August 22nd 2025
Kangaroo Island
Irena's Vow
The Last Showgirl (streaming on Stan)
More from Indian Film Festival Melbourne
The new Aussie film Kangaroo Island is a standout this week. But, as always, there are several other worthy offerings!
 |
© Maslow Entertainment - delicate, beautifully
acted, witn an excellent narrative |
Already garnering praise at festivals, this latest Aussie offering from a first-time director is a tender, sad and at times funny look at ambition, regret, and ultimately the family ties that bind. Lou Wells (Rebecca Breeds) is pursuing a largely unsuccessful career in Hollywood, when she gets a letter from her father Rory (Erik Thomson) asking her to return home. An amusing series of events sees her on the plane with only the clothes she wears. She arrives back at her island childhood home with sister Freya (Adelaide Clemens), husband Ben (Joel Jackson), their kids, and a simmering pot of family secrets and recriminations. A film of this nature could run the risk of becoming a soapie, but thanks to excellent dialogue and scripting, absolutely believable characters and some of the most stunning cinematography, it soars above the mundane. The cause of the family friction is gradually revealed in flashbacks, while the reasons for being called home only gradually emerge, and will be something many can relate to. Just seeing the island and its iconic wildlife should get tourists flocking, but it is the authenticity of the characters and their story, so beautifully acted by all, that is a major drawcard.4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
Irena's Vow
 |
| © - a Holocaust story of courage |
Holocaust stories are often a case of truth being stranger than fiction. Here's yet another astonishing true story of how a 19-year-old Polish nurse, Irena Gut (Sophie Nelisse), managed to save Jewish lives through her acts of courage. Studying to be a nurse, when war breaks out, Irena is sent to work first in a factory where several Jews are also forced to work. She is then sent as a housekeeper to a manor commandeered by Nazi officer Rugemer (Dougray Scott). When she hears the Jews are to be rounded up she decides to hide them all in plain sight in the basement of her Nazi employer's villa. Unbelievable! Featuring a memorable performance from Nelisse, the film is testament to a gentile woman's compassion and bravery, as she witnesses horrendous brutality to those who protected Jews, yet retains the stength to do what she believes is right. Although the film doesn't break new ground in its style, and is in English (perhaps not the best choice), it is indeed an inspiring story.3.5 - well recommended
The Last Showgirl
Dir: Gia Coppola
Length: 88 mins
Streaming on Stan
 |
© Madman - homage to a dying lifestyle
on the Vegas strip. |
For those who only think of Pamela Anderson as bum, boobs and Baywatch, think again. She shows her acting chops in this film, such that she was nominated for a Golden Globe! This poignant story focuses upon a long-running show in the Las Vegas strip, and its now 50-something year old stalwart Shelly (Pamela Anderson). The show, run by Eddie (a surprisingly tender Dave Bautista) is closing down, and the dancers are faced with what to do with the rest of their lives. Anderson definitely surprises with the interesting character she portrays - not always likeable, often (impressively) without makeup, but suffused with a poignancy, as her whole identity has been tied up with this show, and many of the younger girls have seen her as a mother figure. Add to this her own daughter Hannah (Billie Lourd) being resentful of her mother's neglect and ashamed of her job, and you have a recipe for all-round sadness. Jamie-lee Curtis gives a star turn as aging alcoholic Annette who now does a sad dance routine in the foyer of a Vegas joint. The costumes are of course dazzling and the film captures the freneticness of getting a show together, although much is about the more mundane side of a supposedly glittering life.3.5 - well recommended
More from Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM)
On until August 24
Various Cinemas - Hoyts Docklands, Hoyts Chadstone, Village Crown, Geelong, Bendigo, Shepparton and more
The festival winds up this weekend, so there's still a chance to catch some excellent films in Melbourne. And if you're in Bendigo, you may like to check out this one:
Shook: This is a gentle story of Ashish, (Sameer Usmani) an aspiring writer living with his mother out in the 'burbs of Ontario Canada. He meets Claire (Amy Forsyth) who is about to relocate to the big smoke of Toronto and they fall into a relationship. Meantime Ash learns that his estranged father Vijay (Bernard White) has Parkinsons, so on every level life is turned upside down. Director Amar Wala strikes a lovely balance between humor, rom-com and personal family drama, delicately intertwined with the issue of how a very Anglo girl and a boy from Indian culture manage their time together. Ash's friends, all from non-Anglo backgrounds, all add a warmth and humor to the story, while Ash's relationship with his mother and father adds yet another very relatable dimension. Commendably, nothing is tied up in a neat bow at the end. It would be nice to see this lovely film get a mainstream release.
No comments:
Post a Comment