November 5th

British Film Festival

Prisoners of the Ghostland

Finally we have a festival launching in cinemas. The always terrific British FF comes to a cinema near you. And for fans of Nic Cage there's a seriously weird streaming release that could possibly become a cult favorite. 

British Film Festival

November 3rd until December 1 - Melbourne opening on November 5th

Palace Cinemas

For all the info on places, dates and films: https://britishfilmfestival.com.au

Here we go with an in-cinema festival presenting top-class films from "the old country". Fans of Timothy Spall will be delighted to find him starring in three films, music lovers can catch a David Bowie biopic, and Clapton lovers will revel in his Lockdown Sessions. Favorite actors like Colin Firth, Olivia Coleman, Michael Caine and more are featured. There is also a retrospective of seven films from the seventies, including A Clockwork Orange and The Go-Between. I'm fortunate to have seen an excellent selection to recommend to you. All films are worthy contenders with my wholehearted recommendations being Boiling Point and Eric Clapton.  

© Brit FF - tensions simmer in
a high-end restaurant

Boiling Point: With 10 nominations to its name, this fine film takes us to a high end restaurant, where chef Andy (Stephen Graham) and his staff are juggling preparations, table service, and tempers. This is truly a brilliant performance from Graham, and the entire cast; you feel like you are on the spot, in the kitchen, experiencing more tension than is bearable. The film is done in one extraordinary real-time shot, and captures Andy juggling personal and business dramas with his work, all exacerbated by demanding guests, an unexpected health inspector, and problems with staff and the restaurant manager. A thrilling, totally immersive film.

© Brit FF - behind the scenes
in the bubbly industry

Sparkling: The Story of Champagne Who doesn't love a glass of bubbly, and what's not to love about this charming doco featuring the great champagne houses of France? There's a bit of history of the delicious beverage, and informative interviews with winemakers of such great houses as Dom Perignon, Pommery, Pieper Heidsieck, and more. But the real surprise is the Brits now buying into the industry, marketing their sparkling white, and taking some top prizes, much to the chagrin of the French! And with climate change, there may be more forced collaborations between the two countries' industry - sacre bleu! This is effervescent viewing, light, lovely and fun.  

© Brit FF - age has not wearied him -
Clapton as good as ever

Eric Clapton: Lockdown Sessions -  When Clapton's concert at Albert Hall was cancelled due to the pandemic he headed to a gracious house in the beautiful English countryside, set up a studio, and made a recording with his small band of bass, drums and keyboards. Almost like a sequel to his Unplugged album, this is a session to delight Clapton fans and music lovers - a showcase for musicianship par excellence. The doco is also a lovely behind the scenes look at the guys and their long-standing relationship with each other, playing seamlessly together as if they can read each other's minds. Great to see the not-so-young at the top of their musical game. There are old favorites, some interesting covers and plenty I'd never heard - just an immersive total enjoyment.

© Brit FF - the nightmare of
trench warfare

The War Below: There's never a lack of films telling true World War 1 stories from yet another angle, this time, that of the coal-miners who were co-opted into the war effort. Their job was to tunnel from the Allied trenches under no-man's land, through to the German trenches and set off bombs. A solid, serviceable film, it pays homage to the unsung heroes whose efforts saved many lives. 

© Brit FF - this unusual film
features a great perf from Spall

The Grand Duke of Corsica: Alfred Rott (Timothy Spall) is a renowned architect with a most cantankerous nature. He's commissioned to build a mausoleum by an eccentric man (Peter Stormare) living in Malta. At the same time a crew is there making a film set in the 1200s about St Francis curing a leper. Things get dire when a malaria epidemic hits. Spall is at his sour-faced, crude-mouthed best, Stormare is pretentious and histrionic as the self-appointed Grand Duke, and the whole film is peppered with philosophising and illness, all adding up to a rather perplexing but nevertheless intriguing and unusual movie experience. The whole epidemic theme is treacherously close to home!

© Brit FF - insightful look at several generations
of family and creativity

My Father and Me: Nick Broomfield is a famed documentary film-maker but here he turns the camera upon himself and his relationship with his father. Maurice Broomfield was a renowned photographer of industrial subject matter. Sounds potentially dull, but is anything but! The film shines a light upon Maurice's spectacularly impressive body of work, that's actually starkly beautiful. The doco also examines the family's relationships, and the creative differences between father and son. There are some lovely intimate moments and nostalgic old home films, along with an intriguing family history involving more cultural clashes between members of the extended family, some from Europe and others who were dyed-in-the-wool Brits. 

Prisoners of the Ghostland

Dir: Sion Sono

Length: 100 mins

Streaming on major platforms

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yumhd1yDlU

© Umbrella - what a mash up
of genres. Cage at his craziest

After Nicolas Cage's fine turn in the recent Pig, he's back, as mad as he ever was. The Japanese director has made a "weird science fiction horror action crime film", the plot of which totally eludes me, but seems like a mash-up of samurai, western and sci-fi genres. Cage is a criminal, sent out by "the governor" (a creepy old dude in a Texas style outfit) to rescue his daughter (Sophia Boutella) from the Ghostland, which looks like a place out of a Mad Max movie. Suffice to say, this will possibly become a cult movie - a wild action ride  and some seriously well-crafted scenes in terms of settings. 

2.5 - maybe - for Cage fans, definitely

October 27th

A Life on Our Planet  (streaming on Netflix)

A Sun (streaming on Netflix)

The Serpent (Series - streaming on Netflix)

Well here we are at last. Lockdown is easing, cinemas are opening with a smorgasbord of offerings, most of which I haven't yet been able to see. So let's stick with good ol' Netflix for this week. Take note that festivals are coming fast and furious over the next few weeks. And for Sydneysiders, the St ALi Italian Film Festival has just started and runs for the next month (see my reviews in last week's edition.)   

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

Dir: several

Length: 83 mins

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64R2MYUt394

© Netflix - compulsory viewing
to help save the planet

This has been on Netflix for some time now, so you may have seen it; I only just discovered what could be one of the most timely and important documentaries of the current era. Much-loved naturalist David Attenborough has created what he calls his "witness statement", where he reflects upon his life and  remarkable career. More importantly tells it like it is, opening with "the planet is headed for disaster". In the seventy years he's been showing us the world, he has seen the devastating impact humans have had on the planet, its ecosystems and its animal inhabitants. As well as delivering scary statistics showing the correlation between burgeoning population and loss of wilderness along with carbon emissions, he gives us a glimmer of hope, that things can yet be brought back from the brink of destruction. The beautiful natural images from his many shows are spectacular, making his dire message all the more compelling. This should be compulsory viewing for everyone, especially the politicians heading to Glasgow!

5 - unmissable

A Sun

Dir: Mong-Hong Chung

Length: 156 mins

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5-FEtJTg44

© Netflix - intensely told,
brilliantly acted

How this 2019 film didn't get a mainstream release here I don't know - it is fantastic. With 9 wins at various festivals and 25 nominations under its belt, it tells the story of an ordinary Taiwanese family of four, and the ripple effect upon their lives when one son A-Ho is sent to juvenile detention for his involvement in a violent attack. There is so much depth of emotion in this film, as characters grapple with guilt, rejection, anger, fear and redemption. Each character is richly drawn, from the punitive father, to the compassionate mother, and the favoured brother, studying medicine but hiding his own problems. Every detail feels authentic with no recourse to melodrama. The film is magnificently shot, and each performance is pitch-perfect.  

4 - highly recommended

The Serpent

Dir: various

Length: 8 episodes by approx 50 min each

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgB7rMuxY-s

© Netflix - Sobraj (aka Alain) with
sidekick Monique

Anyone old enough to remember the name Charles Sobraj will probably already have shivers running down their spine. This notorious serial killer preyed upon young travellers along the so-called "hippie trail" in the '70s, poisoning, drugging and murdering, stealing their passports and money, all under the guise of being a precious gem dealer. Every performance from largest to smallest is memorable, especially Tahar Rahim as the charismatic killer. Billy Howle is also impressive as central character Herman Knippenberg from the Dutch Embassy, who starts to piece together the case after two of his countrymen disappear.  Suffice to say this series is binge-worthy gripping stuff, with settings from Kathmandu, to Bangkok and India, and a plot that will have you on tenterhooks. It's not the faint-hearted but totally immersive.

4.5 - wholeheartedlyrecommended

Japanese Film Festival

28th October - 5th December - different dates, different states

For all the info on dates and films: https://japanesefilmfestival.net/

It's the 25th anniversary of the Japanese Film Festival with a fabulous selection of features spanning many genres. For any readers in these states, the Festival opens in Canberra this week, followed by Perth and Brisbane, but I'll save my reviews for the opening in Sydney and Melbourne in a month's time. Doesn't stop you browsing the program and getting ready!

 October 22nd

Ms White Light

Becoming Cousteau

St Ali Italian Film Festival

Well here we are at last. Cinemas are re-opening and there has been so much confusion, I suggest if you want to watch any of these films, new releases or festival films, you head to Professor Google and find out what is playing where in your State. Of course online and streaming remain alive and well. If the Italian FF is not yet on near you, jot down those that take your fancy, and catch them when the Festival hits your city. 

Ms White Light

Dir: Paul Shoulberg

Length: 97 mins

Available to rent on a variety of platforms - including  iTunes, Googleplay and more

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YImFW1JUMU4

© Heritage Films - bringing death into
the spotlight - in a quirky way

Lex Cordova (Roberta Conlindrez) works with her dad Gary (John Ortiz) in a business they call Mortality Solutions. It involves Lex being hired to assist dying people to "let go" and to accompany their final moments, especially in cases where the families cannot handle the situation. Lex is masterful at what she does, however, when it comes to relating in the broader world, she is  socially inept. Then she meets Valerie (Judith Light), a feisty unafraid woman, who just wants companionship and also employs Spencer (Zachary Spicer), a charlatan spiritualist. These two will give Lex a whole new perspective on life. I have no idea why this award-winning quirky film hasn't made it to screens here before now (maybe because it divides critics on Rotten Tomatoes?) Even though a couple of plot directions are a bit obvious, it's refreshing to see death out in the open, with our mortality front and centre. The film is well-scripted with plenty of dry humour and winning performances by all, especially Ortiz and Conlindrez.

4 - highly recommended

Becoming Cousteau

Dir: Liz Garbus

Length: 93 mins

Variety of cinemas Australia wide

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGECa4jFME

© Rialto - a legend in the ocean
and in his own lifetime

I remember as a little kid loving the regular docu-series The Underwater World of Jacques Cousteau. And now, all grown up and old, I can enjoy him all over again, in this excellent doco tracing his life story and his environmental legacy. A nominee for Best Doco at the London FF, the film has been crafted from more than  550 hours of footage, archival and modern. We discover that the man had many more strings to his bow than underwater exploration - he was an adventurer, author and inventor, giving the world the breathing regulator that enable SCUBA diving to happen. Sadly too, we discover how Cousteau began sounding the alarm on the world's environmental problems decades ago, but no-one really wanted to listen. Absorbing and important viewing.

3.5 - well recommended 

ST ALi Italian Film Festival

20 October - 12 December

Melbourne and Canberra are last cabs off the rank, not  opening until 19th November.

For times, venues, films and bookings in all other states, visit: www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Always a showcase of magnificent films from Italy, this year's festival features a Roberto Rossellini retrospective, with a restored version of the classic Rome, Open City as the closing night movie. Another couple of interesting retro films are Marriage Italian Style and Visconti's The Leopard. As always, the festival features award winners,  including Nanni Moretti's Three Floors and To Chiara, which won the Director's Fortnight prize at Cannes. I'm lucky to have previewed a few.

© Italian FF  - Cannes winner 
1946

Rome, Open City: This remarkable film, nominated for an Oscar in 1945, also won the top prize at Cannes the following year. Rossellini had Fellini collaborate with him on the screenplay, a script which totally stands the test of time! An Italian  resistance leader is pursued by the occupying Nazis, while deception, lies, torture, tragedy and unsurpassed bravery take centre stage. The film feels more authentic than so many war depictions in modern films, and having the opportunity to see it gloriously restored is not to be missed. 

   

© Italian FF  - Bergman
in full flight

Stromboli: Another film in the Rossellini retrospective, Stromboli won a couple of awards for Ingrid Bergman. It's the story of Karin, a woman displaced after WW2, who marries a simple Italian guy who comes from the volcanic island of Stromboli. She cannot get used to the lifestyle there, and resolves to get away - but the volcano has other ideas! Melodramatic but intriguing, this is a window into a way of life led by many of the migrants who ultimately made their way to Australia. If you want a classic 50s film, this could be it, and of course Bergman is iconic. 

© Italian FF  - best actor for 
Favino

Padenostro: Inspired by the director's own childhood, this is the story of young Vale, who witnesses the attempted assassination of his father, Alfonso (Pierfrancesco Favino) a judge. The traumatised boy befriends a mysterious older lad, and, when the family head south for a break to Calabria, disturbing connections are revealed. Favino got the Best Actor award for his fine performance, scenically it is beautifully shot, and there is much tension and heart in this impressive film. 

© Italian FF  - much awarded
and so innovative

Hidden Away: Antonio Ligubue was an artist who painted in the naive style. His story is heartbreaking: he was orphaned young, sent from his native Switzerland to Italy, then spent many years in and out of mental institutions. This startling biopic is the winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actor (Elio Germano) plus many other Donatello awards, and is innovative in so many regards. Its visual style, narrative arc, and stunning cast are all memorable. It also is a beacon to encourage compassion for those who are somehow different.

© Italian FF  - umpteen awards
for this moving story

Glass Boy: This one is fun for the entire family. Young Valerio suffers from haemophilia and can only look longingly out the window at other kids playing together. But when he attracts the attention of a special group (the SNERDS), his life takes a new turn. Yes, there is much here that we can predict and have seen before, but the kids all pour their hearts into their roles, there's plenty of light-weight adventure, and it is an uplifting film in dark times.

 

 October 15th

Lamb (in cinemas where open)

The Donut King (streaming on DocPlay)

Security (streaming on Netflix)

The Father Who Moves Mountains (streaming on Netflix)

Despite our Melbourne cinemas still not being open, there's a lot of stuff happening on streaming platforms, and A LOT of film festivals coming up. So, that may explain the frequency of editions I'm putting out. Stay tuned for the Japanese Film Festival, British Film Festival, Italian Film Festival. Meantime some good recommendations here, and let me reiterate the value of subscribing to DocPlay, for little more than the price of a cup of coffee per month! 

Lamb

Dir: Valdimar Johansson

Length: 106 mins

Screening at most cinemas where no lockdown applies! Put it on your list Melbourne!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw1ZBO-YZYc

© Madman - warm and fuzzy but
also unnerving and majorly weird!

Maria (Noomi Rapace) and husband Ingvar (Hilmir Snaer Gudnason) farm sheep in a remote rural region of Iceland. One day, a most unusual lamb is born, and they decide to rear it as if it were their child. When Petur, Ingvar's brother, turns up, he disturbs their new-found happiness. Perhaps the less said about the rest of the plot, the better, as this is the sort of imaginative, bizarre and quasi-mythical narrative that invites you to interpret what it really is all about. Winner of the prestigious Un Certain Regard in Cannes 2021, Lamb is a film some viewers may find slow, but I found it grippingly tense, at times menacing, and absolutely intriguing. The bleak landscape is splendidly captured in wide shots, and the director creates a constant tension. The unexpected nightmarish conclusion makes for challenging viewing. Many close-up shots of the farm's sheep add to the surreal atmosphere. Ultimately Lamb tells a powerful but sad tale, which leads us to question the value of playing with nature. Fabulous performances from the small cast, and some fine special effects where required.

4 - highly recommended

The Donut King

Dir: Alice Gu

Length: 90 mins

Streaming on DocPlay: www.docplay.com

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLKugGKgJsQ

© Madman - donut heaven in a really 
interesting and inspirational story

In 1975 Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy fled with his wife and three kids to America, with nothing to his name. While working as a janitor and then 'pumping gas' he noticed a local successful donut shop and got himself apprenticed to Winchells, then a leading donut chain in California. The rest of the story is just amazing - how Ted set up a chain of his own unique donut shops, giving employment to countless other Cambodian refugees. There's a lot more to Ted's story but I'll leave you to discover it, as this is an absorbing and delightful story, not only of happy times and success from nothing, but also of hard times including some of the horrific history of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. The soundtrack, featuring plenty of donut-themed songs, is a hoot, and the American obsession with the sweet treat something to be wondered at. At heart, this is a story of hope and caring , with Ted an inspiration to make the best one can of life.

4 - highly recommended

Security

Dir: Peter Chelsom

Length: 118 mins

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8iHdswmYBA

© Netflix - complex plot, strong
performances

Roberto (Marco D'amore) works as a security surveillance expert, protecting the homes of the elite in the picturesque Tuscan seaside town of  Forte dei Marmi. One fateful night Maria appears in many of the residents' security cameras, face bloodied and beaten and begging for help. The ensuing revelations will bring down many people in the town, break up relationships, and uncover a web of lies and deceit. When I watched this I was definitely in the mood for a bit of a mystery/thriller and this sure has a lot to recommend it, although the plot at times is quite complex and convoluted. There are many thematic threads involving sexual assault, rich privilege, teacher-student relationships, marital discord and more. The fine cinematography captures the lovely town with the alpine backdrop and the dark underbelly. Acting is universally strong and overall, when the plot threads finally come together, there's a sense of a well-crafted, satisfying film.

3.5 - well recommended

The Father Who Moves Mountains

Dir: Daniel Sandu

Length: 108 mins

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX2b52unYdw

© Netflix - gripping and starkly beautiful

Mircea (Adrian Titieni) is a retired intelligence officer. He's expecting a child with his second wife. When the son from his first marriage, plus new girlfriend,  go missing hiking in the remote Bucegi Mountains in Romania, he heads to the site, begging the local search and rescue team to take him along on the mission. When the missing hikers can't be located Mircea calls in unauthorised hi-tech help from his past colleagues. With grand and sweeping cinematography, and a tense plot this is gripping watching that puts the viewer right into the scene: a cold, majestic, overpowering, and threatening landscape, and a man whose guilt and obsession lead him down paths of desperation. With strong psychological undertones, and a thrillingly tense plot, this is fine watching.

4 - highly recommended

 October 11th

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (online)

A Fire Inside

SciFi Film Festival

NYC Epicentres (streaming on Foxtel)

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories - (series streaming on Netflix)

With probably another two weeks to go of lockdown in Melbourne (aargh!!), there is still online solace with the wonderful Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, and the SciFi Film Festival. For the rest of you A Fire Inside releases, and Japan fans can soak up a terrific Netflix series. 

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival

https://mdff.org.au/home

October is Documentary month and with Melbourne still being in lockdown this fine festival is online for the entire month. 

Earlier in the year I reviewed, among others, Batoor's Journey http://hurstosfiveminutefilms.blogspot.com/2021/07/july-17th-sir-is-love-enough-sir.html  and Cry of the Forests (http://hurstosfiveminutefilms.blogspot.com/2021/07/july-2nd-melbourne-documentary-film.html), which will show and come highly recommended. I've previewed a couple of further films from the festival: 

© MDFF: Great musicianship helps expose
important issues in the mental health area

Mental as Everything

Dir: Damon Smith

By his own admission, director Smith suffers from a debilitating mental condition known as OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In this frank and revelatory doco, Smith talks about what that means for his life, and in fact opens the door to allow others to talk about something that is so often swept under the carpet. Designed originally as a cabaret show, the film mixes creative original songs, which cleverly nail the essence of the condition, and are performed with his colleague Matthew Briggs. (Both are top musicians.) Along with honest discussion, and creative graphics, all combines to make for entertaining viewing, that is also extremely thought-provoking and helpful in tackling an important subject.

 

Meeting the Beatles in India

Dir: Paul Saltzman

© MDFF - a must-see for Beatles fans

In 1968, a 23-year-old budding Canadian filmmaker headed to India to visit an ashram, meditate and hopefully mend his broken heart. Imagine his surprise to find The Beatles were also staying there. In this terrific doco, made years later, he reminisces upon his time there, what the iconic group were like as people (as opposed to stars) and the lasting influence the experience had on his life. The film includes many intriguing insights into the group, how their music was influenced by their time in India, with  additional input from people like David Lynch and Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn. This is highly enjoyable viewing, especially for Beatles fans, and is an interesting account of one man's spiritual journey.

A Fire Inside

Dir: Justin Crook, Luke Mazzaferro

Length: 91 mins

Screening at many cinemas where no lockdown applies!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn7lRYxNA14

© Icon - bravery, heartbreak and resilience

Who can forget the horrendous bushfires that wreaked such devastation on Australia, just before Covid came along? This marvellous doco takes us into the heart of the apocalypse, initially following the journey of one fearless firefighter as he almost dies saving many families. But then the film moves on post-fires to look at the personal toll taken on people, fire-fighters and victims, as they battle with post-traumatic-stress, and attempt to rebuild their lives. We hear first-hand the harrowing stories of many of the firefighters, and also of survivors. While the film is an unforgettable account of devastation, it is also a celebration of amazing bravery, and an inspiration as we witness just how selfless some people can be as disaster brings out the best in them. Essential viewing, and a salutary tale for climate-change deniers.

4 - highly recommended

SciFi Film Festival

For program and bookings: https://scififilmfestival.com/

15-31 October

With 13 feature films, plus 67 shorts from 28 countries, this festival is soon to be online across Australia. The festival is touted as "mind-bending science fiction and fantasy" and there should be plenty to please fans. 

I watched Trans: A tale of schoolkid nerds in Korea attempting to create "transhumans". While not totally my genre, it could have quite some appeal to fans of the Frankenstein tale, with its freaky lightning shows, and kids behaving badly.   

 

NYC Epicentres - 9/11 - 2021 1/2

Dir: Spike Lee

Length: 4 episodes: 7 hours 20 minutes

Streaming on Foxtel

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOq-pMtnbNI

© Foxtel /HBO: binge this fab mini-series

Spike Lee's love song to his city is a terrific feat of film-making. Tracing the last 20.5 years, from the terrorist attacks of 2001 through to the Covid pandemic, Lee interviews a myriad of people (famous and otherwise)  who reflect upon their relationship to their city, their memories of 9/11, their current experiences with the virus, and so much more. No point my raving on about how engrossed I was in it, just watch the first hour and you'll no doubt be hooked. (It's made especially appealing by Spike and his very funny, idiosyncratic interjections and asides.)

4 - highly recommended

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Several series - half hour episodes

Streaming on Netflix

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCGDVHjPX0c

© Netflix - oh yeah! I love it!

A Netflix original series, this is one to transport you to Japan, and for a brief half hour, take away your world-weary angst over everything crap that is happening in today's world. I've only just started this sublime series, but as a Japan-o-phile, I can say the series is reflective of a certain simplicity and compassion that one experiences in that country, and I can't wait to binge my way through it. The food may appeal, but ultimately it is the stories of human connection that hit the heart, as diners visit in the wee hours of the morning to pour out their hearts and seek comfort from Master (Kaoru Kobayashi) who serves wisdom with his simple comfort food.

4 - highly recommended