The Dirties and Watchers Of The Sky

My work schedule had me home in Melbourne for just a tiny bit of the Melbourne International Film Festival, which gave me two films to see.

The Dirties was my first film, at Collins Street's Kino. A coming of age teen story about bullying and cinema-obsession. Two lads set out to make a film, telling the story of their dream of revenge on the bullies at school who make their days hell - the "Dirties". Very black, and very funny, with their constant film references.

The bullying intensifies, as does the revenge plot. The cult movie references fly, and then the guns are introduced. I find kids holding guns so abhorrent, so this very real turn was confronting. But the momentum had built, and things get out of hand, almost nonchalantly - but it's just pretend, right? Just a movie? Shocking, and yet almost surreal because of the level of desensitisation we the audience and society has towards violence and film.

My second film was equally as grim in topic and lessons - Watchers Of The Sky is a doco about the genesis of the term "genocide". The story of Polish man Lemkin, and the use of his word in international legal processes - and how often, genocide continues to be committed and ignored, the world over.

Grim and depressing, the truth of the reoccurent nature of such horrors around the world hits hard - but the end note about the basis of the name of the film restores hope, miraculously. I hope that in my travels and my work, I too can be one of the Watchers, to make the world a better place.

Project 52: Thursday Afternoon

In the middle of my crazy MIFF week, I took an afternoon off to squeeze one more movie in, based on a couple of recommendations. It's so decadent seeing a movie in the middle of a week day! The movie was Wadjda, and it was amazing - totally worth skipping work for!

This post is part of Project 52 with Jess from FuShMuSh.

Jimmy P, These Birds Walk and In Bloom

My last three Melbourne International Film Festival movies of 2013 were an intense selection, but maybe more to do with the fact that I had seen 10 already in quick succession!

Jimmy P
Inspired by a true story, Benico Del Toro plays an Native American who has returned from war and is experiencing a host of symptoms connected to a head injury. Admitted to a psychiatric facility by his concerned and frightened sister, it’s determined that there is nothing physically wrong, nor mating a full psychiatric criteria wrong, but something is amiss nonetheless. The hospital calls on anthropologist George Devereux to treat Jimmy’s condition, who has been out of favour, and is pretty eccentric. Devereux has a deep interest and body of work within Native American culture, and his language and learning process is fascinating to watch.

The sessions take on a journey for both men, and the film has you the viewer eavesdrop on the exploration of past, of dreams and intimate thoughts, and works through realisations, reframing and mental processing. The exploration of trauma and significant events, and the impact of racial discrimination, is powerful and gentle. Engaging in a mixture of curiosity and concern, this film is a study of who therapy could be when it is good and meaningful, and allowed the time to follow it’s own path.

These Birds Walk
I wonder whether MIFF fatigue with so many movies in one week impacted on my engagement with These Birds Walk, or whether my Social Work and International Development accountability background kicked in to overdrive and tainted my ability to just watch without judgement. This is a documentary bringing the work of the Edhi Foundation in Karachi, Pakistan to our screens – showing the man behind the organisation and shelter for children – which Wikipedia describes as the biggest welfare agency in the country. The film shows us the children who find themselves there – some runaways, some street kids, some kids who got lost, or were kicked out of home. It also shows us the work of the drivers of the ambulances of Edhi, who pick up the kids from the streets and bring them to the shelter, but of course they also need to balance this work with the need to make a living through morgue transportation and medical transport jobs. These are the staff members also responsible for returning the children in the shelter back to their families, and this is where my concerns are based.

We see a happy reunion, where an extended family receives their lost son back through one of these returns, and all seems well. But we also see one child returned to a dangerous area, to a family where the uncle states boldly to the camera that he would rather not have the child back. This boy exhibited serious stress and anxiety symptoms upon learning he was to be returned home, and the whole journey back and reunion is an uncomfortable watch.

In a world where accountability and assessment, and monitoring is so crucial, particularly to charities which pull donor monies in from so many different places, the level of care needs to be better. Safety of the child needs to be considered. Someone needs to check on the situation before this kind of child return is completed. This depiction of such a charity was disturbing and alarming.

I don’t want to belittle the work Edhi does because clearly this is just one little snapshot of their work, and further research outlines extensive medical support services in a country that needs so much, but these kind of practices bother me. There is a real need for care and accountability here, to the children that need protection and safety.

The documentary also spends time showing the kids as they stay at Edhi, playing, fighting, figuring out rank and little power balances, as any group of kids thrown together would. Some lovely moments of bonding and care, some painful displays of bullying and hazing. Altogether, an unsettling film and a glimpse into the difficulties of programs in countries where there are few regulations.

In Bloom
In Bloom was my final film for MIFF, and was a tale that made me despair for girls and young women in so many oppressive cultures the world over. Set in Georgia, the story follows a group of school aged girls trying to get through school, the ups and downs of being a teen in an adult world.

Complications in life come from boys, and a gun. A very early marriage changes everything, and teenage affection leads to tragedy.

This was another gem on the MIFF program by a female director from a land where women have such limited freedoms, and yet have such strong character.

Oh my word, I love MIFF, and the huge range of stories it brings to Melbourne for the two weeks in Winter.

Pussy Riot and The National: MIFF Movie Reviews

Backbeat during the Melbourne International Film Festival always brings a diverse range of music related stories to the cinema screens, and this year I saw Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer and Mistaken For Strangers, alongside Good Vibrations.

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
I was in Toronto when the members of Pussy Riot were sentenced to jail time, a year ago this week, but I didn’t really follow up on what their actions and the charges were all about – I just knew that they had raised the attention of many feminist human rights angst, and called out Putin’s Russia in a really profound way.

Nicole grabbed seats for us to this film, and as I joined her the film started and we were walked through a final rehearsal of Pussy Riot’s punk performance number 4 - the one that led them to become a worldwide name and symbol for feminist and secular protest. Making a stand against the links between Russian government and the church, they have been thrown into prison for what really was a misdemeanor. A gross misplacement of their human rights.

The doco provides a really good look at the purpose of feminist punk movement that is Pussy Riot, and their acts – including the performance on the alter of the Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, and their subsequent arrests and court trial for hooliganism.

With colourful balaclavas and punk music, this extensive group of girls have performed some pretty poignant protests, for which just three had been caught and charged.

The girl's families were interviewed during the documentary, with some compelling moments of pride and justification, as well as raw shock, shown. But the impact of the legal process and media attention on them all was clear.

It also takes you, the viewer, through their trial and allows you to see Nadia, Masha and Katia stand up for their rights, and what they believe in, in such a measured, intelligent and strong way in the face of the court and the media.

Despite the shock of seeing them perform on the alter like they did, the message and strength in their voice and convictions was impressive and powerful. Kill All Sexists, indeed!

Mistaken For Strangers
A doco by Matt Berninger from The National's brother Tom as he accompanies the band on their Europe and US tour for High Violet. Tagging along as a roadie, he takes his amateur filmmaking as a much more serious role on the road.

Rather than a film about the band’s tour, it was more a study on a sibling relationship, with The National forming a background to it. Captured is the sibling rivalry, competition, and differences present despite growing up in the same environment, within the same cultural conditions, and knowing the things each other knows, between the Berninger brothers. Seeing one brother’s struggles, and the other brother’s desire for the other to do well.

Of course, the other 2 sets of brothers that make up The National featured also, but really they were a comical prop in the story of Tom.

As a fan of the band it was electric to see footage of their live gigs peppered through the documentary. Goosebumps as Matt does his crowd-walking. Excitement as they tested out a new track, which we are now devouring in their new release this year. So interesting to see the waves of emotion from the band members before and after being on stage, and also the processes of such a tour.

It’s funny and raw and so utterly revealing. A brave release for both brothers, and as a The National fan it made me like Matt even more!

Alone, Wadjda, and The Past

The next three MIFF sessions for me were beautiful stories about people in such different parts of the world, facing challenges. Reading subtitles whilst listening to conversations between characters in Mandarin, Arabic and French, these stories were so rich in place. I moved between the Forum and Greater Union for these at the end of last week.

Alone is the tale about three young girls essentially living on their own in a rural mountain village in the hillside of China. Their mother has left, and their father works in the city and returns when he can – otherwise the oldest, the ten year old, is essentially in charge, and also completes the chores such as cooking, and washing the clothes and bathing her siblings.

Their gruff aunt lives nearby, and the girls spend some of their day there completing chores, or working the fields and managing the livestock for this extended family. But essentially, they are on their own in this sparse village.

A simple look into their life, the camera rolls as they go through their days, as they play and play fight, and wait their father’s return from work on his rare visits.

I booked Wadjda after both Jenny and Jessie went to the first screening of it for the Festival, and raved! Touted as the first film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, and also directed by a women, this story centres around a feisty, cheeky teenage girl who struggles with the restrictions of her culture and gender – and just wants to play, be a kid, and take on her friend in a bicycle race! Girls don’t ride bikes though, and Wadjda also struggles with the rules placed on her as a girl, and the need to remain out of sight of men and also with her clothing requirements.

Wadjda decides to find a way to buy her own bike so she can race her friend, and her manipulative bargaining with the adults in her life raise some funds. She then also hears about a school competition, with a monetary prize, for reciting the Qur’an and answering randomised questions based on it. Whilst not a studious pupil, usually told off for her lack of application and pronunciation, Wadjda sets her mind to this, doggedly.

It’s a heartfelt, beautiful story with an amazing lead in the role of Wadjda, and easily one of my picks from MIFF for this year of my 13.

A follow on from Oscar winner A Separation a few years ago, The Past brings a complicated, blended family in many levels of emotional turmoil to the screen. I am kicking myself for not seeing A Separation beforehand now, as this has given me the next chapter for the characters from that film, set some years forward and beginning with the need for Marie and Ahmed to finalise their divorce.

Ahmed’s presence within the home raise tensions and jealousies for Marie’s new relationship with Samir, and Ahmed’s father role to Marie’s two children picks up from where it left off when they were together. Add into the mix her new partner’s young son, and the pain he carries from the mysterious and unexplained absence of his own mother. So many elements, so well told and played out.

The layers of pain for each family member are unravelled as Ahmed’s stay goes on, with secrets and teenage guilt, and subsequent rash actions and their impact are pieced together. The shocking and emotional implications are then compounded by further details about Samir’s wife’s whereabouts and the sequence of events beforehand.

A film with many intricacies which left me thinking about it for days, this one also rates in my top 3 picks of the Festival.

Speaking of MIFF, I wrote a guest post talking about the Festival for the uninitiated - you can read it here over on The Aussie Word.

In Guns, Narco Cultura, and Blackbird

Another short pulled me into a Melbourne International Film Festival session for Tuesday night, which turned out to be the 12 minute piece before the full length Narco Cultura. Oops! Ha!

In Guns We Trust was a vignette about Kennasaw, the US town in Georgia, where a law was passed that stated that every head of a household must have a firearm. Talk of the Second Amendment and the right to hold arms, and the right to defend your family was voiced. Thomas Jefferson’s assertion that every American should have the means to overthrow the government, their “right to revolution” was thrown in…wow. Also crime statistics were touted, as reportedly dropped since the introduction of the law, claiming to be a place of one of the lowest crime rates in America.

They did not, however, mention how many accidental deaths or injuries were sustained by gunshots within the town during the same period, which would have helped with a more balanced view in my passivist mind!

The film was mainly black and white stills, with a clever use of movement within a picture, on occasion. Confronting for this Aussie in the audience was the images of children firing weapons at a firing range – an abhorrent scene within the context of our country’s careful gun control.

Set in Juarez, Mexico, Narco Cultura depicts the current violent murder capital of the world, the drug wars and also the music movement coming from this dark and scary element happening in these parts. Graphic images of the murdered are confronting and shocking, as we follow the crime scene investigators going about their jobs and responding to the horrific volume of deaths in the streets of this small city – just across the border from the most peaceful and safe American city of El Paso, Texas. We hear of the fear, and also the pain of the families of those often in the wrong place at the wrong time. We follow as this team of investigators deal with their very real concerns of being targets themselves, the underground corruption impacting their work, and then of the powers behind the killings. The money, the drugs, and the current most wanted man in the world.

Out of all this horror and pain, there are rappers producing music about the violence – and it is becoming a musical movement sweeping Central and Northern America, with an astounding popularity. “We will be the next Hip Hop”, one artist tells the audience, as lyrics tell of murder, methods, weapons and hero statuses are sung, preformed, and worshipped. We see packed out concerts and fans excited to see their musical heros. All emulating the killings in such graphic ways.

Disturbing on so many levels, this film stuns with the very real and frightening state of this town, and this music movement.

Blackbird is a film which would rank within my top 5 so far for the Festival, which was a Wednesday morning session at ACMI. Set in Canada, it’s a story about a misfit teen dumped into a small town to live with his father, after being rejected by his mother and her new husband. A self-proclaimed goth, he is unpopular and a target for bullying; but develops a strong friendship and growing romance with one of the most popular girls at school.

The usual teenage difficulties proceed, leading to a point where Sean is threaten by his new friend’s boyfriend, and makes an equal threat in return over an online chat with her later than night. The difference is that his was made in a format that was recorded, such is our online lives these days. He also made mention of having the means to do it, in relation to the collection of firearms his father kept at their home.

This online chat throw-away threat is then used to accuse Sean of plotting a school massacre in the post-Columbine North American fear, and amazingly he is sent to juvenile detention centre to await a formal trial for these charges. Here, his awkward misfit ways are a target for the violent inmates he is thrown in with, and this becomes the most dangerous of situations for him.

The acting performance and script leads you the viewer to completely sympathise with Sean, a victim of fear and circumstance. The portrayal and evolution of Sean and his father’s relationship throughout the film is a powerful side story, adding to emotion of the story, and added depth to the movie.

In Guns… mentioned the old turn of phrase that guns don’t kill people, that people kill each other, and that is of course true – people with guns! These three stories on film show this, from several different angles.

Black Balloon, New World and Good Vibrations

That time of year has descended on Melbourne again, where I have a eMini Pass for the Melbourne International Film Festival and am running from cinema to cinema in between other life commitments, to see as many films as possible. I am doing quite well so far, and may in fact see all 13 that the Pass provides! Loving it!

Up first the synopsis of The Black Balloon had pulled me in to book Saturday night’s session, which turned out to be the short to a longer movie feature. Nevertheless The Black Balloon was a short about loneliness in a big city, as it followed the path of a floating and free balloon in NYC, and it’s encounters of people along the way. An amazing amount of people befriended this balloon which crossed their path and seemed to follow them along for a little while, speaking to it, telling it all sorts of personal secrets and walking along with it as their companion. A brief encounter with an inanimate object seemed the closest some of these people had had for a friend in some time. I had actually pictured a whimsical trail through skyscrapers and Central Park, and along the iconic landmark of the city – alas it as more Hoboken than Manhattan… The final scene of freedom was the highlight for me, and for the black balloon!

Marvin, Seth and Stanley was the main feature of this booking, about a father and his two grown sons going on a fishing trip together in rural USA. Themes here were around the lack of communication between men, misunderstandings despite the long family history and bond, and each one’s personal issues and their impact on their demeanour towards others. Each unlikable people to be fair, it was a sad tale about the state of some families and the burdens and troubles people carry with them.

Back to cinema darkness on Monday night, Jenny and I saw The New World, which to date is probably my third favourite film of the Festival so far. A story about Mirta, a cleaner in an asylum seeker processing centre in the Netherlands, who is also a single mother battling her own grief and pain and struggles with her life. West African Luc arrives to be processed, with no papers and a heartbreaking story of loss and fear, and despite Mirta’s often quick judgements on new arrivals, something sparks between the two of them, each having a strong impact on the other. It’s a beautiful story, told in a way where there are gaps in her story left for you to fill in yourself. The acting and music are well done, in that as an audience member I felt her very real symptoms of anxiety at one point, and the moments of joy and care between this friendship that is formed. It’s heartwarming, and sad. Luc’s story is powerful, as powerful as an example of the dire circumstances of fleeing your homeland, and the journey and mental toll that takes. There is a moment when Luc is first processed and his photo is taken, where he shifts for a side view, and the officer says, no no “you are not a criminal”. Indeed.

With so much made of the refugee issue and dastardly politicalised platform it has become in Australia, it was humbling to know that these very personal stories are happening the world over. And that they are very individual and yet similar no matter where the asylum seeker has fled from.

Good Vibrations will easily be my pick of best movie for the Festival, and indeed film I will see for some time. I left this later screening with such joy in my heart, and a renewed love of all things music. Set in Belfast in the peak of The Troubles, Terri Hooley opens a record store in one of the most bombed streets in the city at the time. His love of music and the terror all around him collide, and he becomes an icon of hope for youth in the middle of those times – watching him discover the underground music scene just after starting his shop moves the soul of any music lover. He then works on recording some of the bands he discovers, and thus The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts are released on his tiny label, produced from the record store.

Moments where he first hears the recorded track of one of these bands is one of the greatest scenes I have seen and felt for a very long time, in addition to the excitement of hearing Teenage Kicks played by John Peel on the BBC Radio National the first time, and the pinnacle gig to close out the film – I already want to see this movie again! The meeting of his future wife in the film is gorgeous, although the pain of the turmoil of the relationship throughout the film is heartbreaking, as Terri’s love of music and the live scene consumes him. An amazing biopic of an incredible man and spirit, it’s funny and witty, and a film for every music fan.

I have been raving about Good Vibrations since walking out of the cinema at Greater Union, and am telling people to see it! It screens again next Saturday!

Bully and I Am Eleven

Continuing to construct my own movie festival, given that I missed MIFF whilst I was away in Toronto, I managed to see one that was listed for this year that I would definitely have seen, on the flight home!

Bully is a documentary which follows the plight of five children bullied at school, on the bus to and from school, and after school. It's harrowing, emotional, and everyone should see this.

Several children tell us about the taunts and acts they receive relentlessly at school. They tell us of how they suffer, and how they contemplate ways out, including wanting to die. One family tell us how their son did just that. Hung himself as a result of the pain he experienced from bullying. His best mate tells of the pain of watching his mate struggle, and then his loss.

The very real fact that kids are taking their own lives as a result of this treatment by other kids at school, and after school, is here to take in and process. The flight of parents to have schools do something about it is heartbreaking and devastating.

A powerful film.

Along with my recently returned status, I am unemployed, which means I am free after my classes on a Wednesday, which is bliss! No hurrying back to work. So, after spending some time in the library I hit Nova Cinema for a movie.

I Am Eleven is by a Melbourne documentarian, and a MIFF movie that I missed on my schedule last year.

The narrator starts the film by telling us about her life at the time she started making the film, which was after learning about the devastating tsunami in Asia, and the loss of her father. She tells us that she set off travelling for a year, and wanted to film some of the meetings with people she had. But then she wanted to capture people at the age she herself was most happiest, which was when she was 11.

Being 11, as she and many of her subjects state, is that middle ground between being a child and being teenager. That awkward time, but as each young person share their thoughts, it is clear that this is an age of innocence and naivety, and yet wisdom and humanity.

Children from France to India, Morocco to Bulgaria, America to Japan, Australia to Thailand share their thoughts on love, war, their experiences of bullying, family, and their hopes and dreams for the future. They share their status as students, workers, carers and kids.

Quite like the 7 Up series, Genevieve returns to film many of the children a couple of years later, to check in with their progress towards their dreams and goals.

This film is beautiful, leveling and a carrier of hope about the next generation!

Moonrise Kingdom and Dusted at Amsterdam

An outdoor movie, with the view of the CN Tower, out on a barmy Toronto evening sounded perfect to me. The fact that this was held at a brewery, with a band to start the evening and a food truck serving dinner sounded amazing!

Natalie and I ventured down after work, and grabbed the wares from the Sky Blue Sky toasted sandwiches for dinner, and a beer, and found our seats.

Just as the sun was disappearing, and the lights started up on the CN Tower, the band of the evening, Dusted, started their indie funk set. Whilst the sound was not crisp enough to hear them properly, their energy set the mood for the night as the crowd gathered. The food was delicious!

The irony of having to line up just before the movie was about to start, with the rest of the crowd, to get a beer from the only two working taps was not lost on anyone. I had to listen to a group of people debate how many beers they could carry, how many beers they would need, and how many tokens they had whilst the opening narration of the movie began. Shame.

But once settled back into my seat, I could get into the film, and it was lovely! The story of two mis-fit teens who meet, strike up a penpal relationship, and plot to run away together. A quirky, awkward teen love story - so cute!

This is a movie I would have seen at MIFF and continues my attempt to fill my movie list despite being on the other side of the world!

Constructing MIFF in Toronto

People in Melbourne are currently planning out their Melbourne International Film Festival sessions, with tickets going on sale yesterday. This is one of my favourite things about Melbourne during the Winter, and gives me a momentary pang of homesickness that I will miss it this year. I will also be heading home before the Toronto Film Festival is on, so I will miss that one too!

I saw Marley, thinking that it would be included in the Festival as it had been one of the docos for the Sydney Film Festival. It's not part of the MIFF list after all, but it is an amazing documentary worth seeing. Working through the life, beginnings and the rise of the music of Bob Marley, in addition to the story of his life and loves, his finding of religion and his activism, it features very frank interviews of those close to him, and spine-tingling footage of his liver performances. Such a treat to see these!

The tragedy of a man in his prime, struck down with a cancer that was essentially untreated....the pain in his daughter's interview here is heartbreaking. A toe! Ignored! So, so sad!

This photo of Toronto street art was taken at the bus station at Bathurst Station.

Beasts of the Southern Wild is on the festival schedule, and I happened to see it with Tanya as a preview screening here in Toronto. This is a stunningly shot film about Hushpuppy and her relationship with her father and their home. The story is narrated by the amazing Quvenzhané Wallis's Hushpuppy, and the view is through her eyes - hand-held camera at times, and all.

Cute and quirky, magical, sad and heartbreaking all at once, this is a film that stays with you long after the credits finish rolling.

Safety Not Guaranteed is also part of MIFF, which is pretty exciting cos I have been recommending it to everyone since seeing a preview screening. I have one other MIFF listed film lined up for next month here in Toronto, which I am also looking forward to. But I will have to keep my eye out for any other releases from my would-be MIFF list!

Melancholia and Ides of March

Last Saturday I spend the day in the cinema at Nova in Carlton, soaking in some pre-Oscar period movies. I also managed to see one of the MIFF movies I missed back in July, which was my favourite of my movie double day.

Melancholia is visually stunning, and a movie that gives you a glimpse and a feel for depression (Part 1) and anxiety (Part 2). Most of it is filmed by hand-held cameras, giving you a giddy feeling, and a headache at the end. A full biopsychosocial experience! It takes a lot of a film to make you feel the emotions of it's characters fully, but this pulls you in, and leaves you in a total psychological funk! Powerful cinema!

Kirsten Dunst is brilliant, and portrays a person moving through life with the weight of depression beautifully. Part 1 is her wedding, and one of the most lavish and gorgeous weddings...but her depression just won't play ball with everyone wanting her to be happy. It just doesn't work like that!

In Part 2, Kiefer Sullivan shines, as his wife, and Kirsten's character's sister, moves through the anxiety of pending doom - an approaching planet on track to maybe hit Earth. The visuals of this planet are amazing, and totally drawing...but the panic and anxiety of sister Claire is infectious. So well done.

The draw of this very visually pulling planet is contrast by the fear of Claire, and then when husband John makes his admission and acts upon his fear, the film is gripping. Kirsten's depressed Justine is seemingly unaffected, as depression burdens.

A great film. And as someone who works in mental health, such a strong and emotive portrayal.

My second movie was one of the George Clooney films that are currently on our screens - the political Ides of March, with Ryan Gosling. With the campaigning happening in the US right now, this movie highlighted to me that I have no clue about American politics!

A young main staffer on a presidential candidate's team moving into the primaries. The twists and turns of dirty politics, and of trying to uphold ethics in a world of saving face, political strategy, and dark secrets.

Clooney as Director allows his candidate character to preach some inspired stances and political platforms, which were to my liking! Love Clooney!

Die In Oregon, Innocent Saturday and Life In A Day

Back to the Melbourne International Film Festival, and my movie selections, my next film on my schedule was the documentary How To Die In Oregon. Following several personal stories of the choice provided to palliative patients by the legalisation of physician-assisted suicide in the US state of Oregon. The important message from each person’s story was that this afforded them a choice about their end, in contrast to the lack of control their life ending disease had bestowed upon them. Cody’s journey was the most powerful, and prominent, throughout the doco, and was so very moving. Cody’s medical answers, prognosis and then working through the option of having her end point decided, and also how this was discussed and prepared for with her young family. But the film also showed the fight for the spread of this legislation across the US, and also the plight of the volunteers who support people to end their lives through a lethal dose of a prescribed medication at a time they chose and prepared for. The ability to plan, to leave things finalised, and also to say goodbyes were the other clear advantages of such decriminalisation, and this documentary was a strong advocate for such a progressive and yet reasonable option.

On this particular evening, I skipped my late night movie, which was to be Michael, cos I was so over-tired from my Splendour weekend, and knew I could not have got through a sub-titled movie about paedophilia, and still be able to drive home to Ballarat. Turns out this movie won the award for TeleScope Award for Best New Talent from the EU for this year. A bummer to miss it.

Innocent Saturday was a Russian movie about the day the Chernobyl reactor had it’s meltdown, and about one young Communist party member who overhears about it, and tries to escape – with his downfall being that he tried to help at least one other person do the same. Convincing a girl he clearly lusted after to flee with him, our protagonist finds himself being pulled into the most unexpected activities, considering his plight to avoid nuclear radiation exposure in their little town. Pulled into a shopping trip after missing the train, for shoes of course, his girl then decides she needs to try and get her passport for their escape…but is dragged onstage with her band to play a gig for a triple wedding, paid for in advance. The infectious festivities, and then the lure of a wine-fuelled gathering with the band and old mates, often has the pending disaster forgotten. A film about real life carrying on regardless of such global events, and the notion of knowing about something ominous and how one person could convince other’s of catastrophe and their need for action.

On 24th July 2010 people all over the world answered the call to submit video footage to You Tube, for Life In A Day. This film wove this footage together to create an international snapshot of real life that day, all over the globe – from a wedding service where a couple had written each others vowels, to a father-to-be fainting as he video-ed his child coming into the world, to the full moon from every corner of the world. People going to work, looking after their child, mourning loss, telling their grandmother of their sexuality, of calling their mother for advice about how to tell a girl you love her. Vision from ordinary people, some commenting on questions posed in the task, capturing our world. No narration, this movie was funny and moving, and ultimately life affirming.

So, just 6 movies for this MIFF, but actually all very good, and 3 excellent films that I totally recommend (being Face To Face, How To Die, and Life In A Day).

Swerve, Norwegian Wood, and Face To Face

Having missed a total of 5 Melbourne International Film Festival sessions because of my missed flight/delayed boat, I finally got to my first movie on the Monday after the cruise. MIFF continues to be one of the best things about Melbourne in Winter!

Swerve caught my eye in the Aussie Showcase section, when booking up my 10 plus 3 sessions for my e-mini Pass this year, with the Aussie actor who featured in the final season of ER (David Lyons). Introduced by the producer and director, and bringing a couple of the actors to the mike for this intro, including Vince Colosimo, the energy and excitement for the film was pretty big! And big the film was - this movie has it all, from drug heist to Wolf Creek like moments, to train escapes and a heap of pretty amusing deaths. Set in outback Australia, in a small town where our protagonist gets stuck after going to report an accident....and finds himself quickly entwined with the towns tangled community. Perhaps with too much in it, this film was fun and funny.

The next night after working in the Melbourne office to ensure I could get to my MIFF sessions (priorities!!), I saw back to back sessions, which also included the run from the Forum up the hill to the Greater Union complex. All part of the Festival!

Adapted from the book, the dreamy Norwegian Wood depicted Haruki Murakami's coming of age story. Beautiful cinematography from Mark Lee Ping Bin, of In the Mood for Love fame, added to the dreamy flow of the story and the character's journey through loss, love and depression.

One of my favourite films from this years viewing was next, being another Aussie movie, Face To Face. Based on 'actual case notes', it reads in the intro, this film depicts the attempt at resolving an assault by an employee on his employer, without involving the courts - so, through a face to face mediation-style session. Matthew Newton stars as the facilitator of this session, and is brilliant - perhaps there was some method acting training he was drawing on from his own brushes with the legal system.

Essentially, this gathering of employee, his mother and a friend for support, and then his employer, his wife, the foreman of the worksite, and a handful of other parties from his workplace, the aim is to talk it out, and come to a solution. But, as Aussie culture and workplaces are, there is so much bubbling under the surface that is gradually revealed, that our facilitator seems at times to be out of his depth...and yet, manages to pull it back, and work through each crucial point. Racism, bullying, infidelity and the life backgrounds we all bring to our workplaces that impact our every day actions. It's going to be released in limited cinemas in a month, and I recommend it! A great, and powerful movie about the undercurrents impacting on our society.

Paparazzo and Phillip Morris

My final 2 MIFF sessions for the year, having missed just 2 scheduled sessions (oh, and the tough-to-get-to ones in the middle of the day on weekdays) for the festival, were both movies Jenny and I had in common. I drove down for both of them, and dinner and drinks to catch up with Jenny, plus Kate for the first.

Adrian Grenier's directoral debut, Teenage Paparrazo was one of them. A doco around the life of 13 year old Austin, who Grenier spotted one day in the throng of lens pointed at him. He meets, follows and joins this kid out on late night stake-outs, following tip offs all over Hollywood. A glimpse into this boy's life, his mother's take on it all, the impact turning the lens on the people in this line of work, and Grenier trying to get a handle on the world's facination with celebrity, to the point that this kid makes a living out of it. A great insight, and a facinating piece of reflection by the actor who plays a movie star!

I Love You Phillip Morris was the final session, where Jenny and I got to enjoy our love of Jim Carrey together. A conman, breaking hearts, Jim's character meets Ewan McGregor's Phillip Morris - a sweet, innocent lad, a destined match...made for jail, as it turns out. Ewan is breathtaking in this, and surely deserving of some award joy, given the portrayal so different from any other role he has played.

*Reviews not as in depth as desired, due to the length of time since viewing!

Lions, Messenger and Wedding Party

My next installments for MIFF were each so varied...

Four Lions takes terrorism and jihads to a comical, scarily realistic level. A film about 4 guys in London who are preparing an attack - the plotting, the preparation, and the bumbling! This movie had the packed cinema laughing out loud almost constantly, with the comedy of errors these wanna-be suicide-bombers commit. A funny look on the very real paranoia that encompasses our world now, with a humanistic view of the other side of the story.

On the middle Saturday morning of the Festival, I went into town to see The Messenger, with Woody Harrelson. A harrowing story about the US Army's delivery of bad news to the families at home. So worth seeing, but leaves you with a fog of reality.

One of the most hyped movies of the festival was The Wedding Party, an Aussie premier. An ensemble cast of Aussie actors, old and upcoming, the collection of subplots lacked a bit of punch for me, and seemed to be just another dyfunctional family story. My highlight was probably hearing 'Nostravia', and the Russian shots of vodka, due to my recent travels!

*Reviews not as in depth as desired, due to the length of time since viewing!

Ghost Writer, Clinic, and Dad

I had so much anticipation with the build up for this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, just because there is always such great, fresh films on display, you feel part of this intensely absorbed community who also trek from one session to the next, and it's one of the best things about Melbourne in winter!

The first of my sessions this year was the new Roman Polanski, starring Ewan McGregor - The Ghost Writer. A political thriller about a writer employed to take over as ghost writer for the British PM's memoirs...after the tragic demise of the first one. Ewan is great in this role, and the twists and turns have your gripped. The final scene leaves you stunned!

A later night screening of a new Aussie film, The Clinic, was next on my schedule, and rattled me! Sign of a good film, if you walk out a little shaken! A story about a young pregnant woman who is kidnapped from the hotel she and her husband are staying in, she wakes in an ice bath with a scar across her belly. She soon finds that she is not the only woman in the rundown farm in the middle of nowhere...and soon the purpose of the makeshift clinic is made clear, and the frights begin! My own clinical knowledge had me disappointed with the portrayal of an Autistic man, but for the purposes of the story and the clear need for some assistance for these scared women, this gaff was overshadowed by the blows and the horror. Loved the ending, with a quote within the lasting frames 'Evolution is a bitch!'

Robin Williams in World's Greatest Dad was my next film, and another disturbing tale. This one directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, which may explain the black, black humour. Laugh out loud moments, inappropriate laughs most of the time, and yet a powerful message about acceptance and fitting in. Dad here is a teacher, and calls on Hemingway at one point, and then points about 'although he did try and scratch an itch at the back of his head with a shotgun'.

*Reviews not as in depth as desired, due to the length of time since viewing!

Che

Right from the opening image, his black army boot, up to his lit cigar with smoke floating about, to that wiry and distinct black beard, Benico was everything that was the iconic man, Che. Lynn and I meet at Nova yesterday for the Guevara feast that is Che Part 1: The Argentine and Part 2: Guerrilla.

With that opening scene, I whispered to Lynn that I'd loved it already!

I was to see this for MIFF in August, but life got in the way. Having heard mixed reviews about it, Lynn and I had a pre-movie marathon coffee and discussed our low expectations. Although both acknowledging that our Cuban travels would outweigh anything average about the two movies, and then Del Toro can really do no wrong!

Part 1 was really the highlight for me, which was Cuba. A film to totally sweep you up in the man, his ethics and humanity, and his plight. Jumping around a bit to give you the history lesson that goes with the story of the Cuban Revolution, the UN Assembly speech is particularly strong. But it's the doctor and the man that it totally enchanting....treating his wounded men, and the peasants and their families, setting an example for his troops, and his high personal standards....amazing.

But then the scenes taking him wheezing through the jungle, with his asthma, are just heart breaking, and warming all at once. The politics, and how Che came to be Fidel's right hand man, is so impressive. Soderberg had the tension build, and build, and build, and even knowing where it was going, and how the fight would end, this film caught all the romanticism that is Che and Cuba's triumph.

A movie marathon break between the two films, Lynn and I walked across Lygon Street to Tiamo Cafe, and put the staff on a challange to serve us red wine and pizza in our strict schedule....with success.

Part 2 skipped forward to Che smuggling himself into Bolivia, training his army, and working on gaining the same political freedom he had won for Cuba to his homeland. This half is perhaps where the bad reviews about too much time walking through the jungle, which didn't necessary bother me, although unlike the first, it was a little tougher to keep each character straight in my head. It may also have been the wine, and the 5 hours of beautiful, young and then aging, Benico!

The complete movie Che, in 2 parts, has only increased my love of Cuba, and makes me want to return as soon as possible! The admiration of Che, the Revolution, and Cuba has been stirred and fed again!

The heartbreak of his death, knowing, again, where we were heading, but then still being stunned by seeing it play out in front of us. I don't know how accurate the final scenes are, and I had thought they weren't sure how it all ended (and it took an age to locate and return his body to rest in Santa Clara in the heart of Cuba), but I will never get that image of his execuation out of my head. And the irony of his body being airlifted out by an American helicoper, after all the fight for the greater freedom. The sadness!

Inglourious Basterds and Pippa Lee

After watching the footy beemed into our lounge room, and watching the Hawks be overrun and out played by an impresive St Kilda, I eventually headed into town for my very late night MIFF session. Having missed gaining a ticket to the first 2 sessions listed for this film, it was added as an additional session, and I managed to score a seat!

Joining the line around the corner at Greater Union for the 10.45pm session, the lines were completing headline movies, but I was in to see Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino was a guest of the Festival this year, and had captured much attention for this film.

Starring Brad Pitt, the film opens in Nazi Germany, with a Jew Hunter seeking out a hidden family. One escapes just in time, and is later found set up in France, running her own cinema. She soon finds herself in the affections of a war hero, who's heroics are to be premiered in a film - which he decides should be shown at her little establishment. The film premier grows as a German national pride moment, and she finds that the Fuher himself is to attend.

Meanwhile, Brad's character has bound together a team of US soldiers to spread fear amoung the Nazi regime. Scalping and crazy accents ensue this rabble team's work, along with the humour and layers of a Tarantino.

Such a great film! Very impressive, as only Tarantino can be!

My final MIFF movie was another one that Jenny and I had in common, and we met at seats in the cinema at Greater Union tonight. The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee stars Robyn Wright-Penn, and tracks the life of Pippa Lee as she reflects on her relationships, decisions, and how it is she has ended up with a frail husband and living in a retirement village, as a middle aged woman.

Unfortunately, the sound dropped out of our screening on a couple of occasions, showing up the wrath of perhaps over-movied Festival patrons! This drop did occur for the second time right at the point where Keanu Reeves character started his monolouge telling us about his life thus far...and was not recovered for us.

Blessed and Home Movie

After taking Mum out to breakfast for her birthday, to Piper's by the still very dry Lake Wendouree, I returned to Melbourne and to work, before taking up my next MIFF movies.

I made my way to Greater Union in time to hear the introduction to another premier Aussie film of the festival, Blessed, by the Director Ana Kokkinos. Adapted from the play Who's Afraid Of The Working Class? this film is played out in two parts, the first being the plight of the children. Kids on the streets, runaways, kids looking for trouble and finding it, kids just experiencing the hurt that life can deliver.

The next half is told of these children's mothers, and their experiences. From gambling addiction, abusive or inappropriate relationships, no good, thieving husbands, to the battles of Social Services and being totally down on all luck. Boasting performances from Deborra-Lee Furness, Miranda Otto, and Tasma Walton - and the Footscray area in all it's glory!

Another film that shows the Aussie film making talent and all it's potential, and funded by the MIFF Premiere Fund. The blows at the end of this film are full on, and leave you reeling. To the point that I called my Mum as I was leaving the cinema to tell her that I love her!

After popping home briefly, I made my way back into town and to Greater Union for my late night viewing of Home Movie. Under the Horror genre, this movie is a film debut by the Director, and an unsettling picture of home life!

Shot on handheld cameras, this little film shows that not all is right with the 10 year twins of the couple shotting their home movies. The denial and hope shown by the Pastor and the Child Psychologist, as they deal with the escalating unfolding behaviour by their two offspring is well played - the stunning blow of the crusified cat on Christmas morning is priceless!

An awesome premise, this film doesn't quite get to the peek of it's potential, but is amusing and emotion-stirring nonetheless. The ending had been built up in the synopsis, and didn't have the impact it promised.

Awaydays, Loved Ones and Hurt Locker

After a quick mid week beer, I made my way up to the other end of town, to the Kino for my next MIFF movie. A sold out session, I found my way in and joined the male dominated audience for Awaydays.

Set in 1975 northern England, this film follows one lad's desire to get involved in the gang of misfit boys who travel to soccer match destinations...not for the match, but for the brawl with the opposition, usually carried out right there in the train station shortly after arrival.

Great punchy Brit soundtrack, this violent look into the soccer hooligan world was an uncomfortable and frank depiction. Reminded me of Fight Club, without the reasoning! I will never look at a stanley knife the same again!

Tonight, I have had a back to back movie sessions, with two amazing, hits to the chest, films. The Loved Ones was introduced to the sold out session by the young Tasmanian director, Sean Byrne, in it's world premier. Many of the cast were in the screening, and the crowd was excited to see this fresh new film.

Opening with a uncomfortable, awkward scene, I was worried about where this was going. Neither actor in the opening scene was convincing, and it was a shaky start...luckily the only one for the film, because the rest of the movie had the audience laughing, cheering, cringing and crying out in shocked horror!

The synopsis had not eluded to the horror in this little Aussie treasure, but the graphic scenario played out as the alternate version of the end of school dance for Brent is sadistic, chilling, and sickly funny. Having stakes driven into his feet, this boy finds himself at a little party of 4 away from the actual dance A movie that has you bracing yourself for the next blow, and amused at the twists. The graphic scenes of cannibalism and use of a hand drill, and also the compound fracture in the closing scenes are ones that will stay with me for weeks....

Walking from The Forum up the hill to Greater Union, spotting Rush being filmed on the way, and running into fellow MIFFers, Jenny and Mary between sessions, I grabbed my seat at my next film, The Hurt Locker.

A film about a specialist US Army bomb squad in Iraq, the story takes us through the banter and camaraderie of the lads, to the very real mission that this group does every hour, and every day. The first shock is delivered by the demise of a strange Guy Pearce cameo, bringing to reality the life and death situation.

The differences in approach to their mission, the impact of their everyday experience, the fear and the psychological effects, and even the reverse culture shock when returning home, is captured in this film. It had the full cinema laughing along with the lads, as boys are boys, and then reeling in shock at the harsh reality of the war going on in Iraq and the danger the soliders are in, everyday. The impossible situations, the tension and horror, the anxiety...so real, transcended from the screen. A movie to leave you with shell shock, and the lasting feeling of waste that is occuring over there, right now.