Film No. 20 (2025) March 5th. 1.15 PM LUNA CINEMA, Cinema 8, Leederville.
"We have to raise our voices, not be silent as if no human beings live here" (Basel makes his point to Hamdam as to why they need to document (film) everything).
WINNER: Best Feature Documentary (Basel Adra) The Oscars (2025).
If we take it that tolerance and empathy form the foundation for our belief system as human beings, then, the images depicted in NO OTHER LAND (NOL) are a brutal reality check on such an assumption.
In 2019 the Israeli Supreme Court designated that the West Bank region of Masafer Yatta become a military training ground. The fact that over 1800 Palestinians occupied that space seemed to matter little. NOL is an Academy Award winning documentary that will have you muttering the expletive WTF throughout. The occupants of Masafer have lived there all their lives. They have no other land. We witness bulldozers turning up, and within minutes mashing houses, businesses and even a school (students look on) into rubble. But despite the hate between these nations, the film is a collaboration between Palestinian, Basel Adra and Israeli, Yuval Adraham. Their friendship is exhilarating. Their conversations throughout the film plead for peace, for empathy among their own, for hope, quality of life, love, care and tolerance. And on top of this, there are their images! Unbelievable!
Film No. 19 (2025) March 4th. 6:30 PM EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 16, Innaloo.
"Yeh, Biscuit they used to call me; like Ginger Nuts. Cause I had ginger nuts". (Spit talks to his nephew, Tyler, about a subject of no consequence to anyone).
NOMINEE: Most Anticipated Aust. Comedy (Jonathan Teplitsky) Australian Writers Guild (2025).
Is the most salient point of this reboot, the inference that Johnny Spitieri is not as dumb as he seems? Either that, or why are refugees so disrespected in Australian culture? Or perhaps the message is that family is everything for those with so little.
The David Wenham fuelled, SPIT, is so choc-full of themes that it lost me along the way. But, it would seem I was one of only a few who felt that way. Most of the audience at the well attended preview I attended, were buzzing about this fun fairy-tale about a much loved character, who first gained legs (or thongs) 22 years ago in GETTIN' SQUARE (GS). Put simply, Johhny of GS was a thong wearing, physical, clown who made for many LOL moments. He's been overseas, evading the law, and others, after his GS escapades. Now he's back and Wenham weaves his magic with a slightly more thoughtful Johnny. He's returned to Australia and in detention after being deported from the UK. And, would you believe it, throughout the movie he's helping refugees (fellow detainees) and making connections with long lost family. He's still a clown. There are laughs but I just couldn't get engrossed in Spit, despite Wenham's brilliance.
It has taken 10 years for director Jonathan Teplitsky and Wenham to get SPIT made. Finance was the issue, and finally Queensland Film Fund and FilmAustralia produced the goods. Both believe the film will plough $8M back into the Qld economy. I hope it does. Spit is fun, it has heart and a pleasant enough twist. See it on a big screen. 7GUMS.
Film No. 18 (2025) March 3rd. 1:15 PM EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 9, Innaloo.
"He's not your friend. People like Warren only go down, and he'll take you with him". (Prison Liaison Colleen wises Mel up to who he should trust while inside).
WINNER: Awgie Award, Original Feature (Charles Williams) Australian Writers Guild (2025).
How does a first time feature writer/director (Charles Williams) gain the services of star performer Guy Pearce? Send him the script and have him so excited he offers to co-produce. That's how!
It's rare to see a prison drama revolve around the premise of a hardened juvenile inmate transitioning into mainstream prison life. Williams gives us Mel (Vincent Miller). We enter a Barwon-like gaol with Mel. And forget the sugar-coating served in HOW TO MAKE GRAVY, Mel has arrived to serve time with "the big boys". Prison Liaison, Colleen (Tammy McIntosh), has concerns for his safety, so she assigns Warren Murfett (Pearce) as his mentor. Briefly, we are lulled into believing that Murfett will heal most of Mel's "wounds". Not so. Murfett is far more wounded than Mel. His world revolves around survival and protecting his neck. Or could it be that his insecurities lead Mel to a new resolve? Pearce gives dimensions to Murfett which propel INSIDE to 4 star cinema. And while the Fantale, was a great idea, it lacked the punch it deserved.
INSIDE is not a "quiet night at the flix" pic. Pearce will attract a crowd, and so he should, but don't expect the Guy we most often get. Here you'll get a different perspective from an actor who knows his craft. Murfett has stayed with me since I met him. 10GUMS.
Film No. 17 (2025) February 26th. 6:40 PM EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 3, Innaloo.
"You're used to sorting it, aren't you? Taking care of things yourself". (Bird makes an astute observation of his new friend Bailey).
WINNER: Top 10 Independent Films (Andrea Arnold) National Board of Review, USA. (2025).
Is the brilliant BIRD a film to recommend to the people whose level of empathy you've never quite figured out? It's a thought I had, but maybe the raw realism of BIRD would be an unfair test.
BIRD is a modern day fable focusing on a U.K. (Gravesend; Kent) underclass which the rest of Britain try to ignore. We should have known, after FISH TANK (FT), that Andrea Arnold would create a film which is its equal . In FT, Arnold gave us Mia a fifteen year old locked into feelings of self destruction. Here, twelve year old Bailey has an energetic resilience and intelligence which keeps her (now separated) immature parents slightly grounded. She is a carer to her half brother and sisters. Formal schooling for these lovable rascals does not seem to be an option. Bailey's unending observation of insects and wildlife seem to be her only escape from this world of hard knocks. Then, enter Bird, a gentle young man with an aura about him. Could he be real? His gentleness calms this chaotic film immediately. Until, of course, that scene!
Bird (Franz Rogowski) gently massages strength and hope into Bailey. It's a trope within the film that is dividing audiences, but I appeal to your better senses. Let Bird transfix you, like he does Bailey. Fight it, and you'll be less empathetic to Bailey's cause. Bailey doesn't deserve that. 11GUMS.
