Film No. 30 (2025) April 16th. 12.30 PM LUNA CINEMA, Cinema 4, Leederville.
"Lily, you're just going to have to learn. Sometimes in life, shit happens." (Bob, Lilly's new friend, makes a plumbing joke).
WINNER: People's Choice Award (Tracie Laymon) Denver Film Fest. (2025).
There is nothing wrong with a film which is a little overly Schmaltzy, is there? No, I think not, particularly if it is unabashedly so and pulls it off with aplomb, the way, BOB TREVINO LIKES IT (TREVINO) does!
Director Tracie Laymon has given a small "gift" to lovers of cinema based on her own experiences. Imagine, as an only child, being blessed with a naturally sunny disposition, but being continually labelled useless by your sole parent - your father. Wow! Lily (Barbie Ferreira) guides us from being in this predicament, to finding a father figure who does care for her and gives her a confidence she could never have comprehended was possible. The fortuitous events which lead to Lily's good fortune are cleverly encapsulated in the film's title. Laymon brings an empathetic heart beat to TREVINO. You can tell it's personal.
13 Audience awards from a plethora of international festivals within the last 9 months is an indication of the affect TEVINO has had on people. Tracie Laymon you are the opposite of hopeless, girl!! 10GUMS.
Film No. 29 (2024) April 14th. 1:30 PM PALACE Raine Sq, Cinema 3, Perth City.
"We are all scared. With the life we lead, we breathe fear. It's the life we choose." (Lesia's askes her father Pierre if he is scared. He answers her).
NOMINEE: Un Certain Regard (Julien Colonna) Cannes FF.
When it comes to the Mafia landscape around the regions of Corsica and Sicily, which of the two were more violent? l'Express recently described Corsica as the "winner". LE ROYAUME takes us to the 1990's and gives us a riveting insight into that landscape; a Corsican gang through the eyes of innocence.
Watching 15 year old Lesia (Ghjuranna Benedetti) come of age in the "arms" of her gang (Mafia) boss father Pierre (Saverium Santucci) is both loving, emotional and exhilarating, particularly if one has fathered teenage girls. Director Julien Colonna has created a small masterpiece in this emotion charged fiction, focusing on the senselessness of the mafia wars that raged on the French ruled island, in the mid nineties. He has much to say which may lead to a Google search or two later. It makes one wonder how sacrificing family for a life of revenge drives Pierre here. Benedetti must have been a directors gift. To think she was twenty when playing Lesia. She is in every scene, and she owns the screen! She's the reason we question her father's life choices.
How could such love and care between a father and daughter as he instructs her on how to shoot a rifle, be so prophetic? This may repel a potential audience. I hope not because Colonna, in his first feature, shows himself to be an empathetic and skilled film maker. 11GUMS.
Film No. 28 (2025) April 9th. 11.00 AM LUNA CINEMA, Cinema 1, Leederville.
"Mr Sangare, I'm here to listen to you. It's your own story." (I'agente de l'OFPRA pleads with Souleymane to tell his story to her, so that he might stand a better chance of becoming a French citizen).
WINNER: Un Certain Regard (Boris Lojkine) Cannes FF (2024).
"Art imitating life" is a term used freely in the world of cinema, but is there a better example, in cinemas' right now, than THE STORY OF SOULEYMANE (STORY), the crowd stopper at Cannes in 2024? I think not!
Director Boris Lojking (HOPE, CAMILLE) continues his trajectory in telling stories about brave souls escaping a 3rd world existence for a better life. In STORY we get more of the same. Here, he has combined the real life plight of his lead actor, Abou Sangare, with a fictional character, Souleymane (Sangare). We spend most of the film following Souleymane on his electric bike as he delivers food from door to door as he tries to eek out a living. He lives "hand to foot". He rents an identity so he can work, earning just enough to pay for ID and mentoring (lessons on precuring citizenship). It's a tense watch. We try to hold hope for Souleymane. He is unendingly trying to meet deadlines he could keep if it weren't for hurdles our of his control. Sangare is brilliant. Perhaps his brilliance stems from the fact that in real life his citizenship application has been rejected 3 times so far.
Film No. 27 (2025) April 7th. 6.30 PM LUNA WINDSOR, Cinema 1, Nedlands.
"I rescued him from an oil slick. Now he thinks I'm his friend, but he's not my friend" (Tom tries to explain why "Penguin" stands looking at him lovingly at a beachside cafe).
"NOMINEE: Most Anticipated (Peter Cattaneo) The Critics Choice Awards (UK).
Do we forget what an accomplished actor Steve Coogan (Tom Michell) is? No, I doubt it, considering he's been nominated on multiple occasions for performance roles. His irreverent comic timing here will attract a crowd.
For a film that deals with serious issues such as bullying, oppression, kidnapping and pollution, THE PENGUIN LESSONS' (LESSONS) light, saccharine style is a risk, but director Peter Cartanio may well have created for himself another "FULL MONTY" success. Don't get me wrong, LESSONS has gaping "holes" but Coogan's comic timing, a lovable penguin, and easy to like side characters, will see the film win an audience. But the fact that this story begins in 1976 and Coogan's Michell observes, then befriends locals who are kidnapped and beaten shouldn't be ignored. His lack of emotion towards his "friends" didn't match the films tone for me. Whenever themes get serious in LESSONS, the Penguin would waddle in and demand a fish meal! It's a unique tone.
Based on a true story; the real Tom Michell (author) obviously gave a big tick to the many licences taken in telling this chapter in his life. A 50 something Coogan playing a 20 something Michell (his age back in 1976) is also a bit of a stretch! Despite it's holes, LESSONS works. 8GUMS.
Film No. 26 (2024) April 6th. 1:45 PM PALACE Raine Sq, Cinema 4, Perth City.
"For example, Lesley's hairstyle is very pretty." (The comment which sparked the furore which led the school board to investigate Julien's professionalism).
NOMINEE: The Berhnard Wiki Award (Score) Int Film Fest Emden Norderney.
Does THE GOOD TEACHER (TGT) give a fair insight into how a teacher might have their credibility destroyed if students decide to make baseless accusations? Most definitely, and worse still, the loyalty of his fellow professionals is tested. It's scary!
TGT is inspired by true events. Young secondary teacher, Julien (Franscois Civil) is our focus from the outset. We meet him in his class, only minutes prior to an incident which will impact greatly on his life, professionally and personally. His easy manner with the group suggests he is, as the title suggests, a good teacher. The realism is palpable. Soon his world unravels as he deals with an accusation sparked by an incident we are witness to. At the time it means nothing to us. He interacts with his class as a good teacher might. It's what occurs for the next 85 minutes that works everyone over emotionally; audience included. Civil is excellent as he controls the emotional barometer that is THE GOOD TEACHER.
Don't be thinking, TO SIR WITH LOVE or DANGEROUS MINDS when choosing TGT. The Danish film THE HUNT is likely the closest analogy. There is no feel-good experience. Teachers tread a fine line every time they teach. And more often than not, THEY ARE GOOD TEACHERS!10GUMS.
Film No. 25 (2025) April 5th. 11.00 AM LUNA CINEMA, Cinema 1, Leederville.
"Mommy, don't make me go in there. I won't go in there!" (Bill looks on as a daughter is pushed towards the local Magdalene Laundry run by The Catholic Church).
WINNER: Best Film (Tim Mielants) Irish Film and TV Awards (2025).
How many more films will it take for us to be convinced of the depth of Cillian Murphy's talent? Not too many more, I imagine. Here, he gives another dimension to what we already know of his talent.
From 1922 until1998, in Ireland, there existed institutions known as the Magdalene laundries , where young, unmarried, mainly pregnant women, who had no home, or had been thrown out of home were placed, usually against their will. Yes - until 1998! This story takes place in Wexford, IRE in the early 80's. Our unsettling journey takes place with Bill Furlong (Murphy), a hard working, retail coal trader. Bill is a good man, the father of 4 loved girls but who quietly festers in his own thoughts of childhood loneliness and bullying. The laundry in Wexford, (a client of his) is a blight on his conscience. How will he find some semblance of internal peace?
The seed for this troubling story comes from the Claire Keegan novella of the same name. THE QUIET GIRL, Bairead's first feature story, is also a Keegan novella. They make an effective, empathetically minded storytelling team. 10GUMS.
Film No. 24 (2024) March 31st. 3:30 PM PALACE Raine Sq, Cinema 4, Perth City.
"They say money can't buy happiness. But it all depends on the sum." (Major Roland begins his investigation into murder and mayhem).
WINNER: Audience Award (Franck Dubosc) Malaga French Film Festival.
Has actor, comedian and film-maker Franck Dubosc decided it's time to create the sort of film in which he can best ply his acting craft? If so, then he has succeeded with, UN OURS DANS LE JURA (KILLING) The Coen brothers most definitely have left an impression on Dubosc.
Think of FARGO's "man in a mess" scenario, mixed with BLOOD SIMPLE's darkness, plus a body count in the realms of NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Now you have something near KILLING. It's a likable 3 star, silly black comedy. Our heroes Michel (Dubosc) and Cathy (Laure Calamy) are innocent bystanders who decide that no one would believe them if they told the truth about the freakish nature of a couple of roadside deaths they're embroiled in. Then, the temptation presented on finding treasure at the scene, and deciding to keep it, only makes things worse. Police chief, Roland (Benoit Poelvoorde) is the clumsy "bloodhound" on the case. We grow to love them all, thus we know how things will finish.
Hats off to Dubosc for creating a screenplay, starring as the lead and bringing the biggest current name in French cinema, Calamy along for the ride. It's a load of twaddle, but a likeable load! 8GUMS.
