Film No. 40 (2022) May 24th. 5.00 PM Cinema 7. LUNA, Leederville.
"Is this supposed to be me? It's grotesque. I'll give you twenty thousand for it!". (Nic comes face to face with an effigy of himself in Javi's room, fronting as his homage to his favourite movie star Nic Cage).
Nic Cage is a star, who, to some, may give off an aura of aloofness. An untouchable arrogance, perhaps. This rollicking fun-filled film, with a lashing of the 'buddymovie' trope, should win over the sceptics and further reinforce the star that burns for his fans. If you go to the movies to be entertained, MASSIVE TALENT is for you. Don't miss it! I'll spoil nothing of this original self-effacing movie tribute to Nicolas Cage. You'll enjoy the ride.10GUMS.
Film No. 38 (2022) May 9th. 12.50 PM Cinema 7. LUNA, Leederville.
"I'm glad we met". (An 8 year old Marion tells Nelly how she feels about their time together, back in the past).
What if an intelligent, thoughtful child, Nelly (Josephine Sanz), aged 8, could be transported back in time (without a puff of smoke) to spend moments with her mother, Marion (Gabrielle Sanz), when she was also aged 8? Well, French director Celine Sciamma explores this idea in the very meditative PETITE MAMAN.
There is no BACK TO THE FUTUREhere, or more specifically, no DeLoreanin PETITE MAMAN. The gentle journey that Nelly makes to meet Marion takes the form of a walk into the woods that back onto the residence where three generations of Nelly's family have lived. The girls play, they build a house from large branches and keep each other company. Both have spent their childhood alone, with no siblings. Sciamma creates an atmosphere of gentle love in every scene, and not just between the "sisters". A kitchen scene of pancake making is pure fun.
The adults, Nellie's mother (Nina Meurisse) and father(Stephane Varupenne) in particular, lead the way as caring but grieving parents. Adult Marion disappears to "reflect" after her mother's death, which triggers Nelly's imagination. We then get an intimate view of the loveNelly and her fatherhave for each other. A simple shaving scene says so much.
If TOMBOY, Sciamma's first major feature, showed how in sync she is with children at thoughtful play, then PETITE Maman will delight. Her films never overstay their welcome. PETITE plays at under 72 mins. Sciamma tests your senses and experiences against those of others. 10GUMS.
Film No. 37 (2022) April 30th. 11.00 AM Cinema 1. LUNA, Leederville.
"I'll need a strong dose. I have the heart of an Ox". (Andre alerts his Swiss liaison person of what he will require for a successful passing).
The individual, choosing to die (euthanasia) has been the subject of story-telling many times over, certainly in recent years as questions of religious beliefs becomes less of an adherent. TOUT SEST adds to the list of stories. Director Francois Ozon (BY THE GRACE OF GOD) has taken this painful subject, (from a novel Emmanuele Bernheim wrote, basedon her experience with her father) and created a wonderfully compassionate, balanced film.
Shot No.1, Sophie Marceau, playing Emmanuelle takes a call while writing her next novel. Her father, Andre Bernheim (Andre Dossollier) aged 85, a selfish, demanding man is being transferred to intensive care after experiencing a stroke. She rushes to be by his side. We are soon embroiled in a bittersweet relationship. And so while Andre has a wife Claude (Charlotte Rampling)distanced because of Parkinson's, and another daughter, Pascale (GeraldinePailhas), it is Emmanuelle who is front and centre. Andre is putting his trust in her to help him end his life.
Once we know the responsibility Emmanuelle is entrusted with, we are in the care of a director (Ozon) who asks the question of society (France) and places us in the midst of intelligent people who are faced with a dilemma hopefully none of us will face. He does it with great care and humility. The blackest of moments are coloured with a humour that has great relevance. This post's opening quote is a premium example.
The end, when it comes is inevitable, never happy, but our heroes (Emmanuelle & Pascale) are closer and better people for their deeds and the loyalty they exhibit. The title, while obscure at first sight, makes total sense as the screen goes to black. 10GUMS.
Film No. 36 (2022) April 29th. 6:00 PM PALACE Cinema 3, Raine Square, Perth City.
"What world do you live in? With all the violence out there in the world ... they're trying to rip us off."(The un-named selfish father pleads with his daughter Claudia to open her eyes to the world).
Is IMMERSION all about questions relating to the selfish values of the middle class? Is it about family disconnect and the thoughts that promote negative feelings for one another? Or is it simply a film that doesn't quite hit the mark as a thriller, but young Chilean directorNic Postiglione's future work will still be worth a look? I think all of these questions have relevance in IMMERSION.
Put simply, Ricardo, played perfectly by veteranAlfredo Castro takes daughters Tere (Consuelo Carreno) and Claudia (Mariela Mignot) sailing on a lake known to him from family gatherings past. Their destination, a ram shackle old house left to him by his brother. While on the lake, in the early scenes, we learn Alfredo is all about Alfredo. As his daughters laze in the sun on deck he spots a small vessel sinking with three occupants on board. He turns a blind eye, raises the anchor and retreats rapidly. Tere observes her father's uncompassionate behaviour and so the slow burn thriller unfurls.
Postiglione constantly askes his audience questions about family, trust, prejudices, compassion and finally, what is really important in life. Wrapping this exploration of ideas in a thriller of 95 minutes gives us a compact time frame in which to come to our own conclusions. IMMERSION is worth a look, if you can find a showing. 8GUMS.
