THE SECRET GARDEN
Watchable. Having seen the trailer, I expected a brighter adaptation, even more magical. The movie turns out to be all gloom. Still, even within this steadily despondent atmosphere, it makes use of changing light several times, an eruption of colours when all flowers blossom or deepened darkness of the estate, all accompanied by music setting the mood. The beginning stresses the time of unrest just before the split of the colony into India and Pakistan as well as the cholera epidemic which resonates both with current civil upheavals and, even more so, with the Covid pandemic. But that, once the tone is set, gives way to the aristocratic cold upbringing where the girl's British life on the moors mixes with her memories of life with parents - most notably a depressed mother, which adds to the moroseness of the situation. The film is relatively slow-paced, at the same time skimming the literary original of its complexity. I think the duration of the movie could have been used better. On the other hand, I enjoyed the fact the film is deeply rooted in British values: not only the love of gardens but also that specific grit and resolve characterizing the English when faced with hardships. Lovely, perfectly matching music ends in the final song over the end credits, "The Secret Garden" by Aurora. Atmospheric but sombre and depressing.
17TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FESTIVAL - THE FREE ONLINE PART
CUNNINGHAM
Watchable. Impressive contemporary dance choreographies and no story to speak of. The only line distinguishing it from other dance documentaries is that when you dance "you work with material which deteriorates in time." That's not delved into. Instead it covers the inter-human relations within the dance company too much - who cares? Admirable dancing is the main attraction. Colourful tightly-fitting uniforms increase your awareness of the dancers' postures and moves and those are extraordinary at times.
The screening had loud original dialogues and visible Polish subtitles at hand too.
LASSEMAJAS DETEKTIVBYRA - TAGRANARENS HEMLIGHET
Watchable. Another kids' flick in the series. The plot's very naive, adults are silly and even the criminal good-natured. I've seen better even within this franchise. In Poland, it's available only dubbed in Polish.
Reviewed from an online screener, cinematic reception might differ.
No comments:
Post a Comment