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...

from scotland with love

now here's a film offering something a bit different
essentially a 75 minute video clip for a full length album
from scotland with love - a 2014 release by king creosote
the festival program promising a film of sotttish archival footage
which probably explains the decent number of people in attendance
average age - well - let's just say not likely to be king creosote fans
and of course dunedin has a strong scottish heritage so that a factor
the film starts as promised with grainy black and while early scenes
double-decker trolley buses and pedestrians dashing in all directions
the music starts with i guess a track by track play of the album in store
gentle folky acoustic guitar and spoken/sung words in soft english
the lyrics barely discernible to me but that's a normal state of being
my first impression - well it could be a long 75 minutes but settle..in
some colour then on screen with a production line at a bottling plant
an amber liquid being mechanically dumped into a line of bottles
ooch aye whiskey getting a very early mention in this random film
nothing stays on screen too long making it a bit godfrey reggio-ish
the difference here being a much more subdued soundtrack so far
there's nothing too linear about it either and no discernible message
with that realisation i relax into it and simply take it as it comes
and so it is - we see mostly black and white archival footage
children playing, men working and women housekeeping
a fair comes to town and there's all the usual attractions
there's a trip to the beach and sandcastles to be made
a journey in the country and a brief shot of loch ness
coal-miners actually seen smiling - is this propaganda?
they travel underground and dig, shovel and load trolleys
a reminder of the meaning of work a generation or 2 ago
cattle are herded, paddocks are scythed, seeds are sown
we see the call to the great war and troops packed on trains
ladies in their best outfits bidding farewell to their menfolk
and the men themselves seen smiling at the coming adventure
i'm thinking - all this could easily be 20th century en zed
especially that everyone seems to be of anglo-saxon descent
but then some scenes of ship-builders at work - ocean liners
scenes of an iron ore smelting furnace and how close they work
again - that is serious work - and some more colour on the screen
rivers of molten metal being manipulated to produce huge sheets
sheets of metal then seen being worked into place on the ship
then the launching - no fanfare as the props are knocked away
the ship sliding effortlessly into the water as workers watch on
and the music rolls on - unfairly thinking it's all quite - same-y
no electronica this time around for king creosote but that's ok
it suits the visuals and i hope the audience is enjoying it too
a large ocean liner then seen dockside and packed with people
ah - heading to the new world - the tears are flowing this time
those left behind most likely aware this could be a final farewell
and i finally engage with some lyrics from king creosote's tune
is this the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?
kind of morose really - the ship casts off - next seen in america
cruising into new york and some apprehensive people on board
then back at home there's a new year coming and a celebration
some fireworks, some dancing - and a familiar tune borrowed
king creosote mixing in the lyrics of auld lang syne into a tune
and that's about it folks - all very pleasant - thanks - scotland...

'71

war films used to be avoided but lately there's been some good-uns
this one set in belfast has the extra appeal of a history lesson i hope
we hear something on a blackened screen - sounds like gunfire
nope - a couple of lads furiously slugging it out in a boxing ring
a troop of soldiers then seen being lead on a cross-country run
crawling through streams and pipes, over obstacles - tough going
close-up and hand-held camera work making it feel real and right here
an early awakening at the barracks and an announcement - off to belfast
private gary hook then seen on a bus and then visiting a boarding house
he takes a young boy away for an outing - is this his brother or his son?
as he then says goodbye it's a clear look of - will i ever see him again?
next we are in belfast and at the makeshift barracks in a bleak city
day one - a briefing gives the soldiers and us a concise history lesson
the city divided between nationalist catholics and loyalist protestants
this day is a plunge into the hostile catholic area to look for weapons
as the army truck pulls up and the soldiers pile out they are bombarded
boys hanging over a fence throwing food and hurling abuse at the soldiers
they in turn show restaint and then fall in behind an armoured vehicle
their job is to hold back the protesting locals as houses are searched
it's in-your-face stuff as the local men and women take on the soldiers
the intensity of the argy bargy increases with neither side backing off
hand-held cameras again providing an enthralling sense of realism
something has to happen - and it does - a soldier felled by a rock
a boy races to grab his rifle, runs and is then pursued by 2 soldiers
one of them our man hook - they grab him but teenagers intervene
the other soldier shot point blank and hook makes a bolt for it
a pursuit through city streets and lanes as good as you can get
stunning stuff and so realistic with the rest of the film now set up
hook is in enemy territory - his first time - and a companion killed
he takes refuge in a toilet and with no dialogue we know his thoughts
hellish - he moves out under darkness and is soon seen by a small boy
a loyalist it seems who offers to provide safe passage via a local pub
a bomb is being assembled which explodes with hook standing outside
the boy killed and our man's day is just getting worse as he stumbles on
found by a doctor and his daughter who take him in and tend to him
he's a marked man with various people coming and going in the night
one of the visitors a nationalist now secretly siding with the loyalists
this film takes concentration to keep on top of who is with who
but apart from that it is just so enthralling and realistically done
the tension racked up to the max as hook heads outdoors
he's being pursued by would-be murderers and rescuers
sub-plots a-plenty with young boys and their weapons
one sadly killed in the process of rescuing the main man
final scene - back with his brother/son - to hell and back
amazingly well done film - bleak as - but as realistic as
a bit more of an understanding now of life in belfast '71...

merchants of doubt

documentary time and very contemporary too - climate change
opening with a close-up of a man putting on cufflinks and a tie
then people seen filing into some sort of small theatre for a show
the man appears - he is a magician - me thinking oops wrong film
but no as he then appears as a talking head explaining his craft
it's all about deceit - but in his case it is done with honour
unlike that we are about to see i suspect so an good contrast
the first part of the film deals with the debate over cigarettes
back to the days when you were an outsider if you didn't smoke
any kind of negativity easily stifled by a cashed up tobacco industry
at first - cigarettes are good for you - then - cigarettes are not bad for you
then - there's no proof cigarettes are bad for you - and then it's about freedom
people should be free to choose to smoke or not - this is a free country, etc
all the while employ whatever tactics necessary to discredit the opposition
the number of lobbyists and 'public interest' groups increases dramatically
all doing the bidding of the tobacco industry - despite the health facts
an interesting side effect was that more and more fires broke out
cigarette butts - so there's pressure to make less flammable cigarettes
but instead the industry shifts responsibility onto furniture manufacturers
scenes of a doctor regaling stories in hearings of attending to burnt babies
laws passed requiring sofas, etc to be stuffed with flame retardant material
even though it is highly carcinogenic, expensive and largely ineffective
the 'doctor' subsequently found to be a liar - he - 'i wasn't under oath'
this all lays the groundwork for the fight on climate change alarmists
the film now shifts focus with james hansen testifying to congress in 1988
he a professor who switched from space to earthbound atmosphere studies
that hearing was the first high-level discussion about possible climate change
and for a while it seemed all were on board with the seriousness of the situation
even as late as 2008 when nancy pelosi and newt gingrich made a joint statement
but then it all started unravelling with the same tactics previously used now at play
even - more co2 is a good thing - and the oft heard - there is no scientific proof
this despite one researcher - naomi oreskes - finding 100% scientific consensus
which then just leads the naysayers to announcing an opposite fictitious poll
the merchants of doubt are in overdrive - with links to the fossil fuel industry
shameless individuals earning squillions no doubt to maintain the status quo
one shining light in the republican party - bob inglis - sided with science
but then routinely discredited and then losing his party nomination
to this day still railing against the scarily ignorant radio jocks, etc
and articulating exactly what seems to be the truth of the matter
people are scared of any threat or change to their way of life
we are happy to go with anybody offering any kind of doubt
and there's any amount of that coming from vested interests
the merchants of doubt - what a stunningly scary film this is
me - anger - have to do something - mission accomplished then

song of the sea

the tale of princess kaguya - much raved about in nziff 2014
i missed that one with the film snob in me saying  - animation - pass
not going to make that mistake again so song of the sea is locked in
a single viewing only and we are parked centred first row upstairs
the film opens with a way familiar tune - thank-you the waterboys
the lyrics of w b yeats the stolen child resonating in my head
come away o human child to the waters and the wild
with a faery hand in hand 
for the world's more full of weeping that you can understand
this setting the scene for this irish tale set seaside in a lighthouse
young ben is being read a story by his very pregnant mother
the animation of the characters very simple with small features
another appealing factor being the presence of brendan gleeson
providing the voice of ben's father the lighthouse keeper connor
father and son sharing a common hair colour - orange - yes - irish
mum hands a large mollusk shell to ben and tells him to listen to it
coming from it is the song of the sea - so tick - film title explained
as ben falls asleep he sees his mother leaving uttering i'm sorry
the next scene is ben sitting on a rock reading a book - mum's stories
at his foot is his large dog cu and at his side his new sister saoirse (seer-sha)
the animation is richly detailed and looking as though based on watercolours
and more human rather than computer generated artwork - so quite unique
heights and sizes exaggerated to presumably align with a child's viewpoint
conor (dad) is huge and the hill leading up to the lighthouse is very steep
things are not happy there - saoirse does not speak and dad is in a funk
it is clear his wife bronach disappeared on the night saoirse was born
grandma comes for a visit - in a citreon 2cv and heavily caricatured
grumpy, instructive, impatient and despairing of her grandchildren
it is saoirse's 6th birthday - dad heads to the pub on his sad day
and then the magic begins - saoirse calls up the spirits with the mollusk
she is lead to the sea and she swims with the seals and a large whale
it's all quite trippy really and the music of kila adds an extra dimension
grandma is incensed and packs up the 2 kids and heads back to the city
dad and dog left behind - hell it's animated and yet still i'm feeling saddened
crazy things go on in the city with a roundabout the home of some creatures
a sign on the door - ferc off humans - some humour for us adults i suspect
saoirse falls ill and ben decides he has to get her back home to the seaside
and off they go on a magical mystery tour with all sorts of very cosmic effects
the art department now in overdrive with a long sequence of amazing scenes
of course they eventually arrive home and saoirse dons her magic cloak
more scenes of underwater frivolities and happiness then abounds ashore
mother appears in an apparition and the now complete family share the love
she also shares spiritual powers with her daughter who is taken up in her arms
as she leaves saoirse expresses her wish to stay and is granted that on condition
she has to relinquish her magical powers - ok - and - they - all - live - happily...
to cap it off grandma shows up and is embraced by her son and grandkids
ah - nice - this film hits the mark perfectly - it is all that it is promised to be
and the credits go on and on and on - a huge team effort - no surprise
some very happy kids in the audience and just as many buzzing adults
very glad to have caught it in this single viewing - animation - good...

our little sister

some films pick themselves for viewing based on heritage
like this one from hirokazu koreeda who also directed i wish
a beautiful film from a few years back about a 12 year old boy
who was told the space between passing bullet trains was magical
here he also has chosen to focus on children of divorced parents
a young lady is seen serenely asleep in daylight with a young man
a message chirps on her phone, she wakes, arouses and dashes off
then seen arriving for breakfast at her home shared with her 2 sisters
it seems to be a familiar ritual though a phone call has been received
their father has died - no sadness seen though as he left 14 years prior
this upon divorcing their mother who also started a new life elsewhere
the sisters agree to attend the funeral and are then seen on small train
arriving at a rural station they are met by suzu asano - their half sister
they all displaying the politeness and respect known of japanese culture
the same at the funeral where estranged family members are honoured
a bond forms between suzu and her 3 sisters - sachi, yoshino and chika
mostly after it becomes apparant young suzu was their father's main carer
her own mother also divorced by the father so she now seems abandoned
as they board the train to head home suzu is invited to live with the sisters
so far - so good - it all seems very natural, very gentle and very absorbing
scenes of rural and mountainous japan and also domestic life easy to take
when suzu shows up we then learn more of each of the girls personalities
eldest sister sachi is a nurse in a plutonic relationship with a married doctor
their close friendship plays out as he promises divorce to take up with sachi
middle sister yoshino works for a bank and likewise has a male co-worker
they attend meetings together in the community assisting small businesses
one being a local restaurant that is a favourite eating place for the sisters
the lady owner in financial difficulty with a greedy brother and partner
youngest sister chika is fun-loving, alcohol imbibing and carefree
she works in a shoe shop with a young male mountaineer hobbyist
suzu slides into school and community life and is a star soccer player
her best friend is a boy also on the team who she regularly hangs out with
one beautiful scene of them on his bike riding through a cherry blossom tunnel
and so it goes - not much at all really - i keep waiting for some turn of events
but it doesn't happen - this director intent on showing the normality of life
there's some angst when their mother (and house owner) makes a visit
elder daughter sachi in particular carries some anger after 14 years
the time since their mother walked out on them - but it is resolved
a great aunty also on the scene to placate the situation amicably
sachi accepts an offer to manage her hospital's terminally ill ward
this where the cafe owner ends up and so another sad funeral
after which the 4 sisters are seen strolling and chatting on a beach
as the 3 older sisters look on at suzu they acknowledge their father
admitting despite his ways he has left them a beautiful gift in suzu
thems tears in my eyes - i'm moved - what a simply beautiful film...

the look of silence

the act of killing - an unforgettable film seen at nziff 2014
directed by joshua oppenheimer about indonesian death squads
formed in the late 1960's after the military coup to squash opposition
students, farmers, intellectuals and more labelled communists and killed
one million people wiped out by death squads associated with the military
that film showing prior members acting out their brutal ways for the camera
their lack of remorse and assimilation into modern society most disturbing
this film a companion piece though more aligned to the victim's families
the opening scene shows two of a death squad bragging of their kills
cutting back to show an indonesian man watching this on a small tv
we then are in the house of an elderly woman washing her husband
he blind, deaf, frail and childlike as she tells her story of her son ramil
taken by the death squad and hacked but he escapes to his parents house
next day the military offer to take him to hospital but is instead brutally killed
then we are in a classroom with a teacher spouting propaganda to his students
explaining the need for the military to wipe out the evil and barbaric communists
one of the students is the son of adi - the optometrist shown in the opening scene
father then telling his son the facts of the murders and then aother connection is made
we see adi visiting his parents - yes - the old couple who lost their son to the squads
ramil an older brother killed before adi was born - he an answer to her prayers
some touching moments as adi checks his parents eyesight and bathes his dad
at which point i am sensing i am watching one incredibly emotional film
more so as adi then spends time with one of his brother's murderers
still living in the village amongst families of people who were killed
initially adi offers his services as an optometrist but then questions him
at first he speaks freely and openly of his deeds and shows no remorse
describing in sordid detail the way their victims were brutally killed
the same shamelessness as seen in the prior film the act of killing
but if possible even more chilling with an extra dimension here
not only the presence of a close relation but more gruesome details
drinking of blood gushing from victims throats a common practice
a ritual believed to ward off the craziness that may set in otherwise
i am stunned and can only wonder what reaction adi has to this detail
but he remains impressively calm apart from a quickened breathing
and then it is the murderer who becomes incensed at the questioning
suggesting he is tired of talking politics and will talk no further of it
adi then seen completing the eye test using his special testing glasses
and unbelievably offering to deliver the glasses as soon as they are ready
if there is a better scene in any film about forgiveness then let me see it
but there's more - adi's uncle is exposed as having sided with the military
acting as a guard of people captured and then driven away to their deaths
adi bluntly telling him he is partly responsible for his own nephews murder
but again no contrition - and again no anger or vengeance coming from adi
his mother shocked at the news of her brother but she too seems forgiving
and then another interview with a death squad member with his daughter
more talk of blood-drinking rituals and his loving daughter now shocked
all three of them seen embracing in the horror of what has transpired
i am numbed and fully absorbed by what is unfolding on the screen
as adi returns to his family his wife admonishes him for his actions
he finally seen watching the murderers bragging on his small tv
powerful stuff - director joshua oppenheimer has pulled it off
delivery a sequel of equal intensity to his stunning first film
here mixing in a human element that ramps up the effect
and clearly questioning the darkness of the human spirit
but equally demonstrating the importance of forgiveness
and education...and family...and compassion...and love...

phoenix

a german film set in berlin post world war 2 is enticing
more so as it stars nina hoss last seen in barbara at nziff 2014
that memorable (i think) film also directed by christian petzold
a promise here of a hitchcock-esque film-noir drama irresistible
a woman at night driving a car and constantly checking her passenger
pulling up to a roadblock and harrassed by the american armed guards
nice car - where's it from - switzerland as am i - we then see the passenger
her head wrapped in bloodied bandages which the guard orders to remove
the driver advising she is from the camps - an apology and waved through
scenes in a hospital with a surgeon asking what face the patient now wants
suggesting an opportunity for a change is good - but - i want my old face back
when she is released the 2 ladies take up common residence and make plans
lene (driver) is keen to travel to palestine presumably to be part of the new israel
but nelly has an urge to find her family though known to be killed by the nazis
she is then seen picking through the rubble of the now destroyed family home
and at night standing outside a music club - phoenix - recognising a patron
this as he hauls a lady away for a quick bit of business nelly is witness to
but no it is not her husband johnny but a man who then proceeds to mug her
back at the shared house lene chastises her for her naivety alone at night
seems berlin post-war is a dangerous place particularly for jewish women
despite lene's protestations nelly continues the quest to find her husband
which she then does at the club but he does not recognise her changed face
but - she is now quite rich - and he does recognise the chance to cash in
he hatches a plan for the 2 of them to fake her arrival back in berlin
long enough to secure her inheritance which they will share 50-50
ok - thinking - this is a bit of a stretch but i may be missing something
we and she know she is his wife but he only sees a passing resemblance
lene is horrified that nelly has made contact and warns her to avoid him
for it is he that dobbed his own wife into the nazis but nelly is not sure
she then proceeds to play along with johnny's plan to get to the truth
right - hence the hitchcock talk - a simple premise with a big twist
it's hard to know if johnny has twigged to it but he works on the plan
this partly involves a visit to a country lake where she was hidden
and meeting the local innkeepers who do seem to recognise her
this throws him a bit and some creeping doubt now in his mind
especially when he does then drop her real name but he pushes on
he prepares her for an arrival by train to be met by him and friends
insisting that he needs to scar her arm to fake removal of her number
he says released auschwitz prisoners did so that will aid authenticity
in a further twist it is revealed lene has surprisingly committed suicide
her dream of getting to palestine with nelly now dashed - and a note
i am drawn more to the dead than the living - and another document
proof that nelly's husband divorced her just before the nazis arrested her
thot plickens - and the finale arrives - she steps off the train as arranged
friends gather and embrace her - she walks to johnny to play it out
her head on his shoulder as he planned and then off they all go
a lunch at a large country estate and lots of small talk flowing
and then nelly suggests a song and johnny to play the piano
she sings - speak low - his face drains as he realises the truth
her voice for one thing and her prison number seen on her arm
she finishes the song - she walks out of the room - the film ends
interesting - i kind of get the rave reviews - but - but - not sure
a lot of time thinking about it afterwards suggests an impact
maybe a repeat viewing - it will certainly stand up to that...

amy

amy winehouse - is there anything left to learn about her
her adult life owned by the media and we were all voyeurs
but i do enjoy a good music-based documentary so let's see
opening scenes showing the lady at a friend's 14th birthday party
she seems a happy girl though the cigarette in hand suggests attitude
hamming it up with a fake microphone and the unique voice is there
name-checking the great jazz singers she loves including tony bennett
fast forward a few years and then seen in a car with a male friend
he a musician and a young manager securing some studio time
more than they need in fact so amy is invited to try out the studio
her talent shines through of course and the wheels are now in motion
a clamouring of major record labels then sees a record deal done
big money paid too meaning amy can afford to set up her own place
not a happy home life with her errant dad admitting a life of adultery
amy now free to spend her days 'smoking weed and writing songs'
the result of that being debut album frank that is quite successful
the film so far - ok for a bunch of random videos stitched together
a feeling that someone has decided there's a commercial opportunity
fair enough - but i'm hanging in for something special to happen up there
snatches of her music only so far - no full-length mind-blowing performance
the cynic kicks in - bet they could not get permission from the publishers
anyway we keep at it though 30 minutes in and 90 to go seems a stretch
we meet the man she falls in love with - blake fielder - not a nice chap
it's kind of sad in fact to once again see a nice girl besotted with a prat
she does come across as a genuinely nice person with real problems
not only her choice of partner and family issues but her health also
bulimia has been a constant in her life and a constant battle for her
she does gorge on mostly unhealthy food which is secretly rejected
intentionally or not the film does depict she leads a quite sad life
this translated into song lyrics seen as sub-titles as she sings them
some brief but interesting scenes of her recording back to black
fame comes her way but contentment dramatically eludes her
her early girlfriends are left behind though avail themselves
and the men in amy's life do nothing to provide guidance
her boyfriend gets her hooked on crack cocaine and heroin
at least one person suggesting he doing that to control her
her father seems more focused on his now accidental fame
and other men seem quite weak or there only to do their job
the swarming paparazzi like vultures waiting for the kill
scenes of flashing cameras wound up for maximum effect
pretty sad really with respite coming only in performance
the brief scenes of that in the film do show her genuine talent
this acknowledged by her idol tony bennett who awards a grammy
and then asks her to sing with him for a song on his duets album
seeing that another point of respite for her and us the audience
the film then wraps up pretty quickly with her death in 2011
a feeling of inevitability pervades and then the hand-wringing
relief really with a 2 hour expose of amy's sad life now over
i can't say i was at all enthralled by this busy documentary
just too much of a fact check and lots of them thrown up
reading wikipedia after pretty well read like the film script
a lot of ground covered but with no emotional investment
mind you - 'from the directors of senna' - says it all really
the focus of the film to feed the insatiable fascination (few)
me - a feeling concentration on one aspect would be better
e.g. the recording of back to black would be more soulful
maybe that will come as even in death she is an enigma
so no escape there then - sad really - thanks - amy...

the mafia only kills in summer

opening night of new zealand international film festival 2015
an interesting pick - huge in italy - unheard of anywhere else
actor/director/writer pierfrancesco diliberto - pif is well known
italy's answer to jon stewart also with his own satirical tv show
this is his first film based on sicily's long struggle with the mafia
it starts in 1969 with the conception of arturo - he doing voiceover
his parents on their wedding night are consummating their marriage
this in the same building that a mafia boss runs his shady operation
and on this night visited by a rival gang disguised as police officers
a violent shootout which we then seen comically affecting the sperm
some clever animation showing all but one sperm reversing direction
the egg is fertilised - and so it is arturo's life is influenced by the mafia
the credits roll - what an enticing start with comedy in the violence
and then we are entrenched in the 1970s watching arturo as a child
it's done so well with impressive attention to detail with fashion, etc
his home has the appropriate furniture, decor and tellingly - attitude
his father a tv addict and detached from his son who remains silent
the first word he speaks - mafia - when a priest visits for a blessing
actual tv news items cleverly used to describe the mafia's dominance
the city of palermo in it's grip with any opposing voice assassinated
we witness arturo as a student and his first crush on a classmate
more comedy as his affections are hijacked by a fellow student
flora oblivious to the feelings of the shy and sensitive arturo
just as she warms to him she announces her family is leaving
her father tired of the violence and a relocation to switerland
arturo declares his love in an elaborate pavement chalk drawing
just as we are lulled into the sweetness of this violence returns
a huge car bomb destroys his drawing and the building behind
the family has left but an outspoken lawmakers family killed
and again actual tv footage used to add authenticity to the film
skipping forward a number of years and arturo now a young man
still pining for flora and now working as a pianist for a comedian
he has also befriended a journalist and sees that as his profession
some great scenes of arturo riding around palermo on his moped
job-hunting and as part of that witness to a mafia assassination
flora shows up back in town working as an aid to a politician
she agrees to allow arturo to be their journalist/cameraman
but their views differ on her bosses sincerity towards the mafia
her righteousness leads to her dismissing arturo's romantic notions
and again demonstrating the influence the mob has had on his life
in the meantime the locals are tired of the mafia's violent ways
protests grow in numbers and more actual footage is shown
at one such bustling protest arturo and flora spot each other
an embrace, a kiss, happy days and then we fast forward
flora delivering a baby and arturo the proud father is there
arturo's voiceover providing a most memorable postscript
parents must protect children from the wickedness of the world
they must also teach their children how to recognise wickedness
this as arturo and flora are seen reading from various plaques
placed where people standing up to the mafia were assassinated
me - brought a smile to my face - a great ending to a superb film
good choice for the opening night of nziff - woo-hoo - here we go...

blick bassy - ako

blick bassy - a new name to me but glad i checked him out
coinciding with the release of this album and so a few reviews read
the guardian (uk) offering a short paragraph in high praise of the record
a short but beautifully realised gem from an innovative paris label
that label being no format! - best described as the ecm of african music
at least in terms of artistic consistency as seen on the label's website
the guardian review speaking of an ethereal voice, cellos, trombones
and homage to and commonality with american blues singer skip james
'nuff said - hit up google play for a sample and it's love at first note
the album opener just exquisite and onto the radio show playlist
ake - it sounds like a plucked cello, harmonia and the ethereal voice
some beautiful vocal harmonies in the mix also on this most gentle tune
his voice is the african component to a stunning minimalist blues/folk feel
kiki picks up the pace and a trombone and banjo also added to the mix
the striking thing is it sounds so unique - bluegrass/jazz/soul/african
exciting really with a sense that a whole new genre has been found
big call of course but the next tune - wap do wap - is also unique
a jazzed up double bass leading to an infectious sing-a-long tune
with harmonising trombones and tuned out strings in the mix
another short sharp blast of music all over in a couple of minutes
and so it goes - each track stunningly produced and oozing - love
who is this man - born in 1974 in cameroon but now lives in france
in a small village after spending time in brazil studying bossa nova
snatches of information thrown up by google but nothing on wiki
most references are to this album - wildly eclectic tunes - agreed
his own website providing a compelling introduction to the man
yikes - he one of 21 brothers and sisters - his father had 3 wives
childhood devoted to music and choirs made up of the full family
his want now to live in a small rural village to match his upbringing
a devotion to bassa the main ethnic language of his home country
further listening and 'voice as instrument' easily comes to mind
a lazy way of describing vocals in a foreign language no doubt
but here blick bassy does use his voice apart from singing words
ceu jorge comes to mind also both vocally and instrumentally
but the main influence according to the experts is skip james
blues delta singer from mississippi born 1902 and died 1969
revered by blick bassy alongside marvin gaye and nina simone
which provides a bit of a handle on his love of singing and songs
what a gorgeous album - 11 tracks - average length under 3 minutes
me - hooked (obviously) and very happy to make his acquaintance
so good to stumble on a genuine and unique talent in their early days
this the 3rd album for blick bassy but surely many more to follow
his touring schedule suggesting he is a prolific live performer
mostly in his adopted country of france but maybe womad?
we shall see but in the meantime repeat listening it is...

okia reserve

part 3 of the on-going series of local sunday excursions
a little project to build a portfolio of places for easy day-trips
we started 2 weeks ago with a re-visit to the stunning tunnel beach
last week it was a wander along the beach and lagoon at waikouaiti
cold, windy and a bit of rain - a typical winter's day but well enjoyed
today - a rare spring-like day with a warm sun, clear skies and no wind
okia reserve had been casually mentioned on a website promoting walks
sounded interesting and never-before-visited so an easy agreement reached
an always enjoyable drive along portobello road past the town and a right turn
onto weir road - gravel but smooth enough and up, over and down the hill we go
skirt gently around the pristine papanui inlet and then hang a left onto rivell road
sheep, ducks and geese seeming non-plussed about anther car of invading tourists
the road ends with a small car-park already near full - ah - a well known secret
a sign suggests a 90 minute round trip or 150 minutes with an added loop walk
easy so off we head with a lunch-loaded backpack and several jackets on each
stage one is a purpose built flat track straight across the wetland-now-farmland
the aptly named pyramids are the first stop -  a pair of rocky bush covered hills
a sign suggesting an easy 10 minute walk up the smaller one for stunning views
never one to shun some vertical ascension so we hit the goat track up to the top
yep - stunning alright and a sign at the summit describing the peak's formation
the pyramid being hardened lava from volcanic activity 2 million years ago
kakadu comes to mind as we look out across wetlands in this ancient place
we can also see the ocean in the distance and hear rhe roar of victory beach
an easy descent and pushing on following a track and information signs
seems the area was cleared for farmland way back but now a reversal
native trees are being re-planted to hopefully restore the wetlands area
a mental note to revisit and watch progress as we head to the beach
the ups and downs of the track more pronounced until we hit the coast
jaws-drop as we stand atop a large sand dune with a pristine beach below
no choice but to take a free-fall scramble down the dune and onto the sand
omg - 100% pure - a long flat beach with cliffs and sea-mist at each end
silhouettes of other visitors at one end but we are alone here in paradise
nothing else to do but take a slow amble and enjoy the wonder of this place
large waves are crashing and a reminder of the source of the name of the beach
a/the s s victory ship-wrecked off the coast in the clearly wild seas out there
today the piles of wood and weed washed up on-shore confirm the danger
it's not quite hot enough today anyway so no chance of a tempting swim
we look out for the promise of sea-lions or a rare yellow-eyed penguin
nothing so we settle on a beached tree and enjoy a primitive lunch
tearing into a cooked chook and washed down with coconut water
then a gentle walk to the cliffs and a juvenile sea leopard is spotted
it's head and large eyes seen in the rocks equally checking us out
we scramble up the sand dune and follow a hint of a track back
some scrambling through the scrub required at times but no risk
the pyramids remain in sight so no danger of getting lost here
jackets are dispensed as we work up a sweat on this warm day
the loop track is then found and a re-trace of the path back out
back to the car to complete a 3 hour expedition in okia reserve
simply stunning - what a discovery - top of the hit-list already
drive out, back over the hill to the aptly named penguin cafe
a coffee enjoyed looking out over a sunny otago harbour - happy...

mr holmes

in one sense this film seems a kind of obvious construction
put one well-known and well-loved actor into an equal role
made even more popular recently by downey and cumberbatch
and therefore cynically suggesting a sure-fire box-office success
so what - the reviews are glowing and ian mckellen is a class act
we're in a train in the opening scene with sherlock in a carriage
displaying his sharp perceptive skills from the start to a young boy
he alights at a country town and travels by taxi to a country home
first impressions - impressive - the attention to detail is thorough
vehicles, costumes, houses, hairstyles etc all well dated post-war
mr mckellen also seems in fine form playing an aged eccentric
the home he arrives at is his own - he has returned from japan
he is met by his housekeeper mrs munro and her young son roger
she played by a plained-down frumped-up (american) laura linney
cursory greetings and then sherlock is seen attending to his bees
giving roger and us a few lessons on the hierarchical life in a hive
a rare smile from the man as the boy probes with sensible questions
royal jelly is discussed - harvested by sherlock to aid creeping dementia
and his latest procurement - liquid from the elusive japanese prickly ash
sherlock is desperate to conclude his last case abandoned 30 years prior
and into flashback mode we go as snatches of the case come to his mind
dr watson has married and so is conveniently written out of this script
leaving the man to take on the latest case of a man with wife troubles
she has miscarried twice and depressive and now an obsessive musician
the glass harmonium - he bans it - she continues to take lessons in secret
the younger sherlock is hired to follow her as the flashback concludes
holmes then seen desperately trying to recall and write up the case
he knows he failed and gave up his work to retire to the country
it's all quite riveting with ian mckellen very deftly playing mr holmes
in later scenes as an old man and also a convincing 30 years younger
roger his young sidekick matches his manner, intelligence and curiosity
another series of flashbacks details the recent trip to post-war japan
retrieving a prickly ash plant from the scarred landscape of hiroshima
a few disfigured people providing a questionable slight on atomic war
sherlock is being hosted by the son of an acquaintance from london
another mystery worked into the mix - what is the connection there?
so there are 3 stories now cleverly interwoven into this absorbing film
back to the unsolved case and we learn the mystery woman is suicidal
our man finally confronts her and accurately tells her everything he knows
including her suicide plan - her response - you are as lonely as i - be my friend
confronting stuff for sherlock - in shock he advises her to return to her husband
within hours she has died in front of a train and sherlock is seriously affected
admitting he is a loner and having rejected a beautiful woman he then retires
back in the present day young roger is attacked by a angry swarm of wasps
he is hospitalised - and a less than convincing scene of a distraught mother
similarly sherlock throws himself to the ground and weeps over the boy
but of course - he survives - and sherlock has found contentment at last
they all live happily ever after - nice - a happy ending here is good
very good film actually - good plotting, pacing and acting too
take a bow mr mckellen - you now own sherlock holmes...

far from the madding crowd

saw carey mulligan talking this one up on graham norton's show
directed by thomas vinterberg - the hunt - that a scarily good film
this one also getting rave reviews and a big score on rotten tomatoes
a good period piece is always good value so that convinces us to see it
the film an adaptation of a well-known book apparently though not read
so it will be interesting to see if the film can deliver to us new-comers
bathsheba everdene (mulligan) is in voiceover in the opening scene
explaining the unknown source of her name and early loss of parents
1870 dorset - she a farmhand and keen horsewoman in her own time
the hills and dales of the english countryside seen as she gallops her horse
so yes stunning scenery and no doubt it will be a major character also
she has a chance meeting with her farmer neighbour gabriel oak (yep)
he is as wholesome and handsome as she is fearless and beautiful
he proposes on the spot - startled but says she has no need for a man
the use of light and close-ups tells us there is only one way this will end
a turn of events sees him lose his flock and farm - she inherits her own
a childless uncle leaving her his large estate including a huge mansion
including a team of workers that she promises to astound with her work
she has another single male neighbour - a wealthy farmer - he is smitten
on a visit by her he announces he has good pigs - and will you marry me
crikey these lads don't muck around though presumably a sign of the times
she politely announcing she does not wish to be anyone's property - thanks
farmer oak then mysteriously shows up looking for work and is appointed
in another sub-plot a soldier is seen jilted at the alter by his young bride
seems she went to the wrong church - he in despair heads for the hills
and lo and behold ends up on bathsheba's farm and a chance meeting
he in full uniform and armed with a sword proceeds to seduce her
impresses with deft swordplay and a passionate kiss and touch-up
this after her announcement that she has never been kissed - swoon
quite comical really - and more so as he then sweeps her off her feet
a secret rendezvous, a secret marriage, total seduction all in a heartbeat
thinking - probably chapters of a book compressed into a couple of scenes
and more so - what happened to the fiercely independent and proud woman?
back at the estate and wedding party night he reveals himself as the prig he is
poor gabriel - has promised to look after her and is witness to this nonsense
but wait - another twist - soldier-boy spots his real love at a local market
begging and pregnant with his child and a promise from him to save her
but before he can she dies in childbirth - he then wades into a wild sea
suicide apparently so problem solved and bathsheba now free again
months of mourning and good harvests and a happy christmas party
her lonely neighbour now feeling the time is right to get her hand
but at the party soldier boy re-appears - he was saved it seems
hauling his wife away he is shot dead by the wealthy neighbour
prison for him, death for the other - leaving - gabriel - and yep
they all lived happily ever after - as predicted in an early scene
na - nice scenery and great costumes - sure - acting - is fine
but what a fizzer of a story up there on the big screen at least
i suspect the book is hugely rewarding but the film is flawed
assumptions are made, character development is truncated
which may account for the unlikely relationships that form
but - the book readers and the anglophiles will love it...

the church

this gig has been 33 years in the making (and dreaming)
in 1982 soon after arriving in australia i was a fan of triple j
tuned in one day at work and 'when you were mine' blasted out
love at first note - album - the blurred crusade bought on that day
and since then played repeatedly and now as a place of aural solace
a few tunes thankfully making it to bulging set lists since then also
the band just keeps getting better with the latest peak further deeper
that album released last year and almost predictably on high rotation
so unbelievable excitement at the announcement of this mid-2015 tour
the blurred crusade from start to finish followed by further deeper
a dream gig and an australian trip arranged around the sydney show
i get myself to the show early enough to get the position of choice
standing 3-4 metres from stage centre for optimal sight and sound
the place soon fills up with well-mannered and older-generation fans
a looped woman's voice providing appropriate ephemeral atmosphere
dry ice blown on stage builds and dissipates - the wait is excruciating
when the lads finally hit the stage the crowd goes wild - 'good evening'
straight into it - almost with you - and with that it's an instant time warp
and great to again see the ageless peter koppes and a very lithe steve kilbey
new man ian haug looking the part and tim the-rock powles is back of stage
he and utility man craig wilson seem a long way off relatively but we'll cope
second tune - when you were mine - been wanting that live for a long time
no disappointment with the band firing already and obviously well rehearsed
the church does not take their audience at all for granted in their live show
the songs peeled off and each perfectly executed including another favourite
just for you - ian haug simulating the door-knock on his acoustic guitar body
yours truly irresistibly shouting out - yeh wait there - to some peer approval
the song the best love song ever methinks and now heard live is just so - sigh
you took - a regular in their set and absolutely incendiary in context tonight
the intro is mind-blowing and the long instrumental is a blissful aural assault
when the band then connects to close out the song it is totally spine-chilling
and then don't look back - gasp - this band has stayed true to that sentiment
so, so happy with the set and then a promise of more and - oh my god - melt
the recognisable opening notes of life speeds up - a long lost classic tune
inexplicably not on any official album and not heard live in living memory
here on this night it is stunning - like the band has been playing it relentlessly
which they should - it is gloriously long with multiple key and tempo changes
it sounds so contemporary (well yes like the album it follows) - i'm delirious
sk announces a 15 minute break which gives them and us a chance to re-group
and then - further deeper we go - a promise of a bunch of tunes from the album
vanishing man rightfully first and now an unexpected lift in intensity on-stage
ian haug was looking and sounding good before - now he's glowing with pride
and the sound is just incredible with the layered sounds of the album also there
other album tracks played just as well and me thinking i am in aural heaven
the back-catalogue is also plundered for a mix of well-known and rare tunes
there's not a note missed and guitars come and go with each passing track
and the energy levels remain high - sk in particular is all over the stage
doing the splits with his beloved bass a favourite and impressive pose
3 amazing hours of sonic bliss - head back, eyes closed a necessity
soak it all up - it just does not get any better for this long time fan
the only disappointment - it ended - no - the crowd response
apart from the hit single they seemed kind of...reserved...
a few exceptions but mostly it seemed a bit understated
we got them out for 1 encore - more - but it not happen
what an incredible gig - expectations met - and surpassed....

darwin (adieu)

monday 29th of june - a couple of days left in this territory
we wake at wangi falls campground in litchfield national park
this morning's plan is to do the 800 metre hill-top climb/walk
up past last night's treetop destination and celebration point
climbing up to the top of the escarpment and crossing streams
these feeding the tall waterfalls into the large pool down below
it's a quite pleasant scramble up and down using a man-made path
again amazed at the effort people put in to make life easier for others
we work up a bit of a sweat - good - and then we plunge into the pool
there's patches of warm but mostly cold water as we re-visit the falls
another chance to be pummeled by water falling from a great height
we are alone again in this pristine place as we swim back and exit
into the campervan and drive to the equally famous florence falls
a descent down a set of stairs containing 135 steps - count 'em
another beautiful pool and falls but crawling with them tourists
we take a swim anyway to complete the set and then head away
next stop - berry springs - a large tavern first stop for brunch
then a visit to the springs - at any other time it would be amazing
but we have been seriously indulged so no swim - let's get set up
a couple of caravan parks listed and we select tumbling waters
lovely setup, lovely people, restful surroundings so we stay put
an evening re-packing and re-laxing in the quiet under the stars
next day we head back to darwin via palmerston - tidy town it is
there's a few hours to kill before return of the vehicle so we wander
a visit to darwin's fish markets interesting but it's certainly not sydney
then a final stop at east point overlooking the bay and to the ocean beyond
beautiful outlook too - a chance to sit quietly before the final burst of activity
the famous $15 lunch and asahi beer at monsoons bar then return the vehicle
an evening free used up with an enjoyable long walk around the waterfront
destination - stokes hill wharf spotted a week ago from our sailing trip
no disappointment either with an array of nice looking food outlets
we are tempted by crustaceans seafood restaurant and sit outside
full moon too - warm as - oysters, scallops and chilli mud crab
delicious and a wander back to the h hotel through the city mall
next day - breakfast taken at eva's cafe in the botannical gardens
then - sniff - farewell darwin - a near 3 hour flight over to brisbane
though pleasantly spent conversing with a rigger from the gas project
he one of many thousands of workers based off-shore from darwin
a lot learnt in that time and also a mutual respect for the host city
then down to sydney - the loop completed - a wonderful 17 days
so much seen, so much relaxation had and a plan to return...