overs here, just kilometres of captivating footage, and Bowie's own words, expressing his philosophy of life and death, music and art, and a host of esoteric matters in between. The film's style at times is that of a video-clip maker on mega-steroids, so frenetic and in-your-face are the images and accompanying music. The genius creativity of Morgen in creating this film perfectly complements the genius of Bowie. Some segments feature footage of Bowie in concert at various stages in his life - his Ziggy Stardust incarnation, and his later "real self", no longer hiding behind the make-up and costumes. We also discover Bowie's artistic pursuits, especially painting and sculpture. When Bowie expounds his life philosophy there is wisdom to be gleaned, and life perspectives worthy of mulling over. For a person who never really considered herself a big Bowie fan, I find myself absolutely blown away by the man and the film, and intend a second viewing to further plumb the Bowie phenomenon.5 - unmissable
The Territory
Dir: Alex Pritz
Length: 85 mins
 |
© National Geographic - disturbing and
inspiring - fight for the Amazon |
Most of us know the dramas going on in Brazil as the mighty Amazon rainforest is invaded and progressively destroyed. But we don't often get an inside look at the lives of those indigenous people who call the forest home, and who are locked in battle with white settlers invading their territories. In this insightful and vitally important doco, we meet the 200 or so remaining people of the Uru-weu-wau-wau tribe. These brave and committed people battle the white Brazilian settlers, who feel it is their God-given right to take whatever land they want, fell trees, and expand their towns. (Of course, with Bolsonaro in power, the government makes no moves to stop this.) Being a National Geo doco, the camera-work is, as ever, quite remarkable, going from intimate shots of the wildlife in the forest, through to close-ups of the people, and of course sweeping shots of the mighty forest, and its heart-breaking destruction. The film is tense, totally engaging, and something all should see to understand how this destruction not only affects locals, but possibly the fate of the planet. 4 - highly recommended
St. Ali Italian Film Festival
Palace Cinemas
Melbourne 15 September - 12 October
One of our most popular festivals is back, with, as always, a stunning line-up of films. 100 years after the birth of iconic director Pier Paulo Pasolini, the festival presents a retrospective of three of his films. Much loved actor Tony Servillo also features in three films this year. The festival's sidebar, Spotlight on Naples, features several films set in that city. The festival features Documentaries, dramas, comedies, and a closing night screening of the classic Sophia Loren/Marcello Mastroianni film, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. I've been previewing to bring you some recommendations.
Breaking Up in Rome: After 10 years of living together, Tomasso and Zoe are going through a painful breakup. Writer, director and star Edoardo Leo is a delightful leading man, and the film has a rather cute central conceit: Tomasso writes a Dear Abby style advice column, and it happens that Zoe writes in, asking advice on how to break up with a long-term boyfriend. What he learns about her in texts is probably more than he knew in the whole ten years. With gorgeous Rome as a backdrop, this is lightweight and amusing watching with some good insight into relationship pitfalls.
Nostalgia: Felice was born in Naples but has lived away from his hometown for 40 years, and is happily married in Canada. He makes a trip back to visit his aging mother, and finds himself obsessed by memories of his past. Against the advice of others, he is especially keen to see his old school pal Oreste, who is now is a low-life Mafia boss. Much-loved Italian actor Pierfranceso Favino is quite brilliant in this role of a man torn between the present and the past, and we feel deeply for him. The drama and human connections are intense and very moving. A centrepiece of the festival, this fine film was nominated for the Palme D'Or at this year's Cannes FF.
The Perfect Dinner: Carmine works for the Camorra (the Naples Mafia), under the protection of boss Pasquale, as Carmine's father saved Pasquale's life years ago. But Carmine isn't cut out for life as a crim, so is sent to head up a money-laundering businesss in Rome, operating out of a cheap restaurant. But then he meets Consuela, a top-tier chef looking for a new restaurant to head up and hopefully get a Michelin star. Carmine finds himself seriously attracted to being a restaurateur, but his bosses have different ideas. This is a sweet, funny and thoroughly entertaining movie, which is a great morph between a foody film, and a crime caper.
Power of Rome: A film that history buffs and lovers of Rome will relish, this doco sees actor Edoardo Leo taking us through the streets of his beloved city. He reflects upon its history, from the birth of the Roman Empire to its present day incarnation. His enthusiasm and love for Rome reflects in many unusual and fascinating aspects he delves into, with historical reenactments, (plenty of bloodshed and togas) and some spectacular drone footage that soars over the beautiful city.
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