November 30th 2023
The Old Oak
The Eight Mountains
Christmess
Uproar
This week sees one of my rare "Unmisssable" recommendations. Films from Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand round out another week of fine movie offerings.
Dir: Ken Loach
Length: 113 mins
 |
© The Reset Collective - film-making on another level:
gets to the heart of the mattter, and the people
in the community |
TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) runs a pub in an impoverished mining town in the north-east of England. The pits have closed, people are leaving, and cheap housing makes it an ideal location for refugees to be housed. When a group of Syrian refugees arrives, TJ does a kindness for a young woman Yara (Ebla Mari). But the locals, who cling desperately to their old ways, harbor deep resentments of the newcomers. TJ initially wants to stay neutral and keep in good with his few remaining patrons, but gradually he sees a way to bring together two struggling communities, each grieving for different, but harrowing, losses in their lives. Ken Loach has had more than 60 years in film, many of them dealing with social issues and the trials and tribulations of the British working class. Now that he's 87 years old, this may be his final film. And what a film to go out on! There is so much depth of emotion, so much relevance, and ultimately plenty of hope in this powerful and moving story. Turner, who barely sees himself as a "real" actor, is simply sublime in this role, while Mari brings an openness, charm and grace to her Yara, a brave woman who knows how to bridge the cultural divide. All the characters, from the locals to the Syrian refugees feel totally real, and the tentative friendships that gradually form and deepen could serve as an inspiration to us all in this troubled world. The settings of the sad, beaten down town and the warm welcoming pub are just perfect. Nominee for the Palme D'or at Cannes and winner of many other awards, The Old Oak is one of those richly rewarding, deeply humane films, that stays with you long after it's over.5 - unmissable
Dir: Felix van Groeningen & Charlotte Vandermeersch
Length: 147 mins
 |
© Palace - gentle and understated story
of a lifelong friendship |
Winner of the Cannes Jury Prize (2022) and many more prestigious Italian and international awards, this beautiful film is a story of friendship over many years. Bruno (Cristiano Sassella) lives in the remote mountan village of Grana in northwest Italy, while Pietro (Lupo Barbiero) who hails from the city of Turin, is visiting his parents' holiday home. The two boys connect instantly and spend a glorious summer together. After some convoluted family conflicts, the boys' paths diverge but 15 years later, now men, they reconnect. Another intimate period of time is spent while renovating an old rundown mountain cabin that Pietro's father left to Bruno. But despite their deep bond, the men have different ideas of where they belong in life. This film is so simple on one level, yet so complex emotionally. It has a long runtime and one needs to surrender oneself to it - the glorious sweeping mountain landscapes, the gentle enduring quality of the friendship, and the heartaches, happiness and loss that the vicissitudes of life deliver. There is an underlying deep philosophy about one's place in life, and what is most important to each individual. With glorious music and cinematography, it is a most worthy journey to share with the two friends.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
Dir: Heath Davis
Length: 100 mins
 |
© Bonsai - surprisingly fun - and tuching-
Aussie story of struggle, friendship
and recovery |
Chris Flint (Steve le Marquand) is an actor whose career has taken a downturn, thanks to his having been in rehab for alcohol and drug problems. But now he's out, and staying at a support house with his sponsor Nick (Darren Gilshenan), and another recovering addict Joy (Hannah Joy), who is an aspiring singer-songwriter. Chris takes a job at a shopping centre, playing Santa, where he runs into his long-estranged daughter, and finds he has a grandson, which really throws him, but also encourages him to remain sober so he can reconnect with his only family. La Marquand has the perfect hang-dog sad face for the character he plays. We cannot help but feel for him, as he tries so hard, yet not necessarily with the desired outcomes. Nick, Joy and Chris are like a small family, and although not a lot happens here, there is a gentle and touching domestic narrative, in which we learn about Chris's housemates, and come to genuinely like them. The singer/actor who plays Joy is especially notable for a lovely and lively performance, while Gilshenan, who just appeared in Savage Christmas, gives a nuanced performance as a man with a deep sad secret. A small but charming Australian film.3.5 - well recommended
Uproar
Dir: Paul Middleditch & Hamish Bennett
Length: 110 mins
 |
© Kismet - likeable story of a boy finding
his place in the world and in his culture |
Dunedin, New Zealand, 1981 is in turmoil as the Sth African rugby team, the Springboks, is arriving, and crowds take to the streets to protest the apartheid-based nation visiting. Josh Waaka (Julian Dennison) is very much an outsider, the only Maori boy in a British style private school, and being no good at rugby makes him even more ostracised. When his teacher Madigan (Rhys Darby) discovers Josh has a talent for acting, he encourages the boy to apply for a place at NIDA acting school in Sydney. Meanwhile Josh's mum (Minnie Driver) pushes her reluctant son into the rugby team where his brother coaches, while Josh aligns himself with local Maori girl Samantha and the protests. Gradually events will conspire to lead Josh and his family to a place of acceptance and belonging. This is a sweet, low-key and likeable film, marked by a terrific performance from Dennison (remember him from Hunt for the Wilderpeople?) Some strong scenes of the Haka and Maori solidarity keep the indigenous theme relevant and visible. 3 - recommended
Loved the Old Oak x
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