No. 62 (2018) Under The Tree "Undir trenu" July 25th.

Film No. 62 (2018) July 25th.  6:30 PM LUNA  Palace Northbridge. 

"Has everyone lost there mind." (Balvin asks his bitter wife a question never truly answered in Undir trenu).

A film that begins with a drama as simple as neighbours complaining about a tree's encroaching shadow on their property, may have roots that spread in disconcerting ways; Undir trenu has those roots in spades. The squirm factor while watching Undir becomes more prevalent with every scene that passes. What begins as a light comical, social drama as neighbours banter over the habits of pets and the encroachment of the shadow of a tree escalates to something more akin to a scene or two from Fargo (Film or T.V. versions). Scandinavian cinema rarely fails to deliver a life lesson or two and writer/director Gunner Sigurassen (Paris of the North) reminds us that being a good person can take strict discipline. Discipline is definitely in short supply in the nature of these Nordic neighbours. 9GUMS. 

              

No. 60 (2018) The Breaker Upperers July 18th.

Film No. 60 (2018) July 18th.  6:45 PM EVENT Cinemas Innaloo.                        

"I want a nice clean break. I don't want years of heartache and stalking and therapy and possible violence." (A potential client explains the reasons for using Mel and Jen's expertise).

With a film pedigree of the likes of Boy and Hunt For The Wilderpeople, The Breaker Upperers was an outing I was particularly looking forward to. Now, the promotional sprucing "shouts" hilarious six times and there are some hilarious moments but too few to truly legitimise the poster. Mel (Madeleine Sami) and Jen (Jackie van Beek) quite literally do the dirty work of those too spineless to call off a relationship. Each scenario has an original take, from wandering minstrels to hooded bandits enacting a kidnapping. But once 40 minutes of the high concept is played out Breakers tries on a romance theme I was keen to break away from. Remember, there are some hilarious moments in the first stanza. That may be worth the visit. Non mainstream, off beat comedy, of the original variety is worth some applause, definitely! 7GUMS.

      

 

 

 

No. 61 (2018) RBG July 20th.

Film No 61 (2018) July 20th.  11:00 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"I ask no favour for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks".(RBG looks to camera and quotes the words of Sarah Grimke, a pioneer for human rights in the eighteen hundreds).

This inspirational bio-pic of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the U.S. second appointed Associate Justice, tells the story of an exceptional human being. The film's qualities reflect the same mesmerising effect Ginsberg has on her audiences, the many people, of all ages, who swarm to her numerous public appearances. RBG traces Ginsberg's extraordinary career in human rights law. Her dogged determinedness to work for equal rights for all, no matter ones sex or social status, was and is legendary. Then there is her devotion to husband Marty, a man of humour and honour. Ginsberg is a democrat so some viewers may be slanted in their views of her but there is no denying even the staunchest republican would know someone who has benefitted from at least one of RBG's judgments. 10GUMS.

       

No. 59 (2018) Sickies Making Films (Revelation Film Festival) July 17th.

Film No 59 (2018) July 17th.  8:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"They have sickies making films, yes that's what we have, sickies".(The voice of 70 year old Mary Avara, a member of the Baltimore censorship board expounding her opinion on the film industry in general).

 

The film goers at my showing of Sickies Making Films laughed out loud on numerous occasions in response mainly, to the strongly opinionated views of Mary Avara, an elderly member of The Baltimore Censorship Board. In a country (the U.S.) where freedom of rights is embedded in constitutional law the mere idea that one or two individuals can control what a majority of the public can or can't watch is an example of irony if ever there was one. And while Sickies is a dry study, there are some clear thinking talking heads to reinforce the ridiculousness of Baltimore's controlling body. John Waters (Hairspray) has a tilted view of course but he does make compelling sense; "After all we pay a premium to decide what we wish to view, don't pay and you won't see". That makes the most sense to John and to me alike". 8GUMS.        

No. 57 (2018) American Animals (Revelation Film Festival) July 14th.

Film No 57 (2018) July 14th.  7:45 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Do you ever feel like you're waiting for something to happen but you don't know what it is, that thing that could make your life special?"(V/Over of Spencer Reinhard questioning himself during an insecure stage of early adulthood).

In Lexington Kentucky in 2004, four naive college kids shocked locals and subsequently the whole world by carrying out an ill-fated book heist (yes, book heist). Bart Layton brings a character driven drama and folds it into real life, much like he did in, The Imposter, as those who were involved talk directly to camera about their frame of mind and the reactions of others at the time. This is film making of the unique kind. Many critics have described the film as a glorification of the deeds of "goof-balls". Goof-balls trying to maintain their moment in the sun. I found the perpetrators generally remorseful and working legitimately to regain purpose in their lives. After all they paid a reasonably high price. A.A. tells a bizarre story using a unique technique. I found the film a fascinating, tense study of how ill fated some people can be. 10GUMS.    

No. 58 (2018) Holiday (Revelation Film Festival) July 15th.

Film No 58 (2018) July 15th.  7:15 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Pretty girls, nothing is for free. That is the way the world works".(Sascha receives her first piece of uncompromising advice from the first of her powerful overseers). 

Holiday is a reflection of all that is Perth's edgy Revelation Film Festival 2018. A festival that has become embedded in Australia's cinema psyche in recent years. Holiday is a tough, uncompromising study of a beautiful young girl Sascha (Victoria Carmen Sonne) coming to terms with her own naivety and the life shaping choices she will make as a trophy accessory of a mafia chieftain. It is a compelling study. Michael (Lai Yde) rules his entourage (people we see but never meet) and they represent what Sascha may become. All the time there is uneasiness to this sideshow of a holiday. A rape scene of disturbing power will shock, but Sascha's subsequent demeanour sums up the lack of respect she has for herself. Then again that is nothing to what follows. 10GUMS.    

No. 56 (2018) U - July 22 "Utoya 22 Juli" (Scandinavian Film Festival 2018) July 11th.

Film No. 56 (2018) July 11th.  8:35 PM PALACE Norton St. Leichhardt  Sydney. 

"The attack on Utoya lasted 72 minutes" (The chilling subtitle to conclude the equally chilling trailer for "Utoya 22 Juli").

In this tribute to the brave youth who were on the island of Utoya, Norway on July 22nd 2011, Erik Poppe (The King's Choice) has created a film too real to recommend. I'm sure however he has achieved his end goal; to transfer a sense of utter fear, the like very few of us will ever encounter. He then wills us to reflect on the threadbare hope that nothing of this magnitude could ever be repeated. We are placed in the hands of Kaja, brilliantly played by Andrea Berutzen for a chilling 72 minutes, the exact duration of the siege. Kaja is intelligent, a teenager and faces this absurd situation with unforgettable bravery. Utoya-July 22 will grip you, it will frighten you but it may not be an experience you wish to have. 9GUMS.

No. 55 (2018) Adrift July 7th.

Film No. 55 (2018) July 7th.  2:45 PM PALACE Chippendale Central Park Sydney. 

"I'm not going anywhere without you; come sail with me" (Richard makes an offer to his new love Tami; an offer with dire consequences).

Shailene Woodley plays Tami Oldham in a retell of the horrifying real-life 1983 adventure of how she met English adventurer Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin) in Tahiti, fell in love, then set sail together, into one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the region. Those who know the story or have read Oldham's memoir Red Sky In Mourning will know the twist Adrift takes 30 minutes in, and the rest of us quietly admire the angle director Baltasar Kormakur (Everest) takes building tension and the tenderness Tami and Richard have for each other. Woodley and Claflin's chemistry is convincing in a film with no surprises, is tensely shot and with a heart as big as the Pacific ocean Oldham drifts in. 8GUMS.

      

No. 54 (2018) Lost in Paris June 26th.

Film No 54 (2018) June 26th.  11:10 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Help, after 48 years of living in Paris they want me to live in an old people's home. This is ridiculous, I'm only 88".(Marta's letter to Fiona in Canada contains this sentence which convinces Fiona to travel to France).

Jaques Tati is a legend of French cinema. His unique visual big screen comedy brought people flocking to cinema's world wide in the 50's and 60's. Lost in Paris plays as a tribute to Tati, and nearly pulls it off. Three clowns in the form of Fiona (Fiona Gordon), Dom Dominique Abel) and Martha (Emmanuelle Riva) play out a silly journey of coincidental encounters based around Fiona's visit to Paris to help her aunt Marta with a domestic crisis. The journey revolves around the silly premise that even the disaffected can find connection in a big city; you don't even have to try very hard. Lost is laced with whimsey, played out with silliness and all the time remains slightly affecting. Gordon and Abel have risked finance and artistic integrity in making this film. Both virtues remain intact on the back of one or two festival audience awards along the way. I have nothing but admiration for the risks they have taken in this 83 minutes (yes, 83 minutes!) of inoffensive fun. 8GUMS.
   

      

No. 53 (2018) Two Is A Family (Demain tout Commence) June 20th.

Film No. 53 (2018) June 20th.  6:30 PM LUNA  Palace Northbridge. 

"Stop sending fake letters and tell her the truth" (Bernie suggests an easier way for Samuel to win his daughter's respect).

This French feel good film does everything efficiently except give off an engaging appeal. I'm not sure whether it's because the life message layered in its themes is delivered clumsily or that the cast just doesn't ooze the chemistry necessary. Either way the film is clunky but will suit the tastes of many punters keen to wind down and let heartfelt cheer wash over them. Omar Sy is french box office gold currently, so placing him in a role as Samuel, a happy go lucky lad, inoffensively playing the field is no surprise. Kristen (Clemence Poesy), a one night stand from his past, reappears in his life with a mixed race baby in her arms. Asking Samuel to hold little Jeune under false pretences, then disappearing, our life affirming journey with Samuel begins. Light, heartfelt and will get a following. 7GUMS.