15TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
KOLYMA - ROAD OF BONES
Watchable. The place of former gulags (labour camps) where nowadays Donetsk refugees are relocated to their amusement. Most inhabitants however claim it their home - poor but theirs. The film succeeds in presenting differing views on the past. 80% of prisoners were genuine criminals and they get their say too. The area is not as gruesome as it appears to the Polish/German documentalist. After all, like one of the interviewees notices, the whole world is built on ashes. The film shows also the climate e.g. frozen foods dealt in a market and its peculiar inhabitants. It gives too much space to those quirky individuals.
LAND OF THE FREE
Watchable. It's an engulfing and intimate portrait of 3 ex-convicts and their families, yet it doesn't break the ground. Apparently 3 out of 4 ex-cons in LA reoffend and it's a huge problem in the US. One interesting detail is a convict's girlfriend wearing "S" like in "Superman" in a brief scene - she truly is a superwoman sorting all daily life issues as she can't rely on him even when he's free. A very pleasant watching without anything you wouldn't have known or expected already. However, the project's going to continue for another 12 years and I'd love to find out how life works out for the protagonists over time. Hoping to see the sequel in the future.
GENERATION WEALTH
Recommended. Worth seeing at least for the astounding excess the rich live in. Fascinating stories are there too. And a chance to see pictures of Kate Hudson and Kim Kardashian when they were 12 and bragging about their parents' wealth and status. It states affluenza occurs where traditional culture is lost. Then money gives a new life direction.
SCORE: A FILM MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
Recommended. Makes you very emotional as it plays all the most famous tracks of the greatest movie score composers including my personal number one - John Williams - as well as Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman and a number of others. John Williams calls his simple yet catchy notes the grammar of the movie. You learn that Hans Zimmer played the keyboard in the "Video Killed the Radio Star" video. I'm sure now I'm going to listen to movies more. John Cameron's talking about the "Titanic" score over the credits.
ANOTE'S ARK
Watchable. So much can be done to save the population of the sinking archipelago of Kiribati: huge Australia or vast New Zealand could take them in or a Japanese corporation could build an artificial archipelago. Unfortunately before President Anote managed to get any international commitment, a new party came into power in his homeland Kiribati and the policy got drowned in politics. Very informative yet the political layer is much more to the topic than the family story illustrating the great issue.
Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
15TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
DET RODE KAPEL (THE RED CHAPEL)
Watchable. I hate spastics used in movies in general and here it doesn't work either. The documentary reveals nothing about the country. The only piece of information new to me was that the North blames Americans for starting the Korean war while in reality it was their own encroachment on the South. You learn stuff only from the Danish commentary which isn't substantiated in the film. All you really see is the buildings and interiors looking like 50 years ago and hapless North Koreans struggling to make the Danish guests' performance less ridiculous. Speaks volumes about the Danish film-maker, not North Koreans.
A MODERN MAN
Watchable. About Charlie Siem - a world-renowned violin player and Armani model. He's timeless, representing monumental beauty and eternal music. He's perfectly professional, extremely focused, controlling each and every detail of his life and career since everything he's achieved has always been of his own doing. He lives like a prince - no friends, only servants and people he needs to manipulate when they call terms "unnegotiable". With his upper-class upbringing he wants to be in control. Everything has to be his way. He says he has no friends but he gets plenty of support from his family and colleagues. He's got plenty of people around him and irregular interactions with acquaintances. He puts no effort into relationships living in an emotional exile of his own choosing. He wants a flawless life and he's got it. An interesting insight into a very privileged life. Yet, the perfectionist seems just flat. He may appear lonely yet he isn't since he's strived for independence in his life. He has little connection to his inner emotions. He's put himself on display. A beautiful picture it is but with no substance. He mingles with the great - sits next to Dakota Johnson and Julianne Moore at a fashion show and his physiotherapist has got a 7-year-long queue. The latter fact isn't mentioned in the film, I heard it from the director later. The documentary is very good but feels one-dimensional just like the protagonist.
DET RODE KAPEL (THE RED CHAPEL)
Watchable. I hate spastics used in movies in general and here it doesn't work either. The documentary reveals nothing about the country. The only piece of information new to me was that the North blames Americans for starting the Korean war while in reality it was their own encroachment on the South. You learn stuff only from the Danish commentary which isn't substantiated in the film. All you really see is the buildings and interiors looking like 50 years ago and hapless North Koreans struggling to make the Danish guests' performance less ridiculous. Speaks volumes about the Danish film-maker, not North Koreans.
A MODERN MAN
Watchable. About Charlie Siem - a world-renowned violin player and Armani model. He's timeless, representing monumental beauty and eternal music. He's perfectly professional, extremely focused, controlling each and every detail of his life and career since everything he's achieved has always been of his own doing. He lives like a prince - no friends, only servants and people he needs to manipulate when they call terms "unnegotiable". With his upper-class upbringing he wants to be in control. Everything has to be his way. He says he has no friends but he gets plenty of support from his family and colleagues. He's got plenty of people around him and irregular interactions with acquaintances. He puts no effort into relationships living in an emotional exile of his own choosing. He wants a flawless life and he's got it. An interesting insight into a very privileged life. Yet, the perfectionist seems just flat. He may appear lonely yet he isn't since he's strived for independence in his life. He has little connection to his inner emotions. He's put himself on display. A beautiful picture it is but with no substance. He mingles with the great - sits next to Dakota Johnson and Julianne Moore at a fashion show and his physiotherapist has got a 7-year-long queue. The latter fact isn't mentioned in the film, I heard it from the director later. The documentary is very good but feels one-dimensional just like the protagonist.
Tuesday, 22 May 2018
15TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A.
Recommended. Starts with her saying she's "a terrorist's daughter" which grabs your attention immediately. You soon realise her father's a freedom fighter leading the Tamil Tigers - the only opposition the Sri Lankan dictatorship reckons with. Her uncle records rapes on women, some of whom are later ripped with grenades put in their vaginas to... conceal the traces of rape. The documentary, shot by Maya's school friend Steve, follows her from her arrival in the UK as a refugee, through the turning point when her protest song about the war back home had 1 million free Napster downloads which made her a star overnight. The video in which she repeats "I'm po-pu-lar" with a pout is amazing. The film features a lot of great music and Matangi's "bad dance moves" at home. She comes across as incredibly charismatic and talented, very headstrong. The movie proved to be a great hit among the festival audience.
In her home country the refugee hip hop star, currently residing in Britain, stays in all the time. Like she explained at the meeting after the screening that's because on the day of her arrival in Columbo, the capital, the 14 soldiers and police officers who had raped a woman at the main roundabout of the city, got acquitted of charges which resulted in mass protests. She was also harassed by uniformed men on a bus and was told by her mum to say no word or they'll end up killed in the jungle with no one knowing. She talked also about how years ago in the US she and her friend's tried to crash a Jay-Z's party. They actually got to his villa but turned back hearing women could enter only naked. Nowadays she's recording for his label. Another trivia she shared was that she had been growing up in admiration of Madonna as a strong woman and when she was invited by her to be her support at Super Bowl, for which the hip hop girl was paid $500, she felt appalled by how Madonna was pushed around by "those cowboys": "bend over!", "look here!" so she showed her middle finger to the cameras. Later she got sued for the gesture for... 16 million dollars. Looks like the case got dropped luckily. As for Napster, no hurt feelings, she used to use it too. With copyright she's "on people's side"
UNREST
Watchable. It proves chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), like it's called these days, exists. It actually disables people. In some cases after infections the germs stay in the body affecting the system so badly you can't walk farther than a few steps in the most severe cases. What's disturbing, since 85% are women, the condition's rarely taken seriously. In Scandinavia girls with the disease are typically taken away from families who are blamed for negligence and forcefully hospitalised. The documentary's shot by one of sufferers whose mild smile and 70s-style locks are quite annoying to look at.
MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A.
Recommended. Starts with her saying she's "a terrorist's daughter" which grabs your attention immediately. You soon realise her father's a freedom fighter leading the Tamil Tigers - the only opposition the Sri Lankan dictatorship reckons with. Her uncle records rapes on women, some of whom are later ripped with grenades put in their vaginas to... conceal the traces of rape. The documentary, shot by Maya's school friend Steve, follows her from her arrival in the UK as a refugee, through the turning point when her protest song about the war back home had 1 million free Napster downloads which made her a star overnight. The video in which she repeats "I'm po-pu-lar" with a pout is amazing. The film features a lot of great music and Matangi's "bad dance moves" at home. She comes across as incredibly charismatic and talented, very headstrong. The movie proved to be a great hit among the festival audience.
In her home country the refugee hip hop star, currently residing in Britain, stays in all the time. Like she explained at the meeting after the screening that's because on the day of her arrival in Columbo, the capital, the 14 soldiers and police officers who had raped a woman at the main roundabout of the city, got acquitted of charges which resulted in mass protests. She was also harassed by uniformed men on a bus and was told by her mum to say no word or they'll end up killed in the jungle with no one knowing. She talked also about how years ago in the US she and her friend's tried to crash a Jay-Z's party. They actually got to his villa but turned back hearing women could enter only naked. Nowadays she's recording for his label. Another trivia she shared was that she had been growing up in admiration of Madonna as a strong woman and when she was invited by her to be her support at Super Bowl, for which the hip hop girl was paid $500, she felt appalled by how Madonna was pushed around by "those cowboys": "bend over!", "look here!" so she showed her middle finger to the cameras. Later she got sued for the gesture for... 16 million dollars. Looks like the case got dropped luckily. As for Napster, no hurt feelings, she used to use it too. With copyright she's "on people's side"
UNREST
Watchable. It proves chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), like it's called these days, exists. It actually disables people. In some cases after infections the germs stay in the body affecting the system so badly you can't walk farther than a few steps in the most severe cases. What's disturbing, since 85% are women, the condition's rarely taken seriously. In Scandinavia girls with the disease are typically taken away from families who are blamed for negligence and forcefully hospitalised. The documentary's shot by one of sufferers whose mild smile and 70s-style locks are quite annoying to look at.
Sunday, 20 May 2018
15TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
SINGLED OUT
Watchable. What two Spanish women single out in the documentary is a mass phenomenon. The audience comprised mostly of women around the age of 40 and the picture presented single females in their 30s from from the West, from the Near East and from the Far East. Peculiar info is that in China find-a-partner fairs are organised, women are pushed into getting married as soon as they turn 18, the pressure increases at 25 and peaks at 30. In all that a Ph. D. is an obstacle. In Turkey single women happen to be harassed and Erdoğan is trying to remove gender equality from the constitution, simultaneously calling unmarried childless females, or even those with fewer than 3-5 children "half-women". Worldwide, the higher educated and better-earning the woman is the lower is her chance of finding a relationship. The film doesn't go deep into the phenomenon but presents cultural differences. And there's one cute image of bats hanging upside down. Important scenes are displayed along with the credits.
SINGLED OUT
Watchable. What two Spanish women single out in the documentary is a mass phenomenon. The audience comprised mostly of women around the age of 40 and the picture presented single females in their 30s from from the West, from the Near East and from the Far East. Peculiar info is that in China find-a-partner fairs are organised, women are pushed into getting married as soon as they turn 18, the pressure increases at 25 and peaks at 30. In all that a Ph. D. is an obstacle. In Turkey single women happen to be harassed and Erdoğan is trying to remove gender equality from the constitution, simultaneously calling unmarried childless females, or even those with fewer than 3-5 children "half-women". Worldwide, the higher educated and better-earning the woman is the lower is her chance of finding a relationship. The film doesn't go deep into the phenomenon but presents cultural differences. And there's one cute image of bats hanging upside down. Important scenes are displayed along with the credits.
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
15TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
THE FUTURE OF WORK AND DEATH
Recommended. A fantastic documentary on all things SF. It does not assume to have any answers, instead it poses several vital questions. Taken that in all probability in the next 20, 30, 50 years most jobs will disappear, longevity will increase further and the rich will be able to reverse aging, what will the world look like? Pros and cons are considered. E.g. Alzheimer's may affect as much as half the population. Plentiful data is given in support of the makers' claims that the advancements are bound to happen shortly. We already live in the world of abundance - producing 138% of what is needed for sustenance - and unequal distribution. Yet, even black Africa has seen massive healthcare improvements over the last 20 years. One hint for future planing we hear is that prospective jobs will need the most human of skills. The more robotic employment will be, the more human we'll need to get to stay in the career race. Transhuman ideology is heard too. Will we transfer the neuron networks which form our brains onto silicon ones and replace our physical selves with android bodies capable of sensing the surroundings in our quest of immortality?
THE FUTURE OF WORK AND DEATH
Recommended. A fantastic documentary on all things SF. It does not assume to have any answers, instead it poses several vital questions. Taken that in all probability in the next 20, 30, 50 years most jobs will disappear, longevity will increase further and the rich will be able to reverse aging, what will the world look like? Pros and cons are considered. E.g. Alzheimer's may affect as much as half the population. Plentiful data is given in support of the makers' claims that the advancements are bound to happen shortly. We already live in the world of abundance - producing 138% of what is needed for sustenance - and unequal distribution. Yet, even black Africa has seen massive healthcare improvements over the last 20 years. One hint for future planing we hear is that prospective jobs will need the most human of skills. The more robotic employment will be, the more human we'll need to get to stay in the career race. Transhuman ideology is heard too. Will we transfer the neuron networks which form our brains onto silicon ones and replace our physical selves with android bodies capable of sensing the surroundings in our quest of immortality?
Monday, 14 May 2018
15TH DOCS AGAINST GRAVITY FILM FESTIVAL 2018
IN PRAISE OF NOTHING
Recommended. Iggy Pop's voice and the images are mesmerising. Shot by 62 cinematographers in 70 countries yet by no Poles since they didn't get the game of filming Nothing. The spellbinding pictures and sounds get an inspiring poetic narration - written overnight by director Boris Mitic. The narrative's tongue-in-cheek and observes the workings of the world: Americans try to buy Nothing, Asians attempt to clone it, Arabs want to re-tame, Europeans keep debating on what to do with it. At the same time the third world trades natural resources for entertainment.
IN PRAISE OF NOTHING
Recommended. Iggy Pop's voice and the images are mesmerising. Shot by 62 cinematographers in 70 countries yet by no Poles since they didn't get the game of filming Nothing. The spellbinding pictures and sounds get an inspiring poetic narration - written overnight by director Boris Mitic. The narrative's tongue-in-cheek and observes the workings of the world: Americans try to buy Nothing, Asians attempt to clone it, Arabs want to re-tame, Europeans keep debating on what to do with it. At the same time the third world trades natural resources for entertainment.
L'AMANT D'UN JOUR (LOVER FOR A DAY)
Watchable. An unemotional study of love. With some observations about love, e.g. that when you're in love even a street seems beautiful or how you notice details like someone touching your beloved woman's neck when giving her a coat. And with remarks about current political situation - the movie's French - on how you shouldn't sympathise with the enemy as that way you let yourself get killed whether at war or by jihadists.
KARSTEN OG PETRA LAGER TEATER (CASPER AND EMMA AT THE THEATRE)
Watchable. Very suitable for nursery age children. Full of well-meaning and nice children, adults, toy pets and real animals: pets and one mouse unwelcome by adults. Explains the world to children. Still, not everyone is into theatre. And the film's too long even for grown-ups.
Watchable. An unemotional study of love. With some observations about love, e.g. that when you're in love even a street seems beautiful or how you notice details like someone touching your beloved woman's neck when giving her a coat. And with remarks about current political situation - the movie's French - on how you shouldn't sympathise with the enemy as that way you let yourself get killed whether at war or by jihadists.
KARSTEN OG PETRA LAGER TEATER (CASPER AND EMMA AT THE THEATRE)
Watchable. Very suitable for nursery age children. Full of well-meaning and nice children, adults, toy pets and real animals: pets and one mouse unwelcome by adults. Explains the world to children. Still, not everyone is into theatre. And the film's too long even for grown-ups.
Saturday, 12 May 2018
SCOPE 100
This year's Polish winner is:
AVA
Watchable. Light summer fun. Hot sun and hot young people. Shot in and around Bayonne, the part of France close to the Spanish border. Starts with a beach and a lovely dog. Then you meet a beautiful girl and a handsome boy - both mischievous. Things get steamy too which is shown quite graphically. Lastly, there's a budding love. A very pleasant movie. The only minus is that the girl, acted by Noée Abita - 19-year-old at the time - is said to be only 13 in the depicted story so her getting stark naked, a number of times in that, feels somewhat pedophiliac.
This year's Polish winner is:
AVA
Watchable. Light summer fun. Hot sun and hot young people. Shot in and around Bayonne, the part of France close to the Spanish border. Starts with a beach and a lovely dog. Then you meet a beautiful girl and a handsome boy - both mischievous. Things get steamy too which is shown quite graphically. Lastly, there's a budding love. A very pleasant movie. The only minus is that the girl, acted by Noée Abita - 19-year-old at the time - is said to be only 13 in the depicted story so her getting stark naked, a number of times in that, feels somewhat pedophiliac.
Tuesday, 8 May 2018
TULLY
Recommended. I detest little children and find babies revolting so for me the beginning was just about all the nasty stuff: the body fattened and deformed by pregnancies, poo and piss everywhere, sleepless nights, kids throwing tantrums, one of them being "corky" - autism rather than Down's syndrome in my opinion, having to cook for the whole family, breastfeeding, visits at school, a daytime job gets mentioned too. Charlize Theron is so realistic - looks and acts like a genuine knackered mother. Then Mackenzie Davis makes the spectacular entry. She's amazing as Tully, the night nanny. And it's her personality that makes the film. Several issues get tackled on the margins: "good" schools versus budget ones, life expectations, house chores sharing. Nothing is what it first seems to be. The movie just blew me away.
Recommended. I detest little children and find babies revolting so for me the beginning was just about all the nasty stuff: the body fattened and deformed by pregnancies, poo and piss everywhere, sleepless nights, kids throwing tantrums, one of them being "corky" - autism rather than Down's syndrome in my opinion, having to cook for the whole family, breastfeeding, visits at school, a daytime job gets mentioned too. Charlize Theron is so realistic - looks and acts like a genuine knackered mother. Then Mackenzie Davis makes the spectacular entry. She's amazing as Tully, the night nanny. And it's her personality that makes the film. Several issues get tackled on the margins: "good" schools versus budget ones, life expectations, house chores sharing. Nothing is what it first seems to be. The movie just blew me away.
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Watchable. Great music, pretty good animation, predictable yet suitable for children storyline. Kids laughed a couple of times. What almost ruins the movie though are the teenager-style dialogues full of slang (at least in the Polish translation) - not exactly for younger audience. There's a mid-credit with the turtle.
D'APRES DU UNE HISTOIRE VRAIE (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)
Watchable. If I hadn't been under the impression that I was watching a more feminine version of "Misery", I would call it intriguing. It's still full of mystery even though it follows the beaten track of a praying-mantis-woman genre. Thoroughly engaging, with a clear-cut storyline. Eva Green creates tension from the first appearance. The puzzle remains after the movie ends. Is she a fan? Or is she writing the novelist's biography? Is she real at all? Has the befriended writer taken over Her personality? Is the ghost writer trying to destroy her? It's clearly a different take on ghosting celebrities' biographies than in Polanski's own earlier "The Ghost Writer". A silly error slipped in: the X-ray of the supposedly metatarsal fracture... doesn't show the metatarsus.
Watchable. Great music, pretty good animation, predictable yet suitable for children storyline. Kids laughed a couple of times. What almost ruins the movie though are the teenager-style dialogues full of slang (at least in the Polish translation) - not exactly for younger audience. There's a mid-credit with the turtle.
D'APRES DU UNE HISTOIRE VRAIE (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)
Watchable. If I hadn't been under the impression that I was watching a more feminine version of "Misery", I would call it intriguing. It's still full of mystery even though it follows the beaten track of a praying-mantis-woman genre. Thoroughly engaging, with a clear-cut storyline. Eva Green creates tension from the first appearance. The puzzle remains after the movie ends. Is she a fan? Or is she writing the novelist's biography? Is she real at all? Has the befriended writer taken over Her personality? Is the ghost writer trying to destroy her? It's clearly a different take on ghosting celebrities' biographies than in Polanski's own earlier "The Ghost Writer". A silly error slipped in: the X-ray of the supposedly metatarsal fracture... doesn't show the metatarsus.
Sunday, 6 May 2018
BEYOND THE SUN
Watchable. It's fairy-tale like in its naivety. All people are good, kind and well-meaning and the only dangers come from wild animals, weather and falling rocks. Pope Francis first makes a cameo speaking from a wall portrait Harry-Potter-style and then at the very end. The Polish version is all dubbed apart from the two Pope scenes which are voiced over. He doesn't say anything extraordinary though.
Watchable. It's fairy-tale like in its naivety. All people are good, kind and well-meaning and the only dangers come from wild animals, weather and falling rocks. Pope Francis first makes a cameo speaking from a wall portrait Harry-Potter-style and then at the very end. The Polish version is all dubbed apart from the two Pope scenes which are voiced over. He doesn't say anything extraordinary though.
Saturday, 5 May 2018
TRUTH OR DARE
Watchable. Engrossing and really fun. When you analyze, it's pretty schematic but it doesn't give you a minute to step back and analyze. It's dubbed a horror but it's not really scary, just some teenage-level spooks. The ending is out of line with the protagonist's character. But a lovely 80s-style song over the credits leaves you with a good overall impression.
Watchable. Engrossing and really fun. When you analyze, it's pretty schematic but it doesn't give you a minute to step back and analyze. It's dubbed a horror but it's not really scary, just some teenage-level spooks. The ending is out of line with the protagonist's character. But a lovely 80s-style song over the credits leaves you with a good overall impression.
Sunday, 29 April 2018
하루 (A DAY)
Watchable. Like virtually all Korean movies, it's very good technically which merits a cinema viewing. At the same time it's Korean-way hasty. Everything happens so quickly it's very easy to miss details, e.g. I couldn't make out why the doctor snatched a kid's candy till I understood that was what the boy had choked on in the previous run of the day. For that reason it may be more suitable for DVD where you can go back and forth and pause to catch everything. The title has a double meaning: a day in Korean which obviously refers to the day he relives on a loop but also to Ha-Ru - a character in the film. It's intriguing trying to work out what action will break the loop. They should make it into a game.
In Warsaw the movie's on at just one cinema so I went to the leafy Falenica suburb where a tiny Kino Stacja Falenica is located. The two little screens show quite a selection playing each title once a day but at differing hours. In the smaller screening room the sound was astonishingly spatial and the picture like in all modern cinemas. The air-con worked wonders. Perfect for a hot summer day (and not only since radiators were there too). There are also a handful of little tables allowing to have a drink or even a meal brought. As I was the only person at the screening, when I left for a while, the staff thoughtfully paused the movie for me. And the film was preceded by a few trailers only, no commercials.
Watchable. Like virtually all Korean movies, it's very good technically which merits a cinema viewing. At the same time it's Korean-way hasty. Everything happens so quickly it's very easy to miss details, e.g. I couldn't make out why the doctor snatched a kid's candy till I understood that was what the boy had choked on in the previous run of the day. For that reason it may be more suitable for DVD where you can go back and forth and pause to catch everything. The title has a double meaning: a day in Korean which obviously refers to the day he relives on a loop but also to Ha-Ru - a character in the film. It's intriguing trying to work out what action will break the loop. They should make it into a game.
In Warsaw the movie's on at just one cinema so I went to the leafy Falenica suburb where a tiny Kino Stacja Falenica is located. The two little screens show quite a selection playing each title once a day but at differing hours. In the smaller screening room the sound was astonishingly spatial and the picture like in all modern cinemas. The air-con worked wonders. Perfect for a hot summer day (and not only since radiators were there too). There are also a handful of little tables allowing to have a drink or even a meal brought. As I was the only person at the screening, when I left for a while, the staff thoughtfully paused the movie for me. And the film was preceded by a few trailers only, no commercials.
Saturday, 28 April 2018
MALA ZAGLADA (A MINOR GENOCIDE)
Recommended. Absolutely harrowing from the early minutes. Genocide gets compared to torturing and murdering animals in abattoirs. In addition the genocide is presented from the viewpoint of children. Also the question of the type of death is mentioned - one from a bullet with no rape and no torture is a light one. The whole thing is very emotional but the poignant bits are intertwined with fragments of a holy mass or conversations which gives you respite from the agonizing images and descriptions. War is depicted as an abstract and versatile concept. And as unavoidable since it lets people vent their evil which is hindered in peaceful times. It's also striking how a childhood trauma gets perpetuated in adult life and passed on the next generations, especially in case of the survivor daughter who's scarred with the fear of war for life.
AS BOAS MANEIRAS (GOOD MANNERS)
Recommended. A werewolf tale set in modern day São Paulo but retaining all the elements of a fairy tale. Starts with the effects of a one night stand and then fast forwards by 10 years. The 10-year-old wolfie is cute but ravenous. Technically superb. A beautiful story of motherly love, compassion and social exclusion.
The movie will be released online only: on Tongariro's own channel, on VoD and on Vectra.
The "Mario" trailer is promising - looks like it's going to be a well-paced football drama, with good-looking actors, gay love and attempts to prevent a scandal.
OCTOBER
Watchable. Typical Bollywood means a lot of good music and the movie becoming even better after the interval. This one's different. Out of 5 listed songs only one is played... over the final credits. It's a shame since the song's beautiful. The first part is totally engrossing: the reckless trainee, his smart female colleague and all the things he does wrong, the accident scene - you just can't take your eyes of the screen. Later the dilemma of how long one should be kept on life support somewhat resembles the very recent Alfie case from Britain. But after the interval the pace slows down and emotions fade. That's where the enchanting music should come in but it doesn't. At least the new generation of actors is excellent. The future of Indian cinema is safe. It doesn't change the fact this one is mediocre.
Recommended. Absolutely harrowing from the early minutes. Genocide gets compared to torturing and murdering animals in abattoirs. In addition the genocide is presented from the viewpoint of children. Also the question of the type of death is mentioned - one from a bullet with no rape and no torture is a light one. The whole thing is very emotional but the poignant bits are intertwined with fragments of a holy mass or conversations which gives you respite from the agonizing images and descriptions. War is depicted as an abstract and versatile concept. And as unavoidable since it lets people vent their evil which is hindered in peaceful times. It's also striking how a childhood trauma gets perpetuated in adult life and passed on the next generations, especially in case of the survivor daughter who's scarred with the fear of war for life.
AS BOAS MANEIRAS (GOOD MANNERS)
Recommended. A werewolf tale set in modern day São Paulo but retaining all the elements of a fairy tale. Starts with the effects of a one night stand and then fast forwards by 10 years. The 10-year-old wolfie is cute but ravenous. Technically superb. A beautiful story of motherly love, compassion and social exclusion.
The movie will be released online only: on Tongariro's own channel, on VoD and on Vectra.
The "Mario" trailer is promising - looks like it's going to be a well-paced football drama, with good-looking actors, gay love and attempts to prevent a scandal.
OCTOBER
Watchable. Typical Bollywood means a lot of good music and the movie becoming even better after the interval. This one's different. Out of 5 listed songs only one is played... over the final credits. It's a shame since the song's beautiful. The first part is totally engrossing: the reckless trainee, his smart female colleague and all the things he does wrong, the accident scene - you just can't take your eyes of the screen. Later the dilemma of how long one should be kept on life support somewhat resembles the very recent Alfie case from Britain. But after the interval the pace slows down and emotions fade. That's where the enchanting music should come in but it doesn't. At least the new generation of actors is excellent. The future of Indian cinema is safe. It doesn't change the fact this one is mediocre.
Thursday, 26 April 2018
24. WIOSNA FILMOW (24TH FILM SPRING FESTIVAL)
I finally made it to the Film Spring Festival on the last day but that let me experience it in all three venues, including two brand new ones. I finished Afrykamera and started the Film Spring with "westerns". Three movies were preview screenings (in Poland anyway), only the Japanese one was older.
SWEET COUNTRY
Recommended. Another western/southern - this one set on the dusty red soil of Australia. The lack of music replaced with background noises of insects, cattle, distant conversations creates expectation on the verge of certainty that something's going to happen. It does. Stunning cinematography, with outstanding vistas e.g. of a horse and a rider on white ground with the horizon undulating in the heat, enforces the picture. The engrossing action serves asking the question of whether it's possible to build a country where "settlers" despise the indigenous population and where natives fear newcomers. The only music is "Peace in the Valley" over the final credits - composed and sung by Americans (Thomas A. Dorsey and Johnny Cash respectively) like in a true western.
UNE SAISON EN FRANCE (A SEASON IN FRANCE)
Watchable. One of several, in recent years, movies exploiting the subject of refugees. Convincingly acted and realistically presenting their dire straits. Moving to a rustic room with a sink let by a Chinese seems true to life. Setting oneself on fire is over the top, especially that it fails to be dramatic. Also the ending fails to evoke emotions.
It was my first visit to the newly opened Amondo Cinema in Warsaw. It's tiny (33 seats). A fan clacks above viewers' heads and the seats creak loudly if you move. At the same time the audio and vision are splendid. I hope to be back.
あん (SWEET BEAN)
Recommended. Charming, uplifting, very humane and not as simple a story as it may seem. Filled with love of food, nature, people and animals.
The Pod Sowami screen is dreadful: even the few soft seats on the side are too narrow, the wooden bar stools are too small, too high and too hard for a 2-hour movie and the sound's far from clear. It's all on one level of course so taller people obstruct the view for the shorter ones.
פוֹקְסטְרוֹט (FOXTROT)
Recommended. Starts with a father being notified of his son's death. Then comes an even bigger surprise. Like in foxtrot, the story takes you sideways, back and forth to lead you to the starting point again. Each part makes an impression in its own right: the way the army takes care of everything, absolutely everything, in case of a tragedy or the border post life. Memorable scenes and a masterful game with the viewer.
The proportion of astounding films at the Film Spring was bewildering. I'm happy all of them either have been or will be on general release.
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR AT IMAX 3D
Watchable. Only to stay on track with the whole Marvel cinema series extended over years. I was fighting falling asleep near the finale. But for informative purposes seeing the ending should suffice - enough to see who dies and who survives. Imax 3D will beguile the 2.5 hours of demolition and wooden lines: unfunny banter and run-of-the-mill monologues. It's a war movie so it's all dark and only patches of Wakanda brighten up the screen at times. Stan Lee makes an obligatory cameo - here as a school bus driver early on: "What? Haven't you seen a spaceship before?!" Rocket gets dubbed "rabbit" and looks cute. Groot is a teenager inseparable from his gamepad. Black Widow's light blonde with shorter hair. Nothing much happens apart from fights with all weapons possible. After long credits demolition continues with a yet new weapon and Thanos is promised to return which implies the next movie may not be any better. Unless the device in the post-credit is a teleporter? Then rescue would be coming. Anyway, the war's not over yet.
At least the Warsaw Imax volume level is bearable again.
As trailers go, young Han Solo looks totally unlike Harrison Ford. "Ant-Man and the Wasp" is promising. May be some fun finally.
WHY WE'RE KILLING GUNTHER
Watchable. Mockumentaries rarely work. This one's no exception. It follows in the footsteps of "What We Do In The Shadows" which ridiculed vampire movies and youth culture. Here the butt of the joke is hitmen films. Just like the vampire one, it fails to amuse. In fact it's just a 67-minute wait for Arnold Scharzenegger. Comedy's not his best genre, yet his appearance is refreshing. I loved the tongue-in-cheek ending where he's in Austria and I could hear him say a few words in German for the first time in my life. There's a sequence of mid-credit scenes, also with a pinch of salt. Later Arnie's singing Gunther's song which finally put a smile on my face.
I finally made it to the Film Spring Festival on the last day but that let me experience it in all three venues, including two brand new ones. I finished Afrykamera and started the Film Spring with "westerns". Three movies were preview screenings (in Poland anyway), only the Japanese one was older.
SWEET COUNTRY
Recommended. Another western/southern - this one set on the dusty red soil of Australia. The lack of music replaced with background noises of insects, cattle, distant conversations creates expectation on the verge of certainty that something's going to happen. It does. Stunning cinematography, with outstanding vistas e.g. of a horse and a rider on white ground with the horizon undulating in the heat, enforces the picture. The engrossing action serves asking the question of whether it's possible to build a country where "settlers" despise the indigenous population and where natives fear newcomers. The only music is "Peace in the Valley" over the final credits - composed and sung by Americans (Thomas A. Dorsey and Johnny Cash respectively) like in a true western.
UNE SAISON EN FRANCE (A SEASON IN FRANCE)
Watchable. One of several, in recent years, movies exploiting the subject of refugees. Convincingly acted and realistically presenting their dire straits. Moving to a rustic room with a sink let by a Chinese seems true to life. Setting oneself on fire is over the top, especially that it fails to be dramatic. Also the ending fails to evoke emotions.
It was my first visit to the newly opened Amondo Cinema in Warsaw. It's tiny (33 seats). A fan clacks above viewers' heads and the seats creak loudly if you move. At the same time the audio and vision are splendid. I hope to be back.
あん (SWEET BEAN)
Recommended. Charming, uplifting, very humane and not as simple a story as it may seem. Filled with love of food, nature, people and animals.
The Pod Sowami screen is dreadful: even the few soft seats on the side are too narrow, the wooden bar stools are too small, too high and too hard for a 2-hour movie and the sound's far from clear. It's all on one level of course so taller people obstruct the view for the shorter ones.
פוֹקְסטְרוֹט (FOXTROT)
Recommended. Starts with a father being notified of his son's death. Then comes an even bigger surprise. Like in foxtrot, the story takes you sideways, back and forth to lead you to the starting point again. Each part makes an impression in its own right: the way the army takes care of everything, absolutely everything, in case of a tragedy or the border post life. Memorable scenes and a masterful game with the viewer.
The proportion of astounding films at the Film Spring was bewildering. I'm happy all of them either have been or will be on general release.
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR AT IMAX 3D
Watchable. Only to stay on track with the whole Marvel cinema series extended over years. I was fighting falling asleep near the finale. But for informative purposes seeing the ending should suffice - enough to see who dies and who survives. Imax 3D will beguile the 2.5 hours of demolition and wooden lines: unfunny banter and run-of-the-mill monologues. It's a war movie so it's all dark and only patches of Wakanda brighten up the screen at times. Stan Lee makes an obligatory cameo - here as a school bus driver early on: "What? Haven't you seen a spaceship before?!" Rocket gets dubbed "rabbit" and looks cute. Groot is a teenager inseparable from his gamepad. Black Widow's light blonde with shorter hair. Nothing much happens apart from fights with all weapons possible. After long credits demolition continues with a yet new weapon and Thanos is promised to return which implies the next movie may not be any better. Unless the device in the post-credit is a teleporter? Then rescue would be coming. Anyway, the war's not over yet.
At least the Warsaw Imax volume level is bearable again.
As trailers go, young Han Solo looks totally unlike Harrison Ford. "Ant-Man and the Wasp" is promising. May be some fun finally.
WHY WE'RE KILLING GUNTHER
Watchable. Mockumentaries rarely work. This one's no exception. It follows in the footsteps of "What We Do In The Shadows" which ridiculed vampire movies and youth culture. Here the butt of the joke is hitmen films. Just like the vampire one, it fails to amuse. In fact it's just a 67-minute wait for Arnold Scharzenegger. Comedy's not his best genre, yet his appearance is refreshing. I loved the tongue-in-cheek ending where he's in Austria and I could hear him say a few words in German for the first time in my life. There's a sequence of mid-credit scenes, also with a pinch of salt. Later Arnie's singing Gunther's song which finally put a smile on my face.
Wednesday, 25 April 2018
AFRYKAMERA 2018
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
ANOTHER SUNNY DAY
Watchable. About an albino who lives kind of like a vampire - having to stay in most of the day. He slops on sun protection to go out, obviously. Nothing you wouldn't expect. 24 hours in Namibia are shown beautifully.
LODGERS
Recommended. A smart comedy, with outstanding British and Nigerian actors, about being an immigrant to the UK. It picks on: entry formalities, initially incomprehensible English accent, language differences, mispronounced names, educational and professional background assessment, getting the national insurance number, British politeness and consequential cultural misunderstandings, indirect discrimination - all in a comic manner, e.g. when United Kingdom is mentioned, the Nigerian responds: "We are very united where I come from. But I don't know about your kingdom."
DEAR MR SHAKESPEARE
Watchable. Very well, in a modern way, delivered Shakespeare quotes. Was supposed to treat about racism but I don't remember what it was about so I guess the contents didn't stand out.
ONCE AN OLD LADY SAT ON MY CHEST
Recommended. About the dilemma of staying true to your roots versus changing your name in order to land a job in Britain. The old lady is the girl's late mother from Africa. Thought-provoking.
BECAUSE I AM
Watchable. Just unbelievable what people do to lesbians in Zimbabwe. They get gang raped, accused of magic, oppressed by the Church. It's an animation which lessens the impact.
آية (AYA)
Watchable. About a Tunisian girl torn between two worlds: traditional and western. It explains she's covering up because she's dreaming of meeting God. Her parents and social circles are ambivalent too. You just don't know which way to live in such a society. Insightful but the conundrum remains insoluble.
SUKUT
Watchable. I can't remember what it was about but I didn't feel like walking out.
IMFURA
Watchable. Slow and with no clear message. The cultural side, i.e. the speaking manner or the village court is a bit interesting.
LIYANA
Watchable. Tear-jerking. In Swaziland, inhabited by 1.2 m people, 200 thousand are infected with HIV which results in numerous orphans. The orphaned children in the film are incredibly strong and are amazingly talented actors. The animation inserts picture the story they invent. It's clearly based on their own experiences. The whole thing is too slow.
FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES
Walked out. Predictable. Quite a standard western. Or "southern" since it's South African. Terribly protracted.
Air-con - insufficient or blowing air on one row while leaving other overheated - was the main problem in this year's festival venue - Kinoteka in Warsaw. At the same time the movie selection was significantly better than last year. Meetings with film makers were time-restricted but the organizers insisted on everything translated from/to English even if the audience knew the language. The interpreter was an amateur but humbly accepted occasional corrections from the audience. I found bits of incorrect Polish in film subtitles. The very head of the festival, Przemyslaw Stepien, did said translations. The staff were generally very friendly. Sadly it overlapped the Film Spring Festival.
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
ANOTHER SUNNY DAY
Watchable. About an albino who lives kind of like a vampire - having to stay in most of the day. He slops on sun protection to go out, obviously. Nothing you wouldn't expect. 24 hours in Namibia are shown beautifully.
LODGERS
Recommended. A smart comedy, with outstanding British and Nigerian actors, about being an immigrant to the UK. It picks on: entry formalities, initially incomprehensible English accent, language differences, mispronounced names, educational and professional background assessment, getting the national insurance number, British politeness and consequential cultural misunderstandings, indirect discrimination - all in a comic manner, e.g. when United Kingdom is mentioned, the Nigerian responds: "We are very united where I come from. But I don't know about your kingdom."
DEAR MR SHAKESPEARE
Watchable. Very well, in a modern way, delivered Shakespeare quotes. Was supposed to treat about racism but I don't remember what it was about so I guess the contents didn't stand out.
ONCE AN OLD LADY SAT ON MY CHEST
Recommended. About the dilemma of staying true to your roots versus changing your name in order to land a job in Britain. The old lady is the girl's late mother from Africa. Thought-provoking.
BECAUSE I AM
Watchable. Just unbelievable what people do to lesbians in Zimbabwe. They get gang raped, accused of magic, oppressed by the Church. It's an animation which lessens the impact.
آية (AYA)
Watchable. About a Tunisian girl torn between two worlds: traditional and western. It explains she's covering up because she's dreaming of meeting God. Her parents and social circles are ambivalent too. You just don't know which way to live in such a society. Insightful but the conundrum remains insoluble.
SUKUT
Watchable. I can't remember what it was about but I didn't feel like walking out.
IMFURA
Watchable. Slow and with no clear message. The cultural side, i.e. the speaking manner or the village court is a bit interesting.
WÙLU
Recommended. Glamourous drug dealing like in "Blow". Excellent cinematography. Very good technically, which isn't the norm in Africa and it's a Mali-Senegalese-French co-production. Riveting plot.
Watchable. Tear-jerking. In Swaziland, inhabited by 1.2 m people, 200 thousand are infected with HIV which results in numerous orphans. The orphaned children in the film are incredibly strong and are amazingly talented actors. The animation inserts picture the story they invent. It's clearly based on their own experiences. The whole thing is too slow.
FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES
Walked out. Predictable. Quite a standard western. Or "southern" since it's South African. Terribly protracted.
Air-con - insufficient or blowing air on one row while leaving other overheated - was the main problem in this year's festival venue - Kinoteka in Warsaw. At the same time the movie selection was significantly better than last year. Meetings with film makers were time-restricted but the organizers insisted on everything translated from/to English even if the audience knew the language. The interpreter was an amateur but humbly accepted occasional corrections from the audience. I found bits of incorrect Polish in film subtitles. The very head of the festival, Przemyslaw Stepien, did said translations. The staff were generally very friendly. Sadly it overlapped the Film Spring Festival.
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
AFRYKAMERA 2018
SOMEBODY CLAP FOR ME
Watchable. Idi Amin, "the last king of Scotland", built roads but inflicted torture. Current Ugandan president Museveni wants to silence the dissatisfied: "The problem is people who don't even have enough to eat are very talkative". The true issue is politicians are more than 60-70 years old so "only want to exhaust the system" while 76% citizens are young. Traditionally young ones won't speak before the elders. In poetry they will. Arrests, interrogations, beatings are not mentioned directly but the youngsters speak out against the regime. An interesting viewpoint is that white volunteers are brought in instead of creating jobs for the locals. Women are awakening from the rape culture too. And they are subjected to more violence than we are in Europe. One more issue is ethnic identity - a female who's "not white enough to be British, not Indian enough to be Indian, not black enough to be black" is such an exmple. War music of the tribe Museveni hails from is used in the animated sequence. Wonderful music features in the whole film. Kampala appears to be the centre of quality poetry maintained in the African oral literature tradition. It's recited in open-air clubs with kiosks. However, lacking commentary, you have to pick out the important bits. The movie maker explained a lot herself... after the screening, not in the film itself.
THE MERCY
Watchable. Confounding and depressing. Typically real life adventure stories are about victories or at least glorious failures. This one's about a total failure. A homebody set out on the open sea and miserably failed, not only incapable of handling the ocean but also cracking under the pressure of media hype. A true story which is a plus. However it left me dejected for a bigger part of the day.
AFRYKAMERA 2018
FELICITE
Watchable. Very African: the creaky recording ruins the music from minute one and the night is truly so dark you can only see people's silhouettes. In the first hour Félicité's determination to get money for her son's operation is just a pretext to exhibit today's Congo: dirt, stench, littered dirt roads even in a city, paint flaking off walls, greed, corruption, misogyny, violence against women, impunity and cruelty of the rich. The second hour comprises of dreams, drunken debauchery and a sad love affair. The first hour would have been enough.
PANDAS AT IMAX 3D
Recommended. It's all cuteness. From newborns to adults. And black bears too. You just want to reach out and pet them all. The closest you can get to pandas without travelling to China. Or maybe at all.
BENT
Watchable. A pretty standard thriller about a murder case leading to unravelling international espionage but decently made and well-paced. What's peculiar is it's made according to the 80s rules: a tough guy, a few naked women, dealing with the jet set. The ex-con investigating Jennifer's death is both in disgrace and favoured by everyone, excluding the police, at the same time. The whole thing looks good in the southern sun.
THE DEATH OF STALIN
Watchable. Filmed in London, Kiev and Moscow. Based on historic events but showing the absurdity of the dictatorship. And any dictatorial system for that matter. On a more serious level it explains a crucial period in Russian and Soviet history. Now I understand that the assassination of Beria prevented an even harsher regime. Sharp satire but so true I wasn't able to laugh. Includes Beria's pedophilia and details like parents collecting their daughter from his residence afterwards. Brezhnev's character shows up in the final scene. I'd love a sequel. With a plethora of great British actors, including Michael Palin as... Molotov but my favourite was Jason Isaacs as Zhukov. The soundtrack consists of Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Chopin.
PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST
Walked out. Dubbing like in a children's movie. Theatrical acting. Brown hues like in virtually all religious films.
NIE WRACAJ DO MNIE W SNACH (DON'T HAUNT MY DREAMS)
Walked out. Amateurish, especially the cheap "period" costumes.Theatrically delivered lines. Nonsense ones. All in all a cheap grotesque.
SOMEBODY CLAP FOR ME
Watchable. Idi Amin, "the last king of Scotland", built roads but inflicted torture. Current Ugandan president Museveni wants to silence the dissatisfied: "The problem is people who don't even have enough to eat are very talkative". The true issue is politicians are more than 60-70 years old so "only want to exhaust the system" while 76% citizens are young. Traditionally young ones won't speak before the elders. In poetry they will. Arrests, interrogations, beatings are not mentioned directly but the youngsters speak out against the regime. An interesting viewpoint is that white volunteers are brought in instead of creating jobs for the locals. Women are awakening from the rape culture too. And they are subjected to more violence than we are in Europe. One more issue is ethnic identity - a female who's "not white enough to be British, not Indian enough to be Indian, not black enough to be black" is such an exmple. War music of the tribe Museveni hails from is used in the animated sequence. Wonderful music features in the whole film. Kampala appears to be the centre of quality poetry maintained in the African oral literature tradition. It's recited in open-air clubs with kiosks. However, lacking commentary, you have to pick out the important bits. The movie maker explained a lot herself... after the screening, not in the film itself.
THE MERCY
Watchable. Confounding and depressing. Typically real life adventure stories are about victories or at least glorious failures. This one's about a total failure. A homebody set out on the open sea and miserably failed, not only incapable of handling the ocean but also cracking under the pressure of media hype. A true story which is a plus. However it left me dejected for a bigger part of the day.
AFRYKAMERA 2018
FELICITE
Watchable. Very African: the creaky recording ruins the music from minute one and the night is truly so dark you can only see people's silhouettes. In the first hour Félicité's determination to get money for her son's operation is just a pretext to exhibit today's Congo: dirt, stench, littered dirt roads even in a city, paint flaking off walls, greed, corruption, misogyny, violence against women, impunity and cruelty of the rich. The second hour comprises of dreams, drunken debauchery and a sad love affair. The first hour would have been enough.
PANDAS AT IMAX 3D
Recommended. It's all cuteness. From newborns to adults. And black bears too. You just want to reach out and pet them all. The closest you can get to pandas without travelling to China. Or maybe at all.
BENT
Watchable. A pretty standard thriller about a murder case leading to unravelling international espionage but decently made and well-paced. What's peculiar is it's made according to the 80s rules: a tough guy, a few naked women, dealing with the jet set. The ex-con investigating Jennifer's death is both in disgrace and favoured by everyone, excluding the police, at the same time. The whole thing looks good in the southern sun.
THE DEATH OF STALIN
Watchable. Filmed in London, Kiev and Moscow. Based on historic events but showing the absurdity of the dictatorship. And any dictatorial system for that matter. On a more serious level it explains a crucial period in Russian and Soviet history. Now I understand that the assassination of Beria prevented an even harsher regime. Sharp satire but so true I wasn't able to laugh. Includes Beria's pedophilia and details like parents collecting their daughter from his residence afterwards. Brezhnev's character shows up in the final scene. I'd love a sequel. With a plethora of great British actors, including Michael Palin as... Molotov but my favourite was Jason Isaacs as Zhukov. The soundtrack consists of Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Chopin.
PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST
Walked out. Dubbing like in a children's movie. Theatrical acting. Brown hues like in virtually all religious films.
NIE WRACAJ DO MNIE W SNACH (DON'T HAUNT MY DREAMS)
Walked out. Amateurish, especially the cheap "period" costumes.Theatrically delivered lines. Nonsense ones. All in all a cheap grotesque.
Sunday, 22 April 2018
WESTWORLD - SEASON 2 EPISODE 1
Recommended. The first episode of series 1 was intriguing. The first episode of series 2 is striking, not least for the seascape of dead bodies. The initial season commenced with reveries which manifested themselves, among others, through subtle trembling of a hand. In the beginning of season 2 Bernard's hand trembles noticeably on a number of occasions as if mirroring those reveries. On a more tangible level the drama reflects what happened in Hollywood over the last year. In real life several women notified about sex abuse committed by movie producer Weinstein. In Westworld female hosts were violated on a regular basis in each role they played. Now the revolution's female-led. A far cry from the beginning of series 1 which shocked me with the amount of nudity and violence. Here they take revenge. Notorious aggressor William is still on the hunt. Shogunworld is going to be opened later in the season. In this episode Asians only appear briefly. "Westworld" is getting a makeover. A fascinating one. With a puzzling ending of the episode. I'm dying to know how it develops.
Recommended. The first episode of series 1 was intriguing. The first episode of series 2 is striking, not least for the seascape of dead bodies. The initial season commenced with reveries which manifested themselves, among others, through subtle trembling of a hand. In the beginning of season 2 Bernard's hand trembles noticeably on a number of occasions as if mirroring those reveries. On a more tangible level the drama reflects what happened in Hollywood over the last year. In real life several women notified about sex abuse committed by movie producer Weinstein. In Westworld female hosts were violated on a regular basis in each role they played. Now the revolution's female-led. A far cry from the beginning of series 1 which shocked me with the amount of nudity and violence. Here they take revenge. Notorious aggressor William is still on the hunt. Shogunworld is going to be opened later in the season. In this episode Asians only appear briefly. "Westworld" is getting a makeover. A fascinating one. With a puzzling ending of the episode. I'm dying to know how it develops.
A QUIET PLACE
Watchable. What a load of rubbish! It got blood rushing in my veins so the adrenaline rush kept me watching. The music's interesting, e.g. a foetus's heartbeat sounding like techno or the "Inception" motif. But the premise of a place where you have to keep quiet so that a monster can't hear you is nothing new. Here it just gets expanded to the whole world being under a siege of blood-thirsty, blind, Alien-looking creatures. It makes no sense to give birth under such circumstances. After all babies always cry and scream which would put theirs and the family's life in danger. At least this part of the plot can be explained by the woman's previous loss of a son. The same with the old man cracking under pressure and screaming in order to end his suffering - the character appears out of the blue and only serves as an example of a different psychologic reaction. Monsters soon start showing up, even in water when the house, inexplicably, gets flooded. And the movie's about one family's survival, just like so many other horrors before.
Watchable. What a load of rubbish! It got blood rushing in my veins so the adrenaline rush kept me watching. The music's interesting, e.g. a foetus's heartbeat sounding like techno or the "Inception" motif. But the premise of a place where you have to keep quiet so that a monster can't hear you is nothing new. Here it just gets expanded to the whole world being under a siege of blood-thirsty, blind, Alien-looking creatures. It makes no sense to give birth under such circumstances. After all babies always cry and scream which would put theirs and the family's life in danger. At least this part of the plot can be explained by the woman's previous loss of a son. The same with the old man cracking under pressure and screaming in order to end his suffering - the character appears out of the blue and only serves as an example of a different psychologic reaction. Monsters soon start showing up, even in water when the house, inexplicably, gets flooded. And the movie's about one family's survival, just like so many other horrors before.
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
AFRYKAMERA 2018
طلق صناعي (INDUCED LABOR)
Recommended. A pleasant tragicomedy turns into a political hostage thriller when a desperate man and hostages get caught up in international relations. Gripping throughout. Shows cultural differences between Egyptian and American ways of conflict resolution. Great lead actor - ماجد الكدواني (Maged El Kedwany).
ALI MIZAH WA IBRAHIM (ALI, THE GOAT & IBRAHIM)
Watchable. A weird but warm tale full of love of animals - in its own bizarre way but still. About luck and providence as well. The little white goat is cute. It's also poor Egypt, with alcohol, prostitution, police aggression and thugs attacking people in full impunity. The sound in the technician's head which features in the movie is truly annoying. I had to cover my ears.
UMA MEMORIA EM TRES ATOS (A MEMORY IN THREE ACTS)
Watchable. The fascinating topic of Portuguese colonialism, the occupation of Mozambique and torture under the rule gets ruined by an annoying soundtrack and the documentary being comprised of talking heads. Talking all in the same melodious but monotonous intonation. The picture that emerges from their testimonies, when you force yourself to pay attention, is one of Portuguese occupants treating their African subjects almost like slaves - paying them for work on landlords' estates but making the work obligatory. It was also a dictatorship with special agents spying on citizens, holding and torturing political prisoners. Yet the interviewees only vaguely mention the oppression and their ordeals. You never hear what happened in the designated torture part of the building. They mention the use of a palmatoria but fail to explain why it was dreaded so much.
SHORT FILMS SECTION: SECRETS OF LUSOPHONIA
BIOJOIAS - BIZUTERIA Z RYBICH LUSEK Z WYSP ZIELONEGO PRZYLADKA
Watchable. The fish scale jewellery is surprisingly beautiful, flower-like. The 3-minute film's too short.
NYO VWETA NAFTA
Watchable. About young lads' dreams. They're naive, lacking education and life experience so the film's simple but with some charm.
MINA KIA (LITTLE MAID)
Recommended. A significant fictitious film about a teenage girl made a slave and even sexually abused in her uncle's house where she was sent because of school - a common problem in Africa. Colourful, presenting the daughter versus niece clashes realistically. With a happy ending.
PA NHA TERA (FOR MY LAND)
Watchable. I learnt about two fishing net types: the less durable ones disintegrate in water, therefore are safe for fish. The rest is just grumbling about junk on the shore.
HORA DI BAI (TIME TO GO)
Watchable. About local funeral traditions in Cabo Verde and attitudes to death: one's own and that of a family member. Informative but some bits are too religious.
PERCUSOS (TRACKS)
Watchable. About an emigrant fisherman's career so hardly interesting. But it ends in the best music of the seven shorts. The fisherman's voice also has a pleasant timbre and accent.
VESTINDO A RELIGIAO (YOUR RELIGION)
Watchable. More spiritual than I expected. The "radical" islam here is of a peaceful kind. The film's rather about prejudice towards covered women and her belief Islam should rule the world as she perceives man and women segregation and modest clothing as a superior way of living.
MAPUTO - ETNOGRAFIA DE UMA CIDADE DIVIDIDA (MAPUTO - AN ETNOGRAPHY OF A DIVIDED CITY)
Watchable. Will educated children living on a stinking rubbish heap build a better future or perpetuate what they identify as normal: the stench? What's the entry income level to live in a city? These questions are raised in this protracted documentary. I liked the varied footage: interviews, presenting the inhabitants' surroundings and living conditions, accelerated traffic and market vending sequences. It does show a few levels of living standards but also throws in a boxing girl and a priest - protagonists whose degree of material comfort remains unknown so they are kind of on the side track of the subject matter. Prolonged sequences of people's daily grind take too much time too. The music's good though.
طلق صناعي (INDUCED LABOR)
Recommended. A pleasant tragicomedy turns into a political hostage thriller when a desperate man and hostages get caught up in international relations. Gripping throughout. Shows cultural differences between Egyptian and American ways of conflict resolution. Great lead actor - ماجد الكدواني (Maged El Kedwany).
ALI MIZAH WA IBRAHIM (ALI, THE GOAT & IBRAHIM)
Watchable. A weird but warm tale full of love of animals - in its own bizarre way but still. About luck and providence as well. The little white goat is cute. It's also poor Egypt, with alcohol, prostitution, police aggression and thugs attacking people in full impunity. The sound in the technician's head which features in the movie is truly annoying. I had to cover my ears.
UMA MEMORIA EM TRES ATOS (A MEMORY IN THREE ACTS)
Watchable. The fascinating topic of Portuguese colonialism, the occupation of Mozambique and torture under the rule gets ruined by an annoying soundtrack and the documentary being comprised of talking heads. Talking all in the same melodious but monotonous intonation. The picture that emerges from their testimonies, when you force yourself to pay attention, is one of Portuguese occupants treating their African subjects almost like slaves - paying them for work on landlords' estates but making the work obligatory. It was also a dictatorship with special agents spying on citizens, holding and torturing political prisoners. Yet the interviewees only vaguely mention the oppression and their ordeals. You never hear what happened in the designated torture part of the building. They mention the use of a palmatoria but fail to explain why it was dreaded so much.
SHORT FILMS SECTION: SECRETS OF LUSOPHONIA
BIOJOIAS - BIZUTERIA Z RYBICH LUSEK Z WYSP ZIELONEGO PRZYLADKA
Watchable. The fish scale jewellery is surprisingly beautiful, flower-like. The 3-minute film's too short.
NYO VWETA NAFTA
Watchable. About young lads' dreams. They're naive, lacking education and life experience so the film's simple but with some charm.
MINA KIA (LITTLE MAID)
Recommended. A significant fictitious film about a teenage girl made a slave and even sexually abused in her uncle's house where she was sent because of school - a common problem in Africa. Colourful, presenting the daughter versus niece clashes realistically. With a happy ending.
PA NHA TERA (FOR MY LAND)
Watchable. I learnt about two fishing net types: the less durable ones disintegrate in water, therefore are safe for fish. The rest is just grumbling about junk on the shore.
HORA DI BAI (TIME TO GO)
Watchable. About local funeral traditions in Cabo Verde and attitudes to death: one's own and that of a family member. Informative but some bits are too religious.
PERCUSOS (TRACKS)
Watchable. About an emigrant fisherman's career so hardly interesting. But it ends in the best music of the seven shorts. The fisherman's voice also has a pleasant timbre and accent.
VESTINDO A RELIGIAO (YOUR RELIGION)
Watchable. More spiritual than I expected. The "radical" islam here is of a peaceful kind. The film's rather about prejudice towards covered women and her belief Islam should rule the world as she perceives man and women segregation and modest clothing as a superior way of living.
MAPUTO - ETNOGRAFIA DE UMA CIDADE DIVIDIDA (MAPUTO - AN ETNOGRAPHY OF A DIVIDED CITY)
Watchable. Will educated children living on a stinking rubbish heap build a better future or perpetuate what they identify as normal: the stench? What's the entry income level to live in a city? These questions are raised in this protracted documentary. I liked the varied footage: interviews, presenting the inhabitants' surroundings and living conditions, accelerated traffic and market vending sequences. It does show a few levels of living standards but also throws in a boxing girl and a priest - protagonists whose degree of material comfort remains unknown so they are kind of on the side track of the subject matter. Prolonged sequences of people's daily grind take too much time too. The music's good though.
Tuesday, 17 April 2018
AFRYKAMERA 2018
TICKLING GIANTS
Recommended. I wasn't interested in the Arab Spring till Polish authorities started abusing their power two years ago. Now demonstrations and sacking journalists are commonplace here which brings political upheavals home. The film charts Bassem Youssef's comedy career intertwining show excerpts with news on the internal affairs at the time of each episode. "We need a dictator who'll understand democracy" and "Only a fair dictator will be a true democrat" come from actual news programs. His show has got Egyptians talking about politics and himself exiled. The documentary helped me understand recent Egyptian history and the present. An entertaining way to extend your knowledge of the world.
TICKLING GIANTS
Recommended. I wasn't interested in the Arab Spring till Polish authorities started abusing their power two years ago. Now demonstrations and sacking journalists are commonplace here which brings political upheavals home. The film charts Bassem Youssef's comedy career intertwining show excerpts with news on the internal affairs at the time of each episode. "We need a dictator who'll understand democracy" and "Only a fair dictator will be a true democrat" come from actual news programs. His show has got Egyptians talking about politics and himself exiled. The documentary helped me understand recent Egyptian history and the present. An entertaining way to extend your knowledge of the world.
READY PLAYER ONE 3D
Watchable. Starts with 80s music but tells about VR games and applies computer game aesthetic. References to 80s pop culture abound but in smartly twisted ways: key elements of "Shining" get incorporated in a game, knowledge of pop culture of the period proves you as a fan and not a commercial exploiter, the main protagonist is a teenager driving a DeLorean, who once gets dubbed "McFly" by a newly met girl, the set revokes "Tron" as well. Recent worldwide audience favourites appear too: Transformers-like giant humanoid machines and zombies. The plot, however, is predictable. And Simon Pegg isn't funny - how comes he gets so many roles beneath his talent?! Top-notch 3D makes it all entertaining. I saw it on a regular size screen and I had an impression that Imax would be overwhelming. An ordinary screen should do just fine.
The trailer of upcoming "Taxi 5" looks like the French have taken after American dumbest comedies where you laugh at people because they are ugly or a midget.
LUIS AND THE ALIENS 3D
Watchable. The 3D makes a minor difference. Very light entertainment. Pleasantly animated, a simple story perfect for children, very derivative for adults: the aliens taking on human forms, a father crazed with a space invasion forgetting his son's birthday, evil social care officers attempting to deprive him of parental rights, alien police, the look of aliens, school bullies. I liked a well-off father reading "The Snooty Economist". An early mid-credit shows the aliens on the petting mat they bought earlier on.
THE HURRICANE HEIST
Walked out. Shouldn't the pre-storm sky have more saturated colours? Everything in the movie is grey: the sky, the vehicles, clothes, interior design, even faces. Apart from a computer hacker in an evening dress. Wooden dialogues. Even the heist plot is ramshackle.
SLIMAKI (SNAILS)
Watchable. A short documentary which could serve as an instruction video for people planning to breed snails. The protagonists are treated warmly and the business with a pinch of salt, especially as the main job turns out to be ensuring the would-be snacks don't run. Not earth-shattering but fun.
NAJBRZYDSZY SAMOCHOD SWIATA (THE UGLIEST CAR)
Watchable. Another short documentary treating the protagonists with lots of warmth. An aged son and mother, both uneducated, very poor and ill protect each other going through life together. He's a smoker and looks older than his mother. Charming but sad as it's about the deprived ones.
MARY MAGDALENE
Watchable. She's the one who set up Christianity following Jezus' death but has been wrongly considered a converted prostitute for centuries so I went to the movie dying to know how they would present her. Like all religious movies it's terribly dignified. All apostles are obedient and reverent. Shot in Matera and near Naples, with inspiring underwater images. Unfortunately downright ugly Joaquin Phoenix, looking like a hobo, is Jezus. The final written note on the screen gives Mary Magdalene justice. It states Pope Gregory in 591 wrongly called her a prostitute. In 2016 Vatican recognised her as the Apostle of Apostles.
AFRYKAMERA 2018
SUPA MODO
Watchable. What appears to be a story of a terminally ill, probably with cancer, Kenyan girl, turns into a comedy about amateurs shooting a superhero movie and that's the best part of the film, e.g. with a guy bringing a mat because the director needed "a carpet" - well, he meant a red carpet. Like in all decent superhero films there's a post-credit.
MEERKAT MAANTUIG (MEERKAT MOONSHIP)
Watchable. Another film about an ill child. But this one is from the perspective of a lovely healthy girl. It's set in an Afrikaans family, shot in lush wooded area of the Limpopo River, and tells partly about dealing with grief and mostly about facing one's fears: "Everyone has a hairy monster stopping them from doing things which are exciting or new." It has an atmosphere of a secret, is slow-paced and told gently. On the other hand it's quite stereotypical and sad. But teaches you to fear nothing and just do what you love.
HIGH FANTASY
Watchable. Black South Africa this time. Arid land of Northern Cape Province. One teenage boy and three girls swap their bodies. He gets "genuinely scared that what he was doing to girls was going to start happening to him now." All of them get crazy about the black issue. Scary how everyone, black or white, hates whites, seeing them as big land proprietors. The "found footage" technique doesn't impair the movie as it's very well shot, acted and with good music and imaginative, colourful typography in the final credits.
ELLEN
Recommended. A harrowing, based on facts, story of a mother driven to killing her own son. Masterfully presents the whole process of her good boy changing into a monster. Produced by a recovered drug addict. Ellen's life is like a history of violence against women in South Africa. Jill Levenberg plausibly renders the main character. Shot in Ellen's real house.
ZULU WEDDING
Watchable.Terribly American: the male lead has a side-kick, there's a fat black woman working in law enforcement, both fiances are amazingly rich. Colourful but cheesy.
ADAMA
Watchable. Delightful animation, mostly watercolours-like, with hues changing along with the geographical regions the boy passes. The story's clear-cut, very linear but lacks the depth it implies to hide. Just another rendition of the Eldorado myth.
Watchable. Starts with 80s music but tells about VR games and applies computer game aesthetic. References to 80s pop culture abound but in smartly twisted ways: key elements of "Shining" get incorporated in a game, knowledge of pop culture of the period proves you as a fan and not a commercial exploiter, the main protagonist is a teenager driving a DeLorean, who once gets dubbed "McFly" by a newly met girl, the set revokes "Tron" as well. Recent worldwide audience favourites appear too: Transformers-like giant humanoid machines and zombies. The plot, however, is predictable. And Simon Pegg isn't funny - how comes he gets so many roles beneath his talent?! Top-notch 3D makes it all entertaining. I saw it on a regular size screen and I had an impression that Imax would be overwhelming. An ordinary screen should do just fine.
The trailer of upcoming "Taxi 5" looks like the French have taken after American dumbest comedies where you laugh at people because they are ugly or a midget.
LUIS AND THE ALIENS 3D
Watchable. The 3D makes a minor difference. Very light entertainment. Pleasantly animated, a simple story perfect for children, very derivative for adults: the aliens taking on human forms, a father crazed with a space invasion forgetting his son's birthday, evil social care officers attempting to deprive him of parental rights, alien police, the look of aliens, school bullies. I liked a well-off father reading "The Snooty Economist". An early mid-credit shows the aliens on the petting mat they bought earlier on.
THE HURRICANE HEIST
Walked out. Shouldn't the pre-storm sky have more saturated colours? Everything in the movie is grey: the sky, the vehicles, clothes, interior design, even faces. Apart from a computer hacker in an evening dress. Wooden dialogues. Even the heist plot is ramshackle.
SLIMAKI (SNAILS)
Watchable. A short documentary which could serve as an instruction video for people planning to breed snails. The protagonists are treated warmly and the business with a pinch of salt, especially as the main job turns out to be ensuring the would-be snacks don't run. Not earth-shattering but fun.
NAJBRZYDSZY SAMOCHOD SWIATA (THE UGLIEST CAR)
Watchable. Another short documentary treating the protagonists with lots of warmth. An aged son and mother, both uneducated, very poor and ill protect each other going through life together. He's a smoker and looks older than his mother. Charming but sad as it's about the deprived ones.
MARY MAGDALENE
Watchable. She's the one who set up Christianity following Jezus' death but has been wrongly considered a converted prostitute for centuries so I went to the movie dying to know how they would present her. Like all religious movies it's terribly dignified. All apostles are obedient and reverent. Shot in Matera and near Naples, with inspiring underwater images. Unfortunately downright ugly Joaquin Phoenix, looking like a hobo, is Jezus. The final written note on the screen gives Mary Magdalene justice. It states Pope Gregory in 591 wrongly called her a prostitute. In 2016 Vatican recognised her as the Apostle of Apostles.
AFRYKAMERA 2018
SUPA MODO
Watchable. What appears to be a story of a terminally ill, probably with cancer, Kenyan girl, turns into a comedy about amateurs shooting a superhero movie and that's the best part of the film, e.g. with a guy bringing a mat because the director needed "a carpet" - well, he meant a red carpet. Like in all decent superhero films there's a post-credit.
MEERKAT MAANTUIG (MEERKAT MOONSHIP)
Watchable. Another film about an ill child. But this one is from the perspective of a lovely healthy girl. It's set in an Afrikaans family, shot in lush wooded area of the Limpopo River, and tells partly about dealing with grief and mostly about facing one's fears: "Everyone has a hairy monster stopping them from doing things which are exciting or new." It has an atmosphere of a secret, is slow-paced and told gently. On the other hand it's quite stereotypical and sad. But teaches you to fear nothing and just do what you love.
HIGH FANTASY
Watchable. Black South Africa this time. Arid land of Northern Cape Province. One teenage boy and three girls swap their bodies. He gets "genuinely scared that what he was doing to girls was going to start happening to him now." All of them get crazy about the black issue. Scary how everyone, black or white, hates whites, seeing them as big land proprietors. The "found footage" technique doesn't impair the movie as it's very well shot, acted and with good music and imaginative, colourful typography in the final credits.
ELLEN
Recommended. A harrowing, based on facts, story of a mother driven to killing her own son. Masterfully presents the whole process of her good boy changing into a monster. Produced by a recovered drug addict. Ellen's life is like a history of violence against women in South Africa. Jill Levenberg plausibly renders the main character. Shot in Ellen's real house.
ZULU WEDDING
Watchable.Terribly American: the male lead has a side-kick, there's a fat black woman working in law enforcement, both fiances are amazingly rich. Colourful but cheesy.
ADAMA
Watchable. Delightful animation, mostly watercolours-like, with hues changing along with the geographical regions the boy passes. The story's clear-cut, very linear but lacks the depth it implies to hide. Just another rendition of the Eldorado myth.
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
GAME NIGHT
Watchable. Predictable in large part but with fantastic electronic music. Not really funny but when a wounded husband dubbed his wife Calamity Jane it did broaden my smile. There's a post-credit much in line with the movie.
KOBIETA SUKCESU
Watchable. A very pleasant, even if completely not amusing, romantic comedy. Clear-cut goodies and baddies, a dog, an involving corporate intrigue.
Watchable. Predictable in large part but with fantastic electronic music. Not really funny but when a wounded husband dubbed his wife Calamity Jane it did broaden my smile. There's a post-credit much in line with the movie.
KOBIETA SUKCESU
Watchable. A very pleasant, even if completely not amusing, romantic comedy. Clear-cut goodies and baddies, a dog, an involving corporate intrigue.
Monday, 9 April 2018
VINTERBRODRE (WINTER BROTHERS)
Watchable. About lowlifes whose pastimes are pissing on the floor at work, fighting naked or making moonshine vodka from chemicals stolen from the workplace. Great music supports the story but it still remains a waste of time.
GARDE ALTERNEE
Watchable. I was curious who the unfaithful husband will end up with. But it's hardly funny. Only his mistaking directions when driving to his wife or to his lover was a bit amusing. There's a mid-credit early on.
Watchable. About lowlifes whose pastimes are pissing on the floor at work, fighting naked or making moonshine vodka from chemicals stolen from the workplace. Great music supports the story but it still remains a waste of time.
GARDE ALTERNEE
Watchable. I was curious who the unfaithful husband will end up with. But it's hardly funny. Only his mistaking directions when driving to his wife or to his lover was a bit amusing. There's a mid-credit early on.
Sunday, 8 April 2018
ISLE OF DOGS
Recommended. About humans' attitude to animals. What would happen if dogs started to spread dog flu among humans? The answer is hard-hitting as it might well end up like in the movie. Its being puppet animation makes it easier to bear. It ended well - dogs got rescued and "political corruption returned to sustainable levels". Extraordinary music stays with you.
Recommended. About humans' attitude to animals. What would happen if dogs started to spread dog flu among humans? The answer is hard-hitting as it might well end up like in the movie. Its being puppet animation makes it easier to bear. It ended well - dogs got rescued and "political corruption returned to sustainable levels". Extraordinary music stays with you.
KOBIETY MAFII (WOMEN OF MAFIA)
Watchable. Prolonged, lyrical love sequences in the first hour are tedious and unlike Vega but the elaborate shenanigans in the second part are in his style of the "Pitbull" movies - faster-paced, raw and brutal. Good club music at times. The whole thing presents the backstage of the gang scene: a drug lord losing his teenage daughter to a drug addiction, a gangster's wife falling into alcoholism, cold-blooded murders, sex violence as a means of control used by criminals and law enforcement alike. Quite grim. Apparently based on facts.
BLACKMAIL
Watchable. Bollywood guarantees decent music. It's a comedy which turns darker and darker. One of the first gags is when the protagonist rings a call centre. First he's something like 43rd in the queue, then you see the distance he covers by car while being put on hold. When he gets home and his call gets answered... the line breaks up. Towards the finale a killer can't get blood off his hands due to a break in water supply which is too grisly to evoke laughter. The lead's murder fantasies are not funny either. Poor acting further fails to deliver the humour in the otherwise smart and engaging script.
PETER RABBIT
Recommended again. It hasn't been officially released as yet (in Poland anyway) but I've seen it twice already. The CGIs are amazing: rabbits make different faces and have meticulously created furs. I'm impressed. The rabbits are so cute you just want to reach out, grab them from the screen and cuddle. Alternatively cuddle the hottie Domhnall Gleeson. Great attention has been paid to details, e.g. a paintbrush in the artist's hair. Hilarious exchanges, e.g. "So, do you work here?" "Can't you see I'm thinking?!" The rabbits have funny faces when they watch Bea and Thomas together. And even minor parts, like those of the house buyers, are acted masterfully.
Watchable. Prolonged, lyrical love sequences in the first hour are tedious and unlike Vega but the elaborate shenanigans in the second part are in his style of the "Pitbull" movies - faster-paced, raw and brutal. Good club music at times. The whole thing presents the backstage of the gang scene: a drug lord losing his teenage daughter to a drug addiction, a gangster's wife falling into alcoholism, cold-blooded murders, sex violence as a means of control used by criminals and law enforcement alike. Quite grim. Apparently based on facts.
BLACKMAIL
Watchable. Bollywood guarantees decent music. It's a comedy which turns darker and darker. One of the first gags is when the protagonist rings a call centre. First he's something like 43rd in the queue, then you see the distance he covers by car while being put on hold. When he gets home and his call gets answered... the line breaks up. Towards the finale a killer can't get blood off his hands due to a break in water supply which is too grisly to evoke laughter. The lead's murder fantasies are not funny either. Poor acting further fails to deliver the humour in the otherwise smart and engaging script.
PETER RABBIT
Recommended again. It hasn't been officially released as yet (in Poland anyway) but I've seen it twice already. The CGIs are amazing: rabbits make different faces and have meticulously created furs. I'm impressed. The rabbits are so cute you just want to reach out, grab them from the screen and cuddle. Alternatively cuddle the hottie Domhnall Gleeson. Great attention has been paid to details, e.g. a paintbrush in the artist's hair. Hilarious exchanges, e.g. "So, do you work here?" "Can't you see I'm thinking?!" The rabbits have funny faces when they watch Bea and Thomas together. And even minor parts, like those of the house buyers, are acted masterfully.
Saturday, 7 April 2018
24. WIOSNA FILMOW (24TH FILM SPRING FESTIVAL)
The festival is starting shortly and I've had a chance to preview:
AU REVOIR LA-HAUT (SEE YOU UP THERE)
Watchable. Based on a similar concept as "Frantz": taking up a deceased soldier's identity so it feels like a repetition, especially that it's shown in predominantly brown hues. Additionally one of the main protagonists is an artist which makes things weird or partly colourised interchangeably. The intrigue-focused plot rewards you storywise.
CINEMA ITALIA OGGI 2018
The Italian cinema screening started two nights ago.
MADE IN ITALY
Watchable. Made by Luciano Ligabue so features plenty of his songs which provide a great soundtrack. The ear-catching music and beautiful cityskapes are contrasted with a constant crisis both in the protagonists' relationship and an economic one: unemployment, demonstrations, an 8 months' wait for a scan on national healthcare. Tiring to watch.
The female lead, Kasia Smutniak, asked about her Italian and living in Italy, said she was "like cockroaches" since "nothing will kill her, she'll adjust to anything."
9. PRZEGLAD NOWEGO KINA FRANCUSKIEGO (THE 9TH NEW FRENCH CINEMA SCREENING)
Going to start this month too.
BARBARA
Walked out. Old-fashioned and on the philosophical side. About day-to-day work of some former local French singer/actress. Presented French-way: meaningless, accidental excerpts from her life, just the daily grind. Felt like watching paint dry.
PITBULL. OSTATNI PIES (PITBULL. THE LAST DOG)
Recommended this time. You have to watch carefully to get the whole plot. But what a heist it is! And the other intrigues! Very Vega-like, hard to recognise Pasikowski's direction. You don't know who-done-it till the very end of each subplot. Distinctive characters, extremely well acted, especially by Doda, Marcin Dorocinski, Cezary Pazura and the cameo of Zbigniew Zamachowski as homeless Gawelek. With strong and spot-on one-liners.
The festival is starting shortly and I've had a chance to preview:
AU REVOIR LA-HAUT (SEE YOU UP THERE)
Watchable. Based on a similar concept as "Frantz": taking up a deceased soldier's identity so it feels like a repetition, especially that it's shown in predominantly brown hues. Additionally one of the main protagonists is an artist which makes things weird or partly colourised interchangeably. The intrigue-focused plot rewards you storywise.
CINEMA ITALIA OGGI 2018
The Italian cinema screening started two nights ago.
MADE IN ITALY
Watchable. Made by Luciano Ligabue so features plenty of his songs which provide a great soundtrack. The ear-catching music and beautiful cityskapes are contrasted with a constant crisis both in the protagonists' relationship and an economic one: unemployment, demonstrations, an 8 months' wait for a scan on national healthcare. Tiring to watch.
The female lead, Kasia Smutniak, asked about her Italian and living in Italy, said she was "like cockroaches" since "nothing will kill her, she'll adjust to anything."
9. PRZEGLAD NOWEGO KINA FRANCUSKIEGO (THE 9TH NEW FRENCH CINEMA SCREENING)
Going to start this month too.
BARBARA
Walked out. Old-fashioned and on the philosophical side. About day-to-day work of some former local French singer/actress. Presented French-way: meaningless, accidental excerpts from her life, just the daily grind. Felt like watching paint dry.
PITBULL. OSTATNI PIES (PITBULL. THE LAST DOG)
Recommended this time. You have to watch carefully to get the whole plot. But what a heist it is! And the other intrigues! Very Vega-like, hard to recognise Pasikowski's direction. You don't know who-done-it till the very end of each subplot. Distinctive characters, extremely well acted, especially by Doda, Marcin Dorocinski, Cezary Pazura and the cameo of Zbigniew Zamachowski as homeless Gawelek. With strong and spot-on one-liners.
Thursday, 5 April 2018
NORMANDIE NUE
Watchable. Relatively little actual nudity. Instead it's naked Normandy. The planned nude photo shoot takes off a layer after layer of the lovely village revealing old feuds, psychological issues, passions, forgotten talents as well as unlikely friendships. It's a charming tale about village life, told with a pinch of salt, e.g. the town mayor is so preoccupied with canvassing at a wedding that after his speech he invites guests to raise a toast forgetting to... join them in marriage. The film tempers the otherwise unsettling issues treating the inhabitants with warmth and leniency.
BASIA
Watchable. Psychologically true and adequate. Perfectly appropriate for the children from the age of 4 it's been made for. This is really how nursery age kids think and behave when they're getting to know the world. The parents and grandparents are true to life too, e.g. dad telling his children to get up at 6 a.m. and oversleeping himself. As for me, I'd rather it were funnier. Little children and their parents may like it more.
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING 3D
Watchable. Fun. Doesn't require thinking but doesn't insult your intelligence either. Decent 3D but not a must. Very good sound effects and music. A lot of Chinese spoken probably for the mass Chinese audience potential. I'm not a fan of Transformers-like machines but here, with the monsters emerging from the ocean and the said sound the action was surprisingly enjoyable. In the next part they are "going to them" so that's quite promising.
Watchable. Relatively little actual nudity. Instead it's naked Normandy. The planned nude photo shoot takes off a layer after layer of the lovely village revealing old feuds, psychological issues, passions, forgotten talents as well as unlikely friendships. It's a charming tale about village life, told with a pinch of salt, e.g. the town mayor is so preoccupied with canvassing at a wedding that after his speech he invites guests to raise a toast forgetting to... join them in marriage. The film tempers the otherwise unsettling issues treating the inhabitants with warmth and leniency.
BASIA
Watchable. Psychologically true and adequate. Perfectly appropriate for the children from the age of 4 it's been made for. This is really how nursery age kids think and behave when they're getting to know the world. The parents and grandparents are true to life too, e.g. dad telling his children to get up at 6 a.m. and oversleeping himself. As for me, I'd rather it were funnier. Little children and their parents may like it more.
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING 3D
Watchable. Fun. Doesn't require thinking but doesn't insult your intelligence either. Decent 3D but not a must. Very good sound effects and music. A lot of Chinese spoken probably for the mass Chinese audience potential. I'm not a fan of Transformers-like machines but here, with the monsters emerging from the ocean and the said sound the action was surprisingly enjoyable. In the next part they are "going to them" so that's quite promising.
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
SHERLOCK GNOMES
Watchable. Targeted at children from the age of 6 but: with lines like the derogatory sounding "you're acting like a 3-year-old", with lots of extra scenes inserted in the main plot and with weird animation. It also introduces children to London and Sherlock Holmes at an early age. The city looks delighful - like the real one enhanced with vivid colours. The characters look like china dolls but in the inserted scenes some are rag toys and Sherlock Gnomes' thoughts are geometric and black and white. Most dialogues sound forced with an odd witty line, e.g. "The police said they knew nothing about missing gnomes, asked not to call again and changed their phone number" and an occasional clever one, e.g. "A guy won't make you stronger." "A supportive one will." There's 80s music aplenty, with nearly all songs co-written by Elton John who... has produced the cartoon feature. There's a post credit but it's stupid and not worth waiting for. In Poland lousy translation of the dialogues and the title, together with dubbing - in the original by famous actors sounding like they should in a children's tale, in Polish by nobodies with wrong voices and chavish intonation - ruin the movie.
Watchable. Targeted at children from the age of 6 but: with lines like the derogatory sounding "you're acting like a 3-year-old", with lots of extra scenes inserted in the main plot and with weird animation. It also introduces children to London and Sherlock Holmes at an early age. The city looks delighful - like the real one enhanced with vivid colours. The characters look like china dolls but in the inserted scenes some are rag toys and Sherlock Gnomes' thoughts are geometric and black and white. Most dialogues sound forced with an odd witty line, e.g. "The police said they knew nothing about missing gnomes, asked not to call again and changed their phone number" and an occasional clever one, e.g. "A guy won't make you stronger." "A supportive one will." There's 80s music aplenty, with nearly all songs co-written by Elton John who... has produced the cartoon feature. There's a post credit but it's stupid and not worth waiting for. In Poland lousy translation of the dialogues and the title, together with dubbing - in the original by famous actors sounding like they should in a children's tale, in Polish by nobodies with wrong voices and chavish intonation - ruin the movie.
TOMB RAIDER
Watchable. Gosh, is Alicia Vikander muscled! The 2001 and 2003 "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" movies were hogwash full of improbabilities. Technology has since moved on. But the movie's just like the previous. OK, the bits with her dad are touching and all the good characters are likeable but the plot is nonsense, e.g. in spite of training MMA she's unable to defend herself against a knife. All the goodies and baddies are acted well. But the CGIs look like 20 years ago. I saw it in 2D and the little action that there was implies 3D wouldn't make much difference. The plot's so run-of-the-mill I was looking forward to the finale. The ending is neat. The title typography with an arrow in it and the music over the credits are really good. No mid- or post-credits.
I have since checked out the 3D on this movie and just like I expected it makes just a minor difference.
Watchable. Gosh, is Alicia Vikander muscled! The 2001 and 2003 "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" movies were hogwash full of improbabilities. Technology has since moved on. But the movie's just like the previous. OK, the bits with her dad are touching and all the good characters are likeable but the plot is nonsense, e.g. in spite of training MMA she's unable to defend herself against a knife. All the goodies and baddies are acted well. But the CGIs look like 20 years ago. I saw it in 2D and the little action that there was implies 3D wouldn't make much difference. The plot's so run-of-the-mill I was looking forward to the finale. The ending is neat. The title typography with an arrow in it and the music over the credits are really good. No mid- or post-credits.
I have since checked out the 3D on this movie and just like I expected it makes just a minor difference.
Saturday, 31 March 2018
على كف عفريت (BEAUTY AND THE DOGS)
Recommended. It happened in Tunisia. But could be anywhere. A hard-hitting story which is so realistic I was not surprised to read at the end it was inspired by real events. It takes you step by step through the night when the crime took place: from just before, skipping the actual rape, throughout the aftermath. You just want her ordeal to end, expect somebody will save her but that's not going to happen. All her hopes get taken away one by one. But in the course of the night she finds enough inner strength to survive. The protagonists' names: Maryam and Youssuf refer us both to Christianity, like indicated in the film where the names are perceived as anti-Muslim, and to the Quran which constitutes the second bottom of the tale. She could be the holy mother of the prophet, who was also persecuted, though in different ways. And, like in the Sura of Yusuf in the Quran, Youssuf gets falsely accused and jailed. Is he a prophet too?PETER RABBIT
Recommended. It's going to be the hit of the spring. I was laughing my head off. The best comedy I've seen in a long time. Exceptionally good translation and dubbing in Polish bring out the wit in: "I got carried away a bit. The way it happens at war", "I think I broke my rib. How many ribs do rabbits have?" or "She keeps baring her teeth at him. For them it means she likes him." (I'm translating 'back' into English from Polish now so the original may vary slightly) Electrocution and demolition are hilarious. Plenty of cheerful pop music of the like of "We No Speak Americano". Top-notch animation - the furs look like real and all the creatures are downright cute. The scene with an apologetic rabbit looking like a beaten dog grabs your heart. Domhnall Gleeson has such sexy eyes he looks smoking hot even with his hair dyed brown. Filmed in New South Wales, Australia - strangely the down under makes for the English countryside. Ends in mid-credits with the store scene being the last one.
불한당: 나쁜 놈들의 세상 (THE MERCILESS)
Watchable. Follows the standard pattern of Korean crime movies, with an obligatory scene of extremely cruel torture and with even the same two actors as usual: Im Si-wan and Sol Kyung-gu.
THELMA
Watchable. Image one: a father and a child walking on ice under which fish are visible. Scene two: the father attempts to shoot his daughter. Shot three: the movie title flickers. The final pieces of the puzzle are handed in to the viewer only towards the end. It's about how family curb your uniqueness and how, in this case, religion is the means. Outstanding cinematography with several great shots of otherwise mundane places. Decent ambient electronic music. Feels a bit lengthy though, in spite of being just under two hours.
GRAND FROID
Watchable. This dark comedy about an undertaker facing bankruptcy would be funnier if only it weren't so drowsy. It has some amusing bits, e.g. when an old lady gets nearly run over by a truck and he's waiting to see if she gets killed. But it's mostly just a slow, quiet tale about a few likeable losers.
As I was sitting waiting for the screening I overheard some marvellous - it was "The Post". The music by John Williams is great even on its own.
Friday, 30 March 2018
I AM NOT A WITCH
Watchable. A heart-wrenching tale of a little girl accused of witchcraft. An apt portrayal of African villagers' mentality. Unfortunately the 90 minutes drag. And what ruins the movie is Vivaldi. Some African songs are sung as well. But the loud "Four Seasons" pieces are completely out of place. Both the volume of the music and it being a European classic.
FRANCOPHONIE FESTIVAL
LE TEMPS D'ANNA (ANNA'S TIME)
Watchable. A Swiss love story between a young watch-making entrepreneur and his schizophrenic wife. Clear-cut, well acted but nothing more than a romantic tale.
BARRAGE
Walked out. A mother returns to Luxembourg after a long time abroad and attempts to reconnect with her school age daughter which is awkward and boring. Additionally disturbingly their dog gets killed.
Watchable. A heart-wrenching tale of a little girl accused of witchcraft. An apt portrayal of African villagers' mentality. Unfortunately the 90 minutes drag. And what ruins the movie is Vivaldi. Some African songs are sung as well. But the loud "Four Seasons" pieces are completely out of place. Both the volume of the music and it being a European classic.
FRANCOPHONIE FESTIVAL
LE TEMPS D'ANNA (ANNA'S TIME)
Watchable. A Swiss love story between a young watch-making entrepreneur and his schizophrenic wife. Clear-cut, well acted but nothing more than a romantic tale.
BARRAGE
Walked out. A mother returns to Luxembourg after a long time abroad and attempts to reconnect with her school age daughter which is awkward and boring. Additionally disturbingly their dog gets killed.
Thursday, 29 March 2018
DIE GÖTTLICHE ORDNUNG (THE DIVINE ORDER)
Watchable. It harks back to the times when Swiss women were fighting for voting rights - only to be won as late as 1981-1990 depending on cantons. Hard to believe, though it appears to be based on facts, that in the 1970s there were still women, living with their husbands and sometimes even children, who never had orgasms. At first that seems a trivial and awkward episode in the story but that's how far their rights were neglected. They lived with guys even though they didn't satisfy them. While the world has gone a long way since then, their struggle and mass protests resemble much those we experience now in Poland. The spite and aggression, both from most men and some women, are just the same. It was interesting to see the process of the social change when women stopped cooking and cleaning and went to work. But the story lacks suspense. It's only for people interested in women's rights outside the cinema as well.Wednesday, 28 March 2018
LOVE, SIMON
Recommended. I laughed and cried, often at the same time. Nick Robinson is so cute as Simon you immediately symphatise with him. The movie's high school flick for teenagers and their parents and everyone else. Plenty of comical scenes, e.g. a teenage couple dancing and the girl says: "You know, I'm really in love with you." "Really?! I'll be right back" and then he texts: "Get me out of here, please. Kids are drinking alcohol." "OMG. I'll be right there. Mum". The school vice principal and the drama teacher (Tony Hale and Natasha Rothwell) are brilliant too. All of high school age mishaps do happen and make you laugh out loud. And the wait for Simon's love's identity to be revealed creates perfect suspense. Good pop music blends in the picture. The initial breakfast and final breakfast fasten the story.
Recommended. I laughed and cried, often at the same time. Nick Robinson is so cute as Simon you immediately symphatise with him. The movie's high school flick for teenagers and their parents and everyone else. Plenty of comical scenes, e.g. a teenage couple dancing and the girl says: "You know, I'm really in love with you." "Really?! I'll be right back" and then he texts: "Get me out of here, please. Kids are drinking alcohol." "OMG. I'll be right there. Mum". The school vice principal and the drama teacher (Tony Hale and Natasha Rothwell) are brilliant too. All of high school age mishaps do happen and make you laugh out loud. And the wait for Simon's love's identity to be revealed creates perfect suspense. Good pop music blends in the picture. The initial breakfast and final breakfast fasten the story.
Tuesday, 27 March 2018
RED SPARROW
Watchable. Espionage-wise the storyline's well-structured, intense, gripping, with good twists of action and no loose ends. Yet it feels heavy. The whore-training is disturbing, then come tortures and then even more brutal torture. And I'm not into naked Jennifer Lawerence. Judging by the ending a sequel is likely.
Watchable. Espionage-wise the storyline's well-structured, intense, gripping, with good twists of action and no loose ends. Yet it feels heavy. The whore-training is disturbing, then come tortures and then even more brutal torture. And I'm not into naked Jennifer Lawerence. Judging by the ending a sequel is likely.
EARTH: ONE AMAZING DAY
Watchable. Standard BBC Earth with some curious facts and amazing shots, e.g. narwhals swimming through an ice canal, bamboo growing at the speed of 1 millimetre per minute, cute panda bears and raccoons, sperm whales sleeping floating vertically in the ocean, plants, creatures and their webs glowing in the dark, giraffes fighting with their necks and the defeated male leaving with a tear in his eye. Narrated by Robert Redford which gets lost in the Polish dubbing.
Watchable. Standard BBC Earth with some curious facts and amazing shots, e.g. narwhals swimming through an ice canal, bamboo growing at the speed of 1 millimetre per minute, cute panda bears and raccoons, sperm whales sleeping floating vertically in the ocean, plants, creatures and their webs glowing in the dark, giraffes fighting with their necks and the defeated male leaving with a tear in his eye. Narrated by Robert Redford which gets lost in the Polish dubbing.
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