FILMS:
- El camino de los ingleses (Summer Rain, Antonio Banderas, 2006)
- Death of a President (Gabriel Range, 2006)
- Noise (Matthew Saville, 2007)
- Seishun zankoku monogatari (Naked Youth, Nagisa Oshima, 1960)
- Die Große Stille (Into Great Silence, Philip Gröning, 2005)
- Romulus, My Father (Richard Roxburgh, 2007)
- Made in Britain (Alan Clarke, 1982)
- Almodóvar on Almodóvar (Revised edition, 2006, Frédéric Strauss)
Death of a President
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Death of a President is an exploration of ideas. Of course, superficially it is about the demise of George W. Bush, something that controversially has perverse appeal to many. But beyond that, if such an event were to occur, what would happen? What happens when there is any major political catastrophe? What happened after 9/11? By exploring a fictional scenario, director Gabriel Range is really showing up how many lies we have been fed and swallowed since 9/11 in particular. How the public's thirst for simple answers and the media's willingness to provide them leads to a subversion of the truth.
Naked Youth
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The film depicts the radicalisation of Japan's youth, following in the footsteps of the West, with rock-and-roll music, sex, intoxication and abandon. As a parent of teenage children, I felt there was an authentic gritty reality to the story, still relevant, which Oshima clearly intended to challenge audience sensibilities. It was not an enjoyable film per se, but it was well done and I look forward to seeing more of Oshima's work. As a point of interest, an alternative title of the film is A Story of the Cruelties of Youth.
Into Great Silence
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The cinematography is stunning, set in a remote mountain monastery of the Carthusian Order in France. The beauty of the surroundings is intertwined with the architectural beauty of these massive buildings. We see the monks quietly going about their daily activities, usually in silence, but with occasional conversation or chants. It's not the kind of film I usually go to the cinema to see, but is worthwhile for those with patience, with an interest in contemplative cinema, experimental cinema or with three hours to kill.
Romulus, My Father
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The cinematography was both beautiful but understated, the music was non-invasive and appropriate. The details and period reproduction were excellent and the film showed the kind of nuance and restraint that Noise would have greatly benefited from. The film quietly meanders and takes its time, not being overly profound but perhaps a little slow at the end when it could have wound up a bit sooner. Richard Roxburgh is a talent to watch out for. An intelligent, well-measured, subtle and very enjoyable film with a distinct Australian flavour.
Made in Britain
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Made for television, this caused controversy when released and according to the curator of the Focus on Punk, was debated in British parliament. Clarke is clearly holding a mirror up to society, and it ain't pretty. Trevor is a skinhead filled with hatred and from start to finish, his path is clear. He's going nowhere, fast.
The black humour is blacker than black, and the menace of Trevor reminds me of the recent depiction of Hannibal Lektor by Brian Cox in Manhunter. The guy is irredeemable. The camera shots were stunning, following Trevor around in first-person view. The long takes were very impressive. This is easily the best telemovie I have ever seen, and a fantastic end to the week's viewing. This is must-see stuff for fans of social realism.
2 comments:
ah brilliant, what did i tell you about clarke? he was the greatest.
Yes, Trent, many thanks for putting me onto Alan Clarke. It's because you recommended him so highly that I noticed his film in the ACMI season. There's not a lot in this season that interests me, but Made in Britain stood out, and I'm also planning to see Repo Man next weekend.
Made in Britain is only 70 minutes long, and while it's made for television, it is so absorbing that it might just as well be made for the big screen (it's better than 99% of what I see). Pity he died so young (like Kieslowski).
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