No. 78 (2018) Mug "Twarz" Sept 11th.

Film No 78 (2018) Sept. 11th.  6:30 AM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . (Polish Film Festival Sept 6 - 24th)

"I'll love you no matter what." (Jacek's pop hugs his grandson in a heart warming gesture of emotional generosity).

Twarz is the Polish word for Face. Mug is its English translation, and a harsh one at that. The power of Twarz comes through director Malgorzata Szumowska's images depicting a two-faced society, in this case embedded within a strict Catholic ethic. Jacek (Mateusz Kosciukiewicz) is a joker with a popular, blonde, party girl girlfriend (Malgorzata Gorol) he hopes to marry. It's his chance to break from his critical father and etch his own path. A catastrophic accident, onsite while building the world's tallest statue of Jesus Christ,  leads to a face transplant for Jacek. The tight community is tested. Jacek is different, his speech and physical form are altered. Strict principals of good will are strained. Then there is the under current of absurdist humour to strengthen Szumowska's strong comment on the human condition. 9GUMS.            

No. 76 (2018) Jimmy Barnes Working Class Boy Sept 4th.

Film No 76 (2018)  Sept. 4th.  7:10 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"It's given me a deeper understanding of who Jimmy is; you know I thought he was amazing before and now I don't think he's running away anymore".(Jimmy's wife Jane describes her feelings as Jimmy puts his story in the public forum).

Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel, solo rock performer) is the subject of this riveting story. Coming from a childhood lacking love (excepting from his step-father), money and general emotional nourishment we meet this flawed but genuinely good guy. The film is an adjunct to his best selling biography of the same name and uses the cinematic visual and sound medium to perfection. Jimmy, along with daughters Mahalia (mainly), EJ, Elly May and son David Campbell, play some show stopping moments as aspects of his story are told to varying live audiences as part of a  Working Class Boy tour he played around Australia and in Scotland. Jimmy is a classic A type personality who will charm you with his genuine spirit and undeniable talent. Spirit and talent that won the day. Jimmy is a ripper! 9GUMS.   

    

No. 75 (2018) You Were Never Really Here Sept 1st.

Film No 75 (2018) September 1st.  11:00 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"He got an anonymous text, with an address".(Joe is instructed by his "agent" in relation to his next job).

Wow, this is a film I'll recommend to only those who outwardly seek new and original experiences from their cinema. Joaquin Phoenix, the soundtrack (Jonny Greenwood), the editing (Joe Bini), the cinematography (Tom Townend) and the ending, star in Y.W.N.R.H. a raw tale about a hit man, Joe (Phoenix) who specializes in rescuing underage girls kidnapped for the most unthinkable of reasons by faceless predators. Scottish writer/director Lynne Ramsay had only Phoenix in mind for her troubled, unhinged creation of a man. A good man at his core. You Were Never Really Here is an intense experience which brings all the forces of the cinematic art together for a mere 85 minutes. It's both breathtaking and achingly good but will not suit all tastes. Phoenix devotees will not be disappointed. 10GUMS.

           

No. 74 (2018) The Merger Aug 30th.

Film No 74 (2018) Aug 30th.  6:45 PM EVENT CINEMAS Innaloo . 

"If these blokes can swing a hammer, I reckon they can kick a footy, eh!".(Troy has a theory about the ability of refugees who have settled in Bodgy Creek).

At last, an Australian feel good sporting tale to match Struck By Lightning (1990). The Merger is an unabashed feel good flick promoting tolerance and good will to all. It's slightly preachy, but the sharp, tight script keeps us enthusiastically anticipating the next comic quip. Australian Rules football is the plank on which The Merger walks but the clunky match scenes leading to the predictable outcome as Troy Carrington's (Damian Callinan) likeable, multi racial rag tag bunch of characters play out a season is the only small blight on a very humourous script. Throw in Neil (Rafferty Grierson) a precocious 10 year old docoumentary maker with some of the films best lines and The Merger wins in more ways than one. I hope there is a market for The Merger internationally; it deserves it. 9GUMS.