a most violent year

oscar isaac has been on my viewing horizon a bit lately
ex machina, 2 faces of january, in secret, inside llewyn davis
always impressive and one of those who owns their character
so not much hesitation in adding this one to the must-see list
the man seen on an early morning run on new york streets
the scene is set - it is bleak and he is in the waterfront district
next - a couple of late model mercs pull up to an armoured car
out steps abel morales (isaac) wearing a very sharp mustard coat
his beautiful wife anna (jessica chastain) is similarly well attired
it is 1981 - a statement of intent made with the cars and fashion
a couple of suitcases change hands - abel takes ownership
he confers with anna - you sure about this? - yes let's do it
abel and his lawyer then enter a relocatable container office
inside they are negotiating with an elderly jewish man and sons
they own a large abandoned waterfront property with fuel tanks
owning that would give abel the step up he needs - a deposit paid
he has 30 days to find the rest of the cash or it goes to his competitors
cut to a large fuel truck passing through a tollway - the driver attacked
dragged from his truck, savagely beaten and the truck and fuel stolen
one of abel's trucks and he then seen visiting the driver in hospital
abel seems compassionate - at home that night anna is concerned
she the daughter of the mobster who previously owned the business
so from that presumably street-wise - he pleads for her to stay calm
soon enough though a night intruder is interrupted at their own home
abel chases him off - just a punk - next day his daughter has a gun
found outside - loaded and safety catch off - anna goes nuts at abel
that was no punk - that was a goon -  i.e. working for a mobster
she sees it as a state of war and demands to arm all the drivers
abel is wanting to do things by the book and calms her down
she relinquishes to his tenderness and we then breathe easy
this is a fine film - gritty as hell but with it very authentic
everything about it seems early eighties but subtle not overt
the (black) d a is on abel's case too as part of a cleanup
seems the home fuel industry is in line for some attention
the beautiful couple seen out one night at a charity dinner
on the way home their car strikes a deer on a back road
it is severely maimed and anna demands able finish it off
he finds a hammer and before he strikes she shoots it dead
he is quietly furious leading to an intense argument at home
the gun is illegal and has no permit - not his modus operandi
it's despairing to see them fight but their love soon interrupts
and again - thinking - great acting - great directing - great film
meanwhile their fuel trucks continue to be sabotaged or stolen
leading to their usually loyal bank withdrawing their line of credit
the 30 day deadline is looming so other means of finance required
it is apparant one of abel's competitors is behind the sabotages
they are all asked to a meeting where he says a few smart words
stop - just stop - have some pride in the way you do business
shortly after abel hears of a nearby hi-jacking that he then pursues
so the mandatory truck/car chase in the streets of new york happens
then onto a train as he pursues the driver after the truck is crashed
he finally catches him but stops short of maiming or killing him
let's him go but gets the information he needs as the thief runs off
he then confronts the responsible competitor and demands payment
that or the fbi will be contacted - payment is then agreed and secured
at home anna confesses to having fleeced the company for many years
security for her and the kids she says - he of course is infuriated
but reality overcomes that and he is grateful for her foresight
the deal is closed and the final scenes as good as any others
standing on the property and a handshake from the d a
suggesting political office should be considered
and advising he would be with him all the way
that seems realistic enough - cool ending - cool film...

tale of tales

wild tales - the closing night film for nziff 2014
what a hoot - 6 short films of revenge from argentina
this year another set of tales intertwined for the closing night
and again deliberately little known about the film pre-screening
the opening scene - the camera follows a boy with a mop of red hair
could be anywhere, anytime as he walks amongst circus performers
more of them seen inside laying on entertainment to a king and queen
john c riley and salma hayek playing the rather bored looking couple
at least until one of the dancers inadvertently reveals her pregnancy
the alarmed queen bolts for it and is pursued by the concerned king
in private he consoles her as she despairs about their lack of children
a rasputin type character then advises the king how to solve the problem
kill a sea serpent, remove it's heart and a maid must cook it for his queen
the film then heads off to fantasy land with strange scenes on the seabed
the king in a diver dan suit spearing a monster fish that strikes him back
he dies on the shore but not before cutting out the creature's huge heart
the maid cooks it up and the queen then seen tucking into it - gross
many years later the queen is chasing her son inside a garden maze
he himself pursuing his friend and son of a maid  - identical albinos
the maid who cooked the heart and the queen eating it each have sons
then a complete change with a pair of passionate and topless women
in a carriage - a moustached man then reveals himself down below
crikey this may be a film based on italian fables but it is r rated
seems he is a king also with scenes following of his lustful ways
any woman anywhere and then entranced by a beautiful voice
heard coming from the village adjoining his hilltop castle
he finds the house and insists on meeting the lady of the voice
we know she is an old and wizened woman living with her sister
through a closed door she promises to come to his chambers at night
this all seems to happen in the same castle as the earlier scenes
part 3 then starts up - another king (toby jones) being entertained
his teenage daughter is singing but the king is distracted by fleas
she not happy about that nor that her whole live is castle bound
in his own quarters her father has a secret - he has a flea as a pet
which grows and grows to the size of a sheep - though uglier
i now realise this is one of the strangest films i have ever seen
but i like it - especially as the film seems to be true to the fables
or i assume so - it feels oldy worldy even with the use of cgi
having started the thread of 3 stories the film then mixes it up
the albino lookalikes are forced apart with the royal one leaving
and with that the film then moving out of the castle to the woods
strange encounters a-plenty and the friends eventually reconciled
the lusty king has his way with the singer - at night in darkness
he awakes to see an old woman beside him - she is hurled out
falling through a window to the woods and then transforming
becoming a beautiful woman and then marrying the king
the other king's flea dies and is skinned for a competition
the man that names this skin shall have my daughter's hand
thinking a clever man will win but not so - an ogre claims her
and carts her off to his mountain lair - me thinking - ah - shrek
more strange scenes as she is rescued by a troupe of performers
but the ogre tracks them down, kills them and reclaims his princess
in a moment of affection she slices his throat and escapes again
returns to the castle and her despondent father - he abdicates
and in the final celebratory scenes the 3 stories are connected
still thinking that is the strangest film i have ever watched
but with that an appreciation of the sheer artistry of it all
and a director with clear respect for the original fables
another fantastic ending for another wonderful nziff...

clouds of sils maria

been looking forward to seeing this one for a year
saw it in small screen mode on a busy long-haul flight
which counts for nothing except a want to see it 'properly'
so very happy to see it listed in the program for nziff 2015
it's on the biggest screen with the best sound so centre seated
juliet binoche is one of those stars with an impeccable record
a thousand times goodnight last seen - female suicide bombers
here she teams up with kristen stewart no doubt looking for a break
too much time in the twilight (films) so let's see how good she is
the film opens on a train in switzerland - ah familiarity is good
the main lady is playing maria enders who is a famous actor
kristen stewart is playing valentine her personal assistant
she seen juggling phones and phone calls in the moving train
consultation with maria as necessary for her input on issues
their conversation revealing the reason for their trip to zurich
maria is to talk at a ceremony honouring a famous director
he making her famous in a play 20 years prior about 2 women
maria played sigrid who has an affair with a older woman helena
seems helena is used by sigrid which leads to helena's suicide
ok noted - and also noted - the 3 levels of female relationships
juliette and kristen, maria and valentine, helena and sigrid
and in each case a significant age difference is in the mix
moving on - a phone call reveals that the director has died
so the celebration becomes a wake at which maria is the star
begrudgingly sharing the stage with a fellow actor and ex-lover
afterwards she is approached by a famous contemporary director
he wants to resurrect the play with maria now as the older helena
at first she resists but eventually she agrees to take on the challenge
the next day in the swiss alps maria and valentine visit the new widow
she is heading away so offers them her house for an indefinite period
perfect for maria to rehearse the play and an idyllic place to stay also
a walk in the alps overlooking a lake and snake-like cloud formation
the town is sils maria - the clouds (and play) known as the maloja snake
all good so far and all very nicely set up and relationships well defined
most enjoyable is the interplay between ms binoche and ms stewart
more so as kristen/valentine role-plays sigrid to juliet/maria as helena
very clever acting and directing going on to keep the roles distinct
intriguing too - close relationships being teased out on three levels
as we get comfortable with that a further female element is added
the director has engaged a famous young actor for the role of sigrid
jo-anne ellis is a superstar of her generation due to megahit films
ah clever - an actor revered and made famous like - kristen stewart
more multi-level acting going on as they all meet up for a love-in
maria (binoche), valentine (stewart) and jo-anne (chloe grace moretz)
art imitates life imitates art as they fawn over each other's careers
there are more complications with jo-anne having a secret affair
valentine similarly is conducting an affair with a photographer
maria maternally looks on and recalls her own sad love-life
valentine grows anxious about maria's dependence on her
this juxtaposed as they role-play the lovers in the play
then one day on a walk in the alps valentine disappears
we cut to several weeks later and it's opening night
a full house and maria ready to appear as helena
last-minute advice to jo-anne in her role as sigrid
but rejected - ok - all manner of significance there
the end - bravo - juliette binoche has done it again
the film itself full of actual and implied relationships
but so well acted and directed to make it quite absorbing
picked up all sorts of awards too including for kristen stewart
which kind of makes the film bleed over into reality - like that...

cemetery of splendour

the great thing about film festivals is the diversity on offer
the opportunity to take a risk on a film not likely to see otherwise
this one fits the bill - a film from thailand with narcolepsy a theme
sleeping sickness - the tendency to fall asleep in relaxed surroundings
the program suggesting the film itself is so gentle that could happen
so for me - it's strong black coffee at hand as i settle in for 2 hours
as the credits roll on a black background machinery can be heard
the opening scene showing diggers at work with soldiers watching
an army truck backs up presumably to be loaded up with excavations
that would be the the ancient cemetery standing in the way of progress
from inside a neighbouring building we see young men lying on beds
a middle-aged woman with a distinctive limp then enters the room
jenjira is greeted as an old friend and workmate of the senior nurse
their conversation used to explain the men have sleeping sickness
(with later reading revealing they were workers on the excavation)
the tone of the film is established - slow and gentle with little dialogue
long and wide camera shots and minimal camera or character movement
a young lady - keng - comes to visit the patients and befriends jenjira
keng says she has the powers of a medium she uses to contact patients
we watch and wait as the 2 ladies sit alongside men laying still on beds
not much talking, not much action, not much anything but very serene
a sense of calm and relaxation moving from the screen to the audience
me - very happy to slump back in my seat and let it all wash over me
the 2 friends move around the confines of the make-shift hospital
they are seen praying and talking at a typical (tacky) prayer station
jenjira talks about her american husband whom she recently married
keng talks about the 2 princesses seen as statues in front of them
(later reading also revealing the excavation is of an ancient temple)
and soon after 2 attractive women join the pair in conversation
a suggestion that they are the princesses now in modern clothing
and with that the film moves into a surreal and quite mystical mode
at times not knowing whether we are seeing reality or some illusion
reality presents itself as bright coloured neon tubes next to each bed
this to assist in rousing the soldiers with the room oddly illuminated
and arousal happens - the ladies giggling at one soldier's erection
the mystical is presented as keng guides jenjira around the temple
they conversing as though they are present many centuries earlier
in an outdoor setting the friends talk more about modern issues
jenjira a victim of polio and struggling with pain in her legs
keng then providing a massage of limbs clearly disfigured
as the scenes roll by i find myself quite becalmed by it all
there's no such thing as a 'narrative arc' with this film
but the biggest surprise for me - the ending - it just stops
ok with that but i'd be surprised if 2 hours have elapsed
a check of the watch confirms that - did i fall asleep - no?
and recalling a warning that this film can totally absorb
i'm going with that - so happy to have given the time...

enchanted kingdom 3d

it's hard to resist a good quality 3d film on a big screen
this one delivering on all 3 counts so an easy decision
saturday morning in a large cinema and the kids are in
a few big kids too apart from many dads doing duties
the film itself the latest from a well established team
responsible for the bbc dinosaur and earth tv series
it opens in a busy city - london i think - rain and sun
children happily frolicking and the narrator starts up
telling us nature is everywhere - all around us - always
the voice a little bit preach-y but more likely kid-friendly
idris alba the man doing the duties - the wire and mandela
i'm trying not to think of david attenborough but well - damn
the adventure proper begins in the enchanted kingdom of africa
the base of a lush rainforest and the camera is in macro mode
ants - literally millions of them scurrying across the forest floor
the detail is incredible with nature stunningly enhanced in 3d
kids - what kids - this is clearly going to be a film for all
we then move on to be with a family of razorback gorillas
spending enough time there to appreciate their idyllic lives
they play, they mate and all the food they need is at hand
how the camera crew ever got so embedded is a mystery
especially with the large male watching over all the others
and the baby ones cavorting and teasing each other - cute!
could spend a whole film in the midst of all this - moving on
we stop off at a lake of water so salty there is no life supported
except for a tiny plankton type creature sought after by one bird
the flamingo - swarms of them with beaks in the water sucking up
and the more they eat the pinker they get - and then - mating begins
strange dances seen as each bird selects a life mate to continue the cycle
we then plunge into the deep ocean offshore and hang with lion-fish
beautiful colours seen in this other world with no end of wonder
moray eels, turtles, huge schools of fish and sunlight on coral
'ride the penetrating sunlight up to the heavens' implores alba
a sort of tacky way of transitioning to the top of mount kenya
but a minor quibble in this otherwise totally absorbing film
up there we cavort with a herd of mountain-top primates
exposed peaks with the coldest of nights and hottest of days
in the kalahari desert macro photography is once again in use
each grain of sand and rare living creatures shown in full detail
a tiny lizard takes centre stage as it dances to keep it's feet cool
a close-up of a submerged python using it's tail to entice a victim
water then a focus of the film with a herd of elephants in search
cute baby elephants drawing audible approval from the audience
but not to get too cosy we then see the migrating wilderbeests
a river crossing and the familiar danger of lurking crocodiles
seen before but not as here in stunning 3d at such close proximity
a moment to reflect on the sure danger of the cameramen's work
harrowing scenes of huge crocodiles taking down wilderbeests
done in such a way to again demonstrate the balance of nature
and before long we are full circle back on the rainy city street
the children playing in the rain and idris alba wrapping up
reminding us of the target audience for this wonder-film
though us big kids totally amazed by this nature spectacle
very happy to have indulged in this special nziff showing

ex machina

been looking forward to some science fiction at nziff 2015
though actually this film not too far removed from current reality
as in it features a robot with advanced ai interacting with humans
but before that the scene is set - a young man is in a busy office
an email arrives - eureka - he has won the prize - workmates gather
he is ushered to a waiting black jet helicopter and is whisked away
deposited in a field and told to follow the river - you can't miss it
before long he comes across a luxury home overlooking the river
passes the advanced security system and is then inside the house
stunning - lots of glass and steel and views of the river and bush
on the deck a bearded man is working out - introductions are made
he - nathan - developer of a search engine with 94% global penetration
his guest - caleb - one of his employees and selected to win the prize
nathan admitting caleb's skills, personality and background perfect
his mission is to perform the turing test on a newly developed robot
that test to see if it exhibits behaviour indistinguishable to a human
i'm excited - the scene is set for what should be a fascinating film
'ava encounter number 1' is then announced in text on the screen
caleb in a room and an attractive young female is asking his name
he replies and asks her - ava - and natural sounding banter follows
ava the robot is a fine figure of a female - but with opaque limbs
and here we are asked to stretch our imaginations quite a lot
we know there's an actor and cgi combining as ava the robot
caleb meanwhile is conscious of doing his job - the turing test
his first impressions are - wow - but not us - she is a human
thinking - i look forward to a film with an actual ai machine
and - maybe this is not going to be as good as promised
more so as the attempts to provide authenticity fall flat
in a workshop we see odd shaped objects on bench tops
nathan picks up a piece of opaque plastic and says it's a brain
very average props actually and no sign of any high-tech stuff
even the dialogue does nothing to convince that nathan is a genius
and also - he is constantly downing beer, vodka, whiskey or wine
he has a japanese woman waiting on him - hmmm - or a robot?
strange things happen at night - power cuts and cctv voyeurism
the sessions continue with caleb who of course falls for her
she announcing her dream to stand on a city street corner
having never seen the outside world - will you help me caleb?
nathan is watching every interaction and warns of her motives
want to fuck her? you can - there are sensors in the right places
and advising she will be turned off and updated soon enough
so far - concept - great - delivery - na - interest level - waning
and the big climax - caleb has hacked into the security system
allowing ava to escape but she turns on both caleb and nathan
the maker is stabbed to death and caleb is locked in a room
she (it) walks out to freedom, blue sky, and well who knows
so in the end - yep - the turing test has been passed convincingly
kind of liked the ending - a good twist - kind of liked it all really
though the concept delivered like a late model dr who episode
not a bad thing - just short of a fully impressive sci-fi flick...

lambert and stamp

yes well never was a big fan of the who except for one song
magic bus - live at leeds - guitars and amps ramped up to the max
but nothing beats a good bio-pic - more so music related so it's on
there's a white-haired chap on screen talking about the 1960's
bright shirt and tie, sounding very english  - chris stamp it is
half of the subject of the film and talking about the other half
kit lambert spoken of in the past tense so he obviously deceased
and a bit of a surprise - actor terence stamp also says a few words
brother of chris and a sense of his presence adding some credibility
admittedly 'lambert and stamp' is a partnership i had not heard of
and a suspicion this film more about hype than history but let's see
some screen time spent explaining how the partnership came about
kit lambert the son of a famous classical composer and conductor
but wanting to make his own mark on the world as a film director
footage shown of him on a risky adventure on the amazon river
the death of one of his companions leads to kit hitting the news
soon after a chance encounter with film fan chris stamp in a pub
a decision on that day for them to work together on a feature film
and the subject already determined - the making of a rock group
so next - let's find a suitable band already formed and available
the high numbers are spotted and seem to have the components
a small but loyal following, skill and most imporantly - presence
they also ambitious though naive so agree to the duo as managers
naivety all around really with no-one with any prior experience
first - change of name - the band now the who maximum r&b
but too much of a mouthful and abbreviated to simply the who
pete townshend now seen talking fondly about the good old days
and with that an obvious respect for his bandmates and managers
particularly with the duo funding the band for their formative years
and kit lambert housing pete townshend in his luxury earls court home
success eventually with hit songs for the who and with that cash flow
lambert and stamp then confidently moving on to start a record label
track records - the first independent label not associated with a major
and the hits keep coming - arthur brown, hendrix, thunderclap newman
the lads have hit the big time - there's even a track records helicopter
but no sign of the film as originally intended - and an unhappy band
pete townshend in particular voicing his feelings of abandonment
but still musically motivated enough to produce the tommy opera
a huge commercial step up for the who despite management issues
kit lambert has relocated to vienna where he was conceived he thinks
some interesting footage of that city at that time - then off to the usa
he is drawn to hollywood and all that goes with it - hard drugs mainly
keith moon also relocated there and some time spent on his untimely death
the film now concentrating on the price of fame and fortune for them all
roger daltry also popping up in a few interviews with pete townshend
he surprisingly low-key and townshend cutting him lots of slack
all kind of interesting but i'm thinking it's all a beat-up really
lambert and stamp - they are not exactly a household name
riding on the coattails of success of the band they pushed
this film of more interest about the band than them
maybe that is the point - milk it for all it's worth
still - glad to have seen it to plug a few gaps...

black souls

another italian film highlighting life in and around the underworld
last week's opening night film set in sicily and the hold of the mafia
this film set in northern italy and based around the area of calabria
not in the opening scenes though - 2 men in black waiting on a pier
a powered inflatable approaches, they embark and it heads away
it travels across a busy harbour and pulls up to a luxury stinkboat
the lads are ushered inside and are engaged in a brisk discussion
a large drug deal it seems - delivery point and payment is arranged
next we see the lads driving away from amsterdam with one other
bespectacled rocco is at the wheel of a late model  black merc
his brother luigi - one of the deal negotiators - sits alongside him
despite rocco's protestations he convinces him to stop at a farm
luigi and the other negotiator get out of the car with weapons out
a hit seems likely and yes - but not humans - a goat is the target
bundled into the boot and they speed off through the countryside
we then see a teenager in a small wreck of a fiat with a friend
pulls into an abandoned barn and inside finds some hidden guns
they head off to a cafe and from the outside the place is razed
he arrives home to the questioning of his goat-herder father
we learn that luciano (father of leo) is rocco and luigi's brother
he having left behind his gangster brothers for a quiet rural life
and now concerned his son is drawn to their way of life over his
more so as leo soon announces he is going to join his uncles in milan
it's good to see milan central railway station as he dismounts a train
met by his doting uncle luigi and taken in his luxury audi to his home
but things are not good with luciano - the shot-up cafe not a good target
owned by the rival gang in town and luciano threatened by the boss man
deal with it or there will be consequences - his quiet life now at threat
i'm liking this film - very subdued colours to match the mood of it all
and a human element to it all with immediate and extended families
elder brother luciano invites his two brothers and families to visit
luigi visits the rival gang and offers up a stash of bags of cocaine
a modern-day olive branch - and invites them all to luciano's place
he plucks a goat from luciano's herd to be butchered for a large lunch
it's all a bit tense during the meal with luciano offended at their presence
the rivals not happy either - soon after luigi is shot multiple times in his car
no-one claiming responsibility but it's a known - and even an acceptance
the rivals send flowers for the funeral but young leo is livid with rage
despite his father's protestations he decides to avenge his uncle's death
armed with a powerful rifle he waits for his moment in an empty house
but the rivals are on to him and he instead is gunned down mercilessly
as his father is at his own brother's funeral he senses the situation
and when told of the death he breaks down and is inconsolable
poor man - he seems quite decent but born to the wrong family
the climax now ushered in with our interest now fully piqued
luciano has had it and with the loss of his son is over it all
shoots his remaining brother rocco and several of his gang
luciano's wife seen begging him to drop the gun but no
we sense suicide - instead we see goats on a beach
being herded by a young bearded man - luciano?
an out-of-body experience is suggested - meaning...
yes - very much enjoyed this very good italian film...

meru

mountaineering is a bit of a mini-theme at nziff this year
last night - sherpa - set on mount everest and quite political
not so much about the mountain or the fequent conquering of it
but more on the changing attitude to and of the essesntial sherpa
however this film seems to offer more focus on the actual sport
the main man - conrad anker seen at home in the united states
(and me slightly disappointed - oh no - another american hero)
interviews with him and his wife talking about the love of climbing
jimmy chin also introduced - born in america to chinese immigrants
they having fled mao's china to offer their two kids a better future
renan ozturk is shown like a spiderman on crazy-angled peaks
the 3 of them planning an ascent of previously unconquered meru
time taken in the film to describe the near impossibility of the climb
this is as pure mountain-climbing on a virgin peak with no guides
many have attempted the climb and many have died as a result
the peak of the mountain atop a straight up 1500 foot rock wall
the climbers seen talking reverentially about the skills needed here
snow, ice, rock and angles requiring the climbers to be total experts
they must also carry all equipment,clothing, tents and 7 days food
jimmy chin and renan ozturk are also professional film makers
so they also are carrying slr cameras and helmet-fixed film cameras
even before they start i am in awe of what they have committed to
more so as they head up and show the construction of their bedding
a tent strung vertically off a cliff with the 3 of them huddled inside
a raging blizzard outside but inside it's all happiness and humour
the close proximity of the cameras making us feel part of the gang
more so as we ascend with the climbers and look on in total awe
below - a sheer drop - above - an endless wall of ice and rock
we get within a few hundred feet of the peak late one afternoon
but lack of food, weather, exhaustion, and frostbite are factors
the brave decision is made to abandon the climb and descend
and with it part 2 of the film kicks in as the 3 climbers disperse
renan ozturk has a serious skiing accident and fractures his skull
cracked vertebrae also and life-threatening brain surgery required
jimmy chin gets caught up but miraculously survives an avalanche
psychologically damaging though and he abandons mountain-climbing
conrad anker has his own demons with the death of climbing buddies
in particular alex lowe also killed in an avalanche many years prior
the two of them regarded as the best climbing team in the world
alex a mentor to conrad and conrad now husband to alex's wife
and father to alex's 3 children - this shown with all due respect
meru nags away at conrad and he decides to have another crack
jimmy is up for it and surprisingly renan demands he be part of it
this 5 months after his near-death experience and long recovery
and so before long we are back on the mountain with our 3 friends
weather is against them and many days lost sitting it out in their tent
but so impressively they push, and push, and push with little food
brain-injured renan is seen with symptoms of frostbite and stroke
absolutely spine-chilling scenes especially when jimmy hits the top
the presence of mind to film the occasion as they all reach the peak
totally exhilarating - what a film - i'm feeling completely redeemed
nothing but total respect for the climbers we now know so well
eddie vedder's the wolf heard in the film and now in my head
happy - that tune from the eqaully amazing film into the wild
sherpa - good - meru - mind-blowing - unbeatable i suspect...

rams

i suspect this film was selected for it's known elements
a rural tale of 2 farmers protecting their flocks in winter
it could of course easily be set in nz but not so - iceland
which adds to the appeal as that country does need a visit
an elderly farmer seen checking the fencing on his property
spots a dead sheep over the fence and tentatively climbs over
examines it and then picks up the large distressed lamb next to it
opens a door of a house, drops the lamb, closes the door and walks off
a man emerges and is pointed to the dead sheep with no words exchanged
we then see the same 2 men facing off in a competition for best sheep
each watching as their prize animal is thoroughly inspected by the judge
in the ceremony gummi (the rescuer) places second to kiddi (the rescuee)
brothers but no talk-ee and revealed it has been 40 years since speaking
gummi has a concern and does a secretive inspection of kiddi's ram
and then in conversation with the local lady vet he suggests scrapie
a fearful and contagious virus that attacks sheeps brains and spine
brother kiddi seen in a rage when he finds out what has happened
screaming that gummi is simply jealous at missing out on the prize
but the virus is confirmed and all the farmers now face a mass cull
it's all quite interesting and the brother's story also seems plausible
a tale of men's stubbornness left unchecked without female intervention
and a clear parallel with the film's title representing man and/or animal
but mostly the film is about the 2 brothers and their clear differences
kiddi hits the bottle and refuses to accept his flock need to be killed
gummi is ordered, accepts the decision and does the deed himself
this despite the authorities doing the rounds to cull all the sheep
but there's an ulterior motive - a few ewes and rams are spared
gummi has them in the basement and tends to them in secret
so the suspense is ramped up with this bit of skullduggery
part of the fumigation process requires destroying sheds, etc
one official seen sitting on gummi's toilet and hearing a noise
cats gummi explains with a rare bit of humour in this bleak film
kiddi  hits the bottle again and in turn abuse his younger brother
then promptly passes out in the snow requiring a bit of sympathy
gummi using a front-end loader to deposit him outside the hospital
all kind of fun really mixed in with the bleakness of the film's setting
wondering how this going to pan out but reconciliation is suspected
finally gummi is busted with an official charging off to get assistance
he in turn knocking on his brother's door to arrange a hiding place
kiddi more than happy - the flock is the last of a special breed
so the love of the animals overrides brotherly rivalry (ooh-aah)
between them they decide to hide the sheep in the mountains
a flock, a sheep-dog and 2 old men on a quad-bike head off
a blizzard sets in, the bike breaks down, the men are separated
kiddi desparately looking for his bro finds him unconscious
he digs a snow cave, strips their clothing and embraces him
the final scene sees him in tears willing gummi to wake up
yikes - a big turnaround from a few scenes back - but ok
kind of heart-warming really and a lot to like about this film
all sorts of messages about families, simple lives, animals, etc
but mostly it's a good old yarn requiring little effort to follow
fine with me - and good to make a return trip to iceland...

the price of peace

the nziff traditionally presents some fascinating nz films
many as this one exposing some element of maori history
tame iti is the man in focus - seen on many a news report
particularly as default leader of the so-called urewera four
living overseas in 2007 meant i missed the core of this story
so the background presented in this film is most welcomed
in that year the police conducted a raid in the area of urewera
with road-blocks, armed police, house raids and some aggression
the footage shown and tearful commentary suggesting fearful stuff
all in the name of anti-terrorism to justify the heavy-handed approach
the four arrested on charges of terrorist and illegal firearms activity
tame iti and rangi kermara are from the town of ruatoki near urewera
urs singer (swiss) and partner emily bailey are based in wellington
the four appear in court in auckland to face a long list of charges
an impression of a very large and heavy book is being thrown
having laid the case for the crown the film then delves deeper
various interviewees confirm that training camps did exist
but for the purposes of training people to be security guards
this to assist locals secure lucrative work in the muddle east
hmm - undercover police cameras were used to monitor this
some of that footage shown in the film detailing the training
parking that the film then goes into character presentation mode
tame iti talking about his upbringing and early days of activism
his early influences are his father, malcolm x and jimi hendrix
the vietnam war, apartheid and maori issues all in his sights
we also see a gentle and loving person with pets and children
his partner speaks fondly of her concerns for his wellbeing
but there's no escaping he faces serious charges in auckland
the next part of the film then shows the court case in progress
packed courtrooms and 4 most unlikely looking defendants
the jury cannot reach a conclusion on the terrorist charges
but tame iti and rangi kermara are guilty of firearm offences
unexpectedly tame iti is bundled off to prison for 30 months
he serves 9 due to good behaviour and a happy man on release
reunited with his beloved dog, partner, children and grandchildren
now with painting skills developed in prison he becomes an artist
his large modernist and theme-based oil based paintings are striking
there's an unexpected happy ending with the politics of this film
in 2014 several bills are passed in favour of the tuhoe people
securing the rights to land, due compensation and an apology
that seen in a ceremony from attorney-general chris finlayson
(thinking - where is john key - why is he not leading this?)
an equally moving ceremony then shown at parliament house
a large crowd for the official signing of the deed of agreement
i'm all goosebumps as a haka is performed and given due respect
a proud and happy tame iti seen as one of the deed's signatories
and for the film's climax - full circle - police seen at ruatoki
four of them are being served a traditional maori challenge
maori children laying leaves on the ground before the police
the most senior policeman walks, bends and picks them up
next we see them seated in a house listening to the locals
they talk of their fears around the 2007 spying and raids
police commissioner mike bush then stands and talks
and apologies unreservedly - more goosebumps for me
this is repeated in other private houses - unbelievable
the end - i'm close to tears actually and motionless
now that's the way things should be done these days
another great nz film - a must-see for every kiwi - and more...

sherpa

sherpa phurba tashi is a legend amongst modern sherpa

he has summited chomolungma (mount everest) 21 times

at the start of the 2014 climbing season he is heading to 22

a new record and this despite the fears of his wife and children

he seen at home in a village on the mountain preparing to go

she tearfully saying her brother was killed in the last season

and despite begging him not to go he feels he has no choice

money - to feed his family - she - he loves the mountain more

some history perspective is provided about sherpa tenzing norgay

he and a chap named edmund hillary part of a british expedition

maybe it's just me but that famous kiwi's role is downplayed here

but ok - we learn more of norgay with his children all talking heads

seems he felt he never was given credit for his equal achievement

suggesting sherpas today feel the same way - noted - moving on

at base camp we meet veteran mountainer and kiwi russell brice

he a organiser of expeditions and boss of tashi for over 17 years

it's big business - some climbers paying 6 figures for the pleasure

and in 2014 there are 38 different companies running expeditions

the small army of sherpas are essential to do all the hardest work

lugging tonnes of equipment from base camp to 4 further camps

all in the name of making the ascent for westerners much easier

the downside to that is that there's so many more of them now

this shown with a line of climbers stretching for kilometres 

the most dangerous part of the climb is explained in detail

khumbu icefall - a river of ice moving down the mountain

at night it slows but during sunlight hours it is on the move

a timelapse shot showing the scale of the icefall's movement

it has to be passed to get to the summit so nighttime is safest

that when the sherpas cross it lugging the gear of the camps

they are rightly intimidated by the unpredictability of it all

each sherpa anxiously crossing up to 30 times in one season

on april 18th 2014 an avalanche of 14,000 tonnes of ice struck

16 sherpas are killed and a rescue operator swings into action

and with that the sherpas discontent festers and consolidates

they feel the need to honour their companions who have died

comfort their families and respect the power of chomolungma

there's a call made to abandon the remainder of the 2014 season

given the money involved this is mininally bad for the sherpas

but of more significance to current climbers and tour operators

russell brice seen all over the place emotionally and strategically

running a rescue operation and trying to calm a volatile situation

advising his clients it may be all off one (american) is infuriating

can't you talk to their owners - he exclaims of the striking sherpas

as if slaves - and he means it - his kiwi wife looks embarrassed

brice then organises a visit by the minister of tourism to mediate

the delegation flies in by helicopter but fail to make any decision

seems the government is on the take of the large tourist dollar

minimum payment to the sherpas of course who now react

drawing up a list of demands to improve conditions of work

and to provide fair compensation to the families of the victims

the sherpas dig in and as this is announced more offensive talk

the same american comparing the sherpas to the 9-11 terrorists

in the end the season is cancelled and the mountain empties

the sherpas return to their villages and the grieving families

a final shot and voiceover saying chomolungma needs a rest

the final on screen text providing some vital information

the sherpas demands are agreed on by the government

sherpa phurba tashi happily retires 1 short of the record

russell brice pushes for helicopters to fly over the icefall

this encapsulated with his concerns for the sherpas safely

but surely making the ascent even easier and more lucrative

there's politics, greed and egos at work even in this special place

a pigeon sat on a branch reflecting on existence

roy andersson's third and final installment of a trilogy
following songs from the second floor released in 2000
and you the living released in 2007 - totally memorable
so no hesitation in adding this one to the festival must-sees
it opens with text advising a study of death in 3 parts follows
part 1 - a large man stands in in his living room staring at a table
the evening meal on the table and his wife seen behind in the kitchen
he lifts a bottle of wine and attempts to uncork it - but unsuccessfully
he then goes into various recognised postures to complete the task
with the bottle between his feet he keels over from a heart attack
part 2 - an old woman dying in hospital with her children bedside
she is clutching a handbag which she intends to take to heaven
eldest son has other ideas as it contains jewellery and her savings
a grab for the bag, the bed dragged across the room, she wailing
part 3 - a large man lays dead on the floor in a cruise ship cafetaria
he has ordered and paid for his last meal and beer which sits unwanted
the captain contemplating how to solve the problem of the wasted food
and agrees to allow it to be offered up to the other lingering passengers
deadpan - camera fixed in position, characters barely moving or talking
sounds simple but this director can claim ownership of this film style
next we are in a dance studio with 10 or so students and an obese teacher
she breaks into a flamenco dance to which the students expertly follow
a young man at the front becomes the target of her roaming hands
this stops and starts for a while until he is seen leaving in disgust
in a cafe 2 men are sitting and after questioning show their wares
hawkers of fun props - vampire teeth, rubber masks, fart pillows
the cafe then seen decades earlier unchanged from the same spot
joy with a choir and people lining up for a kiss from the manager
in another cafe a man on horseback enters and stands while ignored
and another time warp as swedish troops file past on the way to war
the king and his guards enter on horseback, dismount and sit quietly
whispered instructions, motionless customers, cautiously moving staff
glacial movement - which is entirely consistent with the rest of the film
we are voyeurs to people living their lives in dull and repetitive routine
a recurring scene is people on phones saying 'good to hear you are ok'
our 2 salesmen pop up in different places trying to sell their fun stuff
but no-one is buying which leads to them having a rare argument
the older then locked in his room with a record stuck on repeat play
his friend begging forgiveness from outside their prison like rooms
the warden asking for quiet - 'people have to work in the morning'
and then an announcement of the following scenes - homo sapiens
in the first we see a live monkey stretched in a holding apparatus
this is disturbing - electric shocks are routinely given and it screams
behind a lady in a white coat on a phone - 'it's good that you are ok'
african natives are being forcibly herded into a huge copper barrel
the door closed, a fire lit underneath and the barrel starts spinning
and a final scene of absurdity - straight-faced people at a bus stop
a shopkeeper mentions - another wednesday - one man surprised
i thought it was thursday - it feels like thursday - he admonished
how can you feel a day of the week - it's impossible to do that
the end - 37 (apparantly) comic vignettes to be taken as wanted
me - loved it - did not want it to end - so clever - so incisive
can't think of a better film where a mirror is held on mankind...

the assassin

yes well marital arts films are not usually my bag
but this one promises to have more emphasis on art
awarded best director prize at cannes so that a big plus
the opening titles providing some background china 9ad
a black and white introduction tells us of yinniang's skills
she exiled at a young age and schooled expertly in martial arts
she quickly and incisively despatching a target while on horseback
a 'nun' is her teacher and seen instructing her to return home to weibo
her mission to kill the governor of the province of worry to the emporer
weibo's military strength seen as a possible future threat to the royal court
colour then fills the screen with the chinese title in big bold red symbols
but what is most intriguing is that wide-screen it is not - square-screen
a deliberate strategy by the director to present scenes as though paintings
certainly the case in the opening scenes where we see beautiful vistas
horses and riders marching on tree-lined paths in mountainous valleys
the most verdant of greens contrasting with the colours of their silk
the lady in black (yinniang) somehow appears before the governor
he cradling his baby and just as we brace for an attack she is gone
so far so good - keeping up with the sub-titles and the simple plot
marvelling at the richness of it all - the costumes, the architecture
and the almost gloating approach to the stunning nature scenes
things then get a little confusing - another lady warrior appears
seen amongst large birch trees in a mask practicing her moves
the governor listens to his advisors but is petulant if crossed
one who provides unwanted advice is then to be despatched
to be taken to the far reaches of the province as punishment
even though the last one sent away captured and buried alive
thereby humiliating the governor - he does not want a repeat
yinniang advises her master of her failed assassination mission
she in turn saying her humanity gets in way of her matchless skills
as punishment she is then instructed to return and kill her own cousin
he once bethrothed to her but missing out when his mother intervened
seems it was better for the son to marry the sister of the emperor - ok
so death to the son of the promise-breaker - honour is at stake here
on her journey she encounters the exiled advisors guards under attack
he is about to be buried alive but she intervenes and saves the day
her cousin seen with a young family and a now pregnant concubine
a confrontation with yinniang and some martial arts on display briefly
but just when she has him she again backs off - she cannot do it
we then see her with the masked woman but refusing to engage
there's a grey-whiskered sorcerer working on some figurine cutouts
of which one is found with the pregnant concubine - why - not sure
but it leads to warriors bursting in and killing the sorcerer with arrows
and - finally - yinniang on a tall peak confessing her failure to her master
before returning to her friends in a simple village and a different lifestyle
ok - got it - female assassin has skills but her heart overrides everything
or something like that - after show review reading confirming matters
it's not about the confusing plot - it's all about the beauty of it all
scenery, costumes, lingering shots, attention to fine detail
a period piece about a distance place in a distant time
lovely it is - i can take it - shame about the martial arts fans...

teheran taxi

city of lies - a very readable book about life in teheran
much of it describing the layout of the city and it's streets
this film then offering to provide realisation to visualisation
the camera is fixed to the dashboard of the taxi pointed ahead
a few minutes of nothing really - no talking - just a street vista
not overwhelmingly busy - cars, motorbikes and pedestrians
then the car moves off and i think we drive along vali asr street
this the single long avenue running east/west of the entire city
still no dialogue but as in a taxi time to just gaze at local life
first impression - peugeots - lots of them - every second car
405's mostly - the influence of the french remains to this day
a woman hails the cab - she steps in and sits in the rear seat
soon after a man also flags him down and takes the front seat
so establishing that cab-sharing is normal practice in this city
the camera now angled on both passengers as they converse
he goes into a rave about how common tyre theft is currently
and that captured thieves should be executed - as a lesson
she horrified that such extreme measures would be proposed
he in turn surprised that a woman would challenge his views
he pushes her to tell him what she does for a living - a teacher
she in turn pushes to tell her what he does - i'm a mugger he says
this as he pays his fare and leaps from the car - she earns a free ride
we then see the driver for the first time as he takes a mobile phonecall
promising to be there in 10 minutes - then he pulls up alongside an accident
a motorcyclist has been knocked down - he is bundled into the back seat
he is bloodied and near unconsciousness and his girlfriend is wailing
she asks for and uses the driver's mobile to record his 'testament'
it's a noisy trip but they are delivered to the nearest hospital
shortly after she calls to urgently arrange delivery of the film
a young man jumps in and recognises the driver - mr panahi!
i used to deliver videos to you - don't you remember me?
and offering to supply more - a clear comment on film piracy
but also it seems our driver is a once famous director in iran
now a taxi driver - ah - i get it - this is his latest little project
2 women are in the back with full goldfish bowls - they spill
and then a lady lawyer with a bunch of red roses is in the front
she a defender of civil rights and on the way to assist a prisoner
some discussions around that and the bad state of affairs in teheran
the driver then picks up his niece from school - she has a camera
precocious and/or intelligent she is - she films people on the street
all the while exclaiming to her uncle that her films must be 'appropriate'
another slur on the state of censorship in this country at this time
she spots a purse on the back seat - left by a goldfish bowl lady
they mentioned where they were going - to a city water spring
he heads there and spots them then runs with his niece and purse
meanwhile a motorcycle pulls up and a rider then enters the taxi
we hear him talking and the screen goes black - common thieves?
no - he curses as he cannot get the card out (sim?) and then flees
the end - a very simple credit from jafar panahi then comes up
a thanks for viewing his film - curiousity aroused - wiki is hit
he a banned film-maker in iran so forced into secrecy
this is latest and boldest film set outdoors in daylight
awarded the golden bear at the berlin film festival
bravo - in context this is an essential piece of work...

embrace of the serpent

a trip up the amazon river in glorious black and white
appropriately the film opens with a direct shot of the river
then panning up to a native standing motionless on the edge
he is donned with a loin cloth, feathers, necklace and piercings
a canoe bearing two people nudges into the bank at his feet
one - another native in western clothing paddling at the rear
the other - a bearded westerner laying prone in the middle
he is hauled out and a plea from his companion for help
he has fallen ill and needs some traditional medicine
at first karmakate refuses as he distrusts white people
the german grunberg convinces him he can be trusted
and so a strong medicinal smoke is blown into his nostrils
they talk - seems grunberg has spent time with karmakate's tribe
he believing them to have been wiped out and the last one alive
he agrees to join the crew and the three of them head up river
the quest is to find the source of the mythical yakuna plant
we see stunning scenery and the river has a strong presence
they pull into the remnants of an abandoned rubber plantation
karmakate flies into a rage as this product has brought havoc
sad scenes as a disfigured native emerges to protect the trees
begging to be shot to escape the despair of his destroyed life
a theme now emerging of the destruction of traditional lifestyles
then we fast forward to an american following in grunberg's path
this some 30 years later and he (evan) encounters an older karmakate
parallel discussions and he using grunberg's notes seeks the yakuna
interesting story-telling and quite enthralling with it - i'm hooked
we jump back to grunberg's quest as they pull into at a mission
the priest there dressing and training native children in a choir
a suggestion of some other nasty happenings in the name of god
again - white man's imposition of their culture on a naive people
when the priest is seen whupping a child karmakate reacts badly
and our trio have to depart quickly but the point is clearly made
in the parallel story evan and karmakate seen paddling on the river
they also pull into the mission now run by a delusional spaniard
he has the enslaved natives believing he is the real son of god
it all feels like apocalypse now with strange pagan-like rituals
karmakate then laces their soup with hallucinogenic powder
mad scenes then as the leader instructs his flock to eat him
followed by desperate scenes of natives fleeing from arrivals
the colombians - the invaders and destroyers of native lifestyles
evan and karmakate escape and paddle further to a sacred site
a huge ancient rock not dislike uluru that they climb to it's peak
and there - the elusive yakuna flower - karmakate grinds it up
evan takes the drug and then - whoa - we are all tripping
colour objects burst onto the screen and trippy music plays
it could have finished there for me but some final b&w scenes
evan seen descending and re-entering the canoe - the end
credits running confirming the authenticity of the story
and the fact that many amazon tribes have been lost
white man - again - so sad - but such a fine film...

far from men

algeria - 1954 - the start of the war for freedom
rebels rising up against the imperialist forces of france
viggo mortensen starring in this film in this place at that time
the telling opening shot across the harsh landscape and mountains
panning across and down to show a lone building in a small valley
inside that building daru (mortensen) is teaching a class of students
geography - the major french rivers - they attentive, he enthusiastic
a sense of respect in both directions as he addresses students by name
the class is dismissed and he wanders the harsh landscape with a gun
a bird shot, a meal prepared - this place is the home of this solitary man
next day a lone horseman arrives with a prisoner strung along behind
balducci is from a neighbouring area and his prisoner is a murderer
he informs daru he the insurgency is on the rise and needs to return
informing him he now needs to take the prisoner to be tried in court
this at a town a full day's hike away - daru refuses but is left with him
he decently provides food and a bed and has some initial conversation
mohamed confesses his crime - murdering his cousin who stole his grain
he the eldest of the family and an ancient honour system has kicked in
so too has modern law so mohamed turned himself in to avoid reprisals
the next day they begin their trek along a well worn path to the village
too many armed rebels on the path means a clamber into the mountains
a lone rider encountered there and rifle shots exchange at close range
the elderly rider killed with daru despairingly blaming his prisoner
screaming - your cowardice and weakness has meant another death
mohamed in turn then quietly stating he is neither weak nor a coward
the look on daru's face implies this resolute stand has impressed him
as the pilgrimage progresses mutual respect and friendship grows
they share water, survival skills and stories of their upbringings
daru born in a nearby village to visiting french aid-worker parents
affinity with locals and sympathies with both sides of the conflict
mohamed confessing to daru's surprise he has never had a woman
and in the laugh-out-loud moment of the film the sub-title to his question
contemplative pause and then - what's it like - unintentional but hilarious
the rains come down and an abandoned village is reached at nightfall
refuge taken there, a fire started and more companionable chatting
in the morning a gang of rebels ride up and take them prisoner
fortunately daru recognises daru from time spent in the french army
he pressing daru to make a choice between the locals and the invaders
which he refuses to do so remains a prisoner as they then walk off
soon enough they are ambushed with gunfire from a french unit
daru is put up as a hostage but to no avail and they are overwhelmed
most rebels are killed or escape and two are shot after surrendering
daru as an ex-major admonishes the captain for this war crime
once again demonstrating his integrity in the face of adversity
they are released and continue their trek via a small village
here daru organises a woman for mohamed and himself
he breaking down in her arms exclaiming it has been so long
admitting his loneliness since losing his wife 10 years prior
the now buddies reach the outskirts of their target town
daru points - thay way to certain death - that way a new life
encouraging mohamed to find refuge with the nomad arabs
mohamed himself saying daru will then be pursued for failing
daru turns and walks away - and turns to see mohamed walking
a smile on his face says it all as he then walks back to his school
full circle as he is seen teaching and an announcement to his class
this is my last day - as i told you one day i would be leaving
and so it is - superb ending to a thoroughly satisfying film
my respect and admiration for viggo mortensen remains...

the lobster

this is the film that most people are talking about this year
or at least as much as - are you going to see the lobster?
which pretty well placed it on the list of films to catch
interesting concept too - newly single people at a hotel
they are given 45 days to find a partner amongst the guests
failure to do so means being  turned into an animal of choice
and - colin farrell has a lead part - he is generally trustworthy
opening scene - a woman in a car in the rain on a country road
she pulls over, she gets out, walks to a donkey and shoots it dead
me thinking - no - that can't be faked - not too happy about that
the film title then in bold across the screen and mr farrell now seen
he's piled on the weight and is wearing glasses so barely recognisable
a woman's voice tells him she is sorry - he - is he short-sighted like me?
next he is being escorted into a mini-bus and arrives at a country hotel
checking in with his dog and some unusual questions e.g. sexual preference?
allocated a room and a visit from the manageress who explains the rules
45 days and no partner - what animal would you prefer to become?
a lobster - they live for 100 years, have blue blood and remain fertile
good choice - most people choose a dog that's why there are so many
not sure about this but ok let's go with it - a couple of hours to go yet
scenes then in the hotel at breakfast and mixing it with the other guests
women wearing the same dress, men likewise with a common suit
an official welcome and talks from some guests about themselves
my most distinguished feature is...it's kind of funny but not really
i'm now starting to think this is all an ok idea suffering in delivery
the guests are taken into the woods and armed with tranquilizer guns
the sport - shoot the loners - previous hotel guests who have escaped
weird and/or silly - then david (farrell) partners up with a russian lady
she reported to have no feelings and he displays the same - so a match
they 'date' for a bit.and are announced a couple - she then kills his dog
which is actually his brother - a brutal slaying which i also squirm over
he cries and thus reveals he has feelings so not an appropriate partner
she threatens to report him and he ends up shooting her (tranquilizer)
an escape to the woods for him and joining up with the loner people
the odd animal bounding around also e.g. a camel - failed guests
david befriends a short-sighted woman and so attracted to him
the loner leader disallowing any relationships so they are discreet
working up their own sign/body language to communicate feelings
and so it goes on - and on - and on - it's all quite tedious actually
by now it looks like the actors have lost interest in the weird plot
it's just silly and worse - the director (yorgos lanthimos) indulging
he obviously has a strong view on coupledom and this is his vehicle
the humour is non-existent, the plot seems made up as it progresses
in the climax the short-sighted woman is made blind by a surgeon
this under the instruction of the dictatorial leader of the loners
and as with true love - david prepares to gauge out his own eyes
the end - thankfully - could not get out of there quick enough
surely the large crowd are equally appalled - or maybe not
the pseudo-intellectuals probably loved it - we didn't get it...

best of enemies

this is a classic festival film i.e no mainstream appeal
but the subject matter of serious historical significance
in this case 2 avowed intellectual enemies and 10 debates
gore vidal - in the left corner - prolific and very popular author
william f buckley in the right corner - author and commentator
some backgrounds to the debates providing interesting viewing
tv channel abc the poor cousin of the mega channels cbs and nbc
as one person put it - they get to be 3rd because there isn't 4 of them
and impressively tv news shows are regarded then as neutral and essential
not only to remain in the centre of political discourse but to report it thoroughly
and so it is that the biggest news stories in 1968 were the party conventions
all 3 channels providing live coverage to large night-time audiences at home
the idea pitched to put these two intellectuals on a team to debate the issues
and a hope their discourse will draw an audience and thus improve ratings
further background to the two men demonstrates the chasm in attitudes
both attending private schools and from wealthy families but so different
gore vidal opposed to the vietnam war and a supporter of gay rights
more than that - a writer of very liberal sexual novels that has him hated
buckley the leader of the pack there - his elitist ideology going into print also
he the founder and editor of the ultra-conservative national review magazine
his long-serving and weary wife admitting at times she wants to kill him
the first round of debates are around the republican convention in miami
vidal did his research on buckley and was prepared - buckley went sailing
the cameras roll, the host introduces his guests and vidal asks the first question
mr buckley - do you feel comfortable being part of a party devoted to greed
buckley seems floored and not expecting a direct attack on his own idealism
he responds with an attack of his own on gore vidal's liberal sexual views
each shouting the other down and thus providing some quite hostile tv
not much is seen of the debate as such but the talking heads fill the gaps
christopher hitchens in particular clearly explaining the context of it all
vietnam war and the peace movement raging and tv now mass media
other commentators also adding their take on the debates significance
more footage of vidal saying buckley openly supports nuking china
vehemently denied but contained in a published article vidal will present
big issues being thrashed out - not fine ideological points as expected
the republican convention wraps up with richard nixon then annointed
focus of the film then moves to the debates at the democrat convention
this in chicago and this time buckley comes prepared for more slanging
a protest outside the convention sparks a debate about the use of flags
gore vidal then commenting buckley is the only crypto-nazi he knows
the response - now listen you queer stop calling me a crypto-nazi
or i'll sock you in the goddam face so hard you'll stay plastered
apparantly he regretted that comment for the rest of his living days
no apology though and they remained bitter enemies to the end
buckley dying first in 2008 and vidal penning - rih - rest in hell
what a insightful film to these 2 men and american politics
some saying in 1968 the parties solidified into current form
which sadly kind of explains what goes on there now...

victoria

the appeal in this film is that it is a 140 minute single take
set in modern day berlin - that good too - and rave reviews
i settle in for the ride and hope it's an entirely satisfying trip
some serious electronica running with the white on black titles
then bursting into strobe light as we are clearly in a dance club
silhouettes of people dancing and then focus on one euphoric lady
this has to be victoria - she seems alone and having a fine old time
she stumbles to the bar and orders a schnapps and messily downs it
a visit to the ladies room and then it's time to head out up the stairs
four boisterous lads are being denied entry - no money - they depart
all the while shouting abuse and one saying - i'll own this place one day
on the street at 4am in the morning and victoria banters with the gang
she speaks english and when questioned says she comes from madrid
a car is the centre of their talk - it seems they are trying to steal it
each of the four in turn stating it is their car - uh-oh - bad feeling
i'm feeling kind of protectionist towards her - crikey just walk away
she has a pushbike which she mounts but the lads keep hovering
somme seems the most decent of this bunch - only he speaks english
he introduces boxer, fuss and blinker - their mothers would love them
she is way too friendly to them - what are you doing? - i am thinking
they wander to a convenience store and enter - the attendant is asleep
somme claims to know him and will pay him tomorrow as they load up
so now she is a thief and it becomes clear this is going to end badly
outside boxer is taking on a couple of thugs to everyone's mirth
a decision to go on top of a building which is a regular hangout
she agrees to join them - gulp - on top the joints are smoked
somme agrees to walk her home to a cafe she has to open soon
inside at a piano somme claims to be a musician and plays a note
victoria however stunningly and expertly plays the mephisto waltz
somme is speechless and then interrupted by an urgent phone call
the other 3 soon show up with boxer most tense as a job is now on
more bad feelings - fuss has passed out and 4 people are required
yep - victoria is drafted to simply drive them to the job and back
they steal a van and she drives them to an underground car park
met by a bunch of armed thugs and their nasty ayrian looking leader
an armed holdup is on as boxer owes him for protection while in prison
cocaine is imbibed by all to 'heighten confidence' and they drive off
phew - this one take film is scarily realistic and so, so well done
the holdup seems to go ok as we wait in the van with victoria
racing away in the early morning light and the vehicle is dumped
a fast paced walk back to the club and they all now in party mode
money is vengefully splashed around and boxer does a strip dance
somme and victoria now in a drunk and high amorous state of being
the bouncers evict them - back to the van now surrounded by police
fuss has been left inside - they turn, they run and they are pursued
guns are drawn on both sides with a shootout taking out boxer
somme and victoria scramble to  the nearest apartment building
they take a hostage and find his wife and baby in his apartment
four people now freaking out as the police surround the building
victoria has a plan so forces a change of  clothes and grabs the baby
they leave and get past the police who usher them away from danger
into a taxi to the nearest (flash) hotel - in their room somme collapses
he has been shot and has hidden his wound but he then dies on her
she in turn breaks down with the realisation of what she has done
she is in a totally believable mess as the camera just keeps rolling
this is absolutely mind-blowing film-making on display up there
so much crammed into a couple of hours of continuous action
she picks herself up, takes the money, and leaves the hotel
last seen walking away down the street - destination - airport?
the end - have i ever been so relieved at the end of a film - no
this may well be the best film of the festival - a total blinder...

sunshine superman

i'd never before heard of carl boenish but that is no issue
he the chap that 'invented' base-jumping and this is his story
a promise of some spectacular footage and a superb soundtrack
that'll do - bio-pics are always a good way to meet new people too
by way of introduction the man's voice talks over some cliff shots
i don't subscribe to man's laws much - nature's laws are for me
the talking heads are pretty well straight at it describing the main man
significantly his wife jean talking in the present day of her late husband
another colleague describing carl as larger-than-life - basically mad
early footage of his upbringing revealing an early struggle with polio
suggesting his drive to overcome that pushing him higher and further
supremely intelligent too and a career building as an aircraft engineer
drawn to sky-diving and soon combining that with his love of filming
that leading to an offer to film the stunt scenes in the film 'tiger moths'
and no looking back as he abandons his career to be a cameraman
he meets his future wife through a common love of sky-diving
she small, bespectacled and a most unlikely looking dare-devil
but as she admits she loves and trusts carl and follows his dreams
we see some spectacular footage of mass formation sky-diving
and then carl stating a need for a new challenge with his buddies
they head to el capitan in yosemite -leaping off it's 1000 metre peak
carl rigging up a bicycle seat on a ladder out off the peak's ledge
all the better for filming the jumpers running off and free-falling
watching him climb out on to the seat is vertigo-inducing for me
then - a huge tv tower - over a thousand feet high - then a building
this a huge skyscraper under construction in houston with easy access
the term base-jumping coined and a world-wide association is born
building, antenna, span and earth - we see footage of a lot of activity
all quite entralling really - and the soundtrack - well - let's say - dated
the byrds, the sweet, thunderclap newman, america, the kinks, etc
i suppose to match the time when most of the footage was shot
but still - a sense of a grab for audience approval of known tunes
the love story up on the screen is still most compelling though
carl and jean inseparable as they push the boundaries further
carl admitting as a christian scientist nature's laws are what matter
david frost gets in on the act and promotes a world record attempt
1984 - trollveggen in norway - massive cliffs with suitable peaks
carl and jean make a successful double jump for the tv cameras
he is buzzing - she exhausted with lack of sleep in the endless days
next day he insists on another solo jump and sadly his final jump
stunning mock-up footage of 3 climbers at the peak he jumped from
some suggestions he knew of the danger at this point but leapt anyway
2 days later jean makes another jump to honour his spirit and drive
a nice climax to a quite remarkable film about 2 quite special people
but wait - there's more - wing-suits - we see a pilot climbing in norway
suits up, stands on the edge, woo-hoo, and the camera pans skywards
damn - the film is going to end there - but no - he jumps, he falls, he flies
the hollies - the air that i breath - blasting as he flies in this amazing place
my heart absolutely pounding at this sight - man- i wish i could do that
stunning ending really and more historical footage as the credits roll
this to donovan's tune - sunshine superman - ah get it - appropriate...