June 28th 2023
Red White and Brass
Driving Madeline
Belle & Sebastian: Next Generation
More from the Spanish Film Festival
This week sees again several films worthy of your consideration. French (x 2) , Tongan and Spanish. What a multi-cultural feast.
Dir: Damon Fepulea'i
Length: 85 mins
 |
© Madman - plenty of zany fun here,
wth the Tongan community in the spotlight |
This film is loosely based upon true events in New Zealand in 2011. Maka (John Paul Foliaki) is a member of the Tongan community living in New Zealand. The rugby World Cup is about to be played between France and Tonga in their home town of Wellington. When Maka and his friends are unable to get tickets, they decide to form a Tongan brass marching band, a guarantee of seeing the match. Trouble is, no-one even knows how to play an instrument. Not letting this stop him, Maka organises a group, a teacher, and an initial bunch of instruments, most based on empty bottles. This is definitely a feel-good, light and delightful film, anchored by a charming lead performance. The Tongans have a word, "mafana", which describes their spirit and energy, and that is indeed what this film has so much of. There is something daggy about it, but oh so much fun, and lovely to see a community speaking their language and taking so much pride in themselves.3.5 - well recommended
Dir: Christian Carion
Length: 91 mins
 |
© Rialto - a tender, uplifting tale
of a sudden bond that is life-changing |
Madeleine (Line Renaud) is 92 years old and has suffered a fall, rendering her unable to live alone. She hires a taxi to take her on the long journey to the other side of Paris, where she will enter a nursing home. Inevitably she and the taciturn driver Charles (Dany Boon) get talking. It's easy to see where this one will be going - the pair gradually open up to each other, learn about each others' lives, and form a bond in a very short time. But there are also many surprises and some unexpected dark turns to the story, as Madeleine reveals the unhappy (think violent) marriage she experienced in the post-War years and Charles reveals that he is in a parlous financial state and about to lose his taxi licence. Aside from the excellent scenes of Paris (a Francophile's delight), there is so much heart and sweetness in this film. The wonderful connection between the characters is beautifully rendered wthout ever getting mawkish, and the scenes told in flashback, with Alice Isaaz terrific as young Madeleine, make for engaging and at times disturbing viewing. This is a tiny gem of a film.4 - highly recommended
Belle & Sebastian: Next Generation
Dir: Pierre Core
Length: 96 mins
 |
© Icon - cute boys and appealing dogs-
a great combo |
The fourth in a series of films that started in 2013, and is based upon a popular French book, this is a wonderful boy and dog story, but with so much more in it than your standard Hollywood Lassie fare. Young Seb (Robinson Mensah Rouanet) is sent to stay for a while with his aunt and his grandma Corinne (Michele Laroque), who runs a sheep farm and really doesn't want a little kid around. Grandma is reluctantly selling the farm to neighbours who are planning some ski fields with snow-making machines. Lonely Seb befriends a big white dog Belle, which is mistreated by her owner. Soon boy and dog will be vital to changing the lives of all those around them. Aside from the film looking glorious (shot in the French high Alps), there is quite a good bit of thematic content: the loss of the old farming ways, exploitation (of resources and other humans), animal cruelty (fortunately not too explicit) and healing of family wounds. So as well as the delightful, heart-warming boy/dog thing, there's enough for grown-ups to appreciate too. 3.5 - well recommended
More from HSBC Spanish Film Festival
Melbourne Now until July 12
Cinemas: Palace throughout Melbourne
Still plenty of time to catch some of the wonderful films on offer at this festival. Continuing on from my last reviews, here are . . .
The Kings of the World: This multi-award-winning film was Colombia's entry into the Oscars. Teenager Ra inherits land from his grandmother, and with a group of friends journeys from the city to the Andean countryside to try to claim what is rightfully his. The small group of rough and ready boys walks a line between being almost delinquent, and yet having goals and dreams that, due to their marginalised positions in society, will probably never be realised. With beautiful naturalistic performances from all, and moments that lurch from dreamy near fantasy, to tenderness to brutal violence, this is a surprisingly moving story of life on the margins.
Fados: Although this film only had two screenings as part of the Carlos Saura restrospective, (both now past) if you have the streaming service Plex you can watch this beautiful tribute to the traditional Fado music of Portugal. For those who don't know Fado, it features songs and music of love, loss, longing and sometimes joyousness. All the performances that Saura has captured here, in a most cinematic way, are stunning. For music lovers, it should make your day.
No comments:
Post a Comment