Waiting City (Drama)

There seems to be a run of films on the theme of adoption at the moment and this Aussie movie is the latest. ‘Waiting City’, starring Joel Edgerton and Radha Mitchell, is a film about a couple that travel to India to adopt a child. The film tackles any issues and so I’m sure audiences will tend to focus on the most personally relevant storylines. For me, I found it to be mostly a sombre exploration of long term relationships, particularly those in which two people seem to change in different directions as they get older.

Ben (played by Edgerton) is a free spirited musician who is in no hurry to leave India and is keen to immerse himself in the Indian culture and traditions and to learn all there is to know about his daughter’s heritage. His character is contrasted sharply throughout the film against his wife, Fiona (played by Mitchell), a control freak lawyer who spends most of their trip working through case files, whilst also managing the administration of and compliance with the local adoption process.

The film is written and directed by Claire McCarthy, who is a relatively young Sydney based director. She knows a thing or two about adoption in India given her last film was a documentary following Claire and her younger sister as they spent two months volunteering at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. The film is apparently the only Australian film shot entirely in India. The way the story is filmed, almost documentary- like, really makes you appreciate the hustle and bustle and colour of India’s capital city – Calcutta.

So much so, it made me want to travel there!

The two main actors definitely bring a richness and a realness to the characters but despite both of their impressive talents, the characters failed to really draw me in. Many times during the film I found myself wondering why these two were even bothering to stay together. It was at best a lukewarm connection, and it was hard to get a sense of any kind of closeness or affection, much less any kind of love left between them. As a result, I found it difficult to get swept up in the story, particularly their longing for a child together. The supporting performances were mixed. Samrat Chakrabati, who plays Krishna, their local guide, puts on a particularly engaging performance, while Isabel Lucas who makes an appearance as a hippy-ish musician and a distraction for Ben was physically captivating but not much else.

For me, albeit with the best intentions, this film came across as being overly ambitious. For example, the film explores the nature of long term love; the excesses associated with western vs. eastern values; the role and value of women who are unable to reproduce; and the importance of religion or spirituality particularly in modern societies. Not insignificant issues right?! But many of these themes were introduced and then not really pursued and I found myself confused about what kind of statements the writer was hoping to make with ‘Waiting City’. Not to say such issues aren’t attention grabbing – which is exactly why I thought it might’ve been nice if the film focussed on a fewer number of themes and took me on a bit more of a journey......

So in summary, ‘Waiting City’ is a good, enjoyable Aussie film set against the colourful and crowded backdrop of India, with some top Aussie actors. And given the breadth of topics covered, most people should be able to find something to grab their attention – even if it’s simply the charm and bustle of Indian street life.

Mother and Child (Drama)

‘Mother and Child’ is film about adoption, and it follows the separate lives of three women each with adoption at the centre of their stories. Firstly, there is Karen (played by Annette Bening) who has a complicated relationship with her own mother and is consumed by guilt over the daughter she gave up for adoption 37 years ago. Secondly, there is beautiful, successful, and fiercely independent Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) who plays the 37 year old daughter Karen gave up for adoption and who, up until now, has shown no interest in tracking down her birth mother. And thirdly, there is Lucy, an African American woman who is married but can’t bear any children so she and her husband decide to look into adoption as an alternative. Eventually, the stories of these three women intertwine in an unpredictable and un-Hollywood kind of way.

If like me - adoption is not a storyline that you feel you can immediately relate to – there are still plenty of reasons to see this film. ‘Mother and Child’ is also a film simply about mother-child relationships which almost all of us can relate to. In particular, ‘Mother and Child’ examines mother-daughter relationships, and the complicated and overwhelming connection that seems to bring all manner of comforts and discomforts to both mother and daughter over a lifetime.

The performances are all amazing and almost every actor pulls off their emotionally mixed up characters very convincingly. Particularly Naomi Watts whose character is so chilling during most of the movie she gives you goosebumps! The performances of the support actors are also compelling, including Jimmy Smits as Paco who plays a work colleague of Karen’s; Samuel L Jackson as Elizabeth’s new boss Paul; and Kerry Washington as Lucy. The only slight drawback is Annette Bening’s performance, which I still found very convincing but the transformation that her character undergoes from the first half to the second half of the film is a bit too extreme, and consequently feels a little far-fetched.

Seeing ‘Mother and Child’ was one of those rare but rewarding movie-going experiences I have where the stories and their characters stay with me for days afterwards. But the film is not without its minor blemishes, such as the almost too dramatic switch in Annette Bening’s character part way through the film that I referred to earlier, along with a couple of slightly cheesy messages every now and then, for example that the love of a good man can fix everything (that’s a bit retro isn’t it?!). But there are plenty of new, intelligent, and not so cheesy messages to get you thinking. It does leave you wondering about missed opportunities; about the fact that for some decisions in life the only time to act is now; and about how people always seem to be happier if they can manage to soften up a little.

I really loved this film, and found it haunting and moving even though the central theme was not one that was particularly pertinent for me which I think is one of the signs of a great flick. I highly recommend ‘Mother and Child’, although it’s probably not a great pick for a hot date, and may not be the best film to catch with your mum if you’re working through any serious “issues”!

• Director and writer Rodrigo Marquez is the son of Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Naomi Watts only spent 8 days filming her role
• Annette Bening is actually only 10 years older than Naomi Watts, despite playing her mum in this film.
  

Heads up from the Unsophisticate

I didn’t get around to writing a full review on this film I was lucky enough to catch at the Sydney film festival but I wanted to tell everyone to go and see ‘The Most Dangerous Man in America’ – it’s an amazing documentary about Daniel Ellsberg a US Defence analyst working at the Pentagon during the Vietnam War. This doco was also a 2010 Academy Award nominee and received several awards at various 2009/2010 film festivals.

Is it better to betray your country or your friends? Most of us won’t find ourselves needing to ponder this question during our lives although we may certainly finding ourselves having to make a call between betraying a friend or a colleague for a greater good or for a bigger cause. It’s an evocative quandary and is the central question Ellsberg wrestled with back in the late 1960s when he was involved in preparing a report on the Vietnam War commissioned by McNamara, the US Defence Secretary at the time. Despite once having been a proponent for the Vietnam war –serving as a strategist and also as a Marine Corp Commander – the burden of the truth becomes too much for him and Ellsberg makes a decision to copy and circulate the reports 47 volumes to the Press (which hence became known as the Pentagon Papers). The events that then unfold are enthralling.

The story is incredibly interesting and has many parallels to the recent Iraq War and the Bush administration. So the conclusions and the questions highlighted are still very relevant to us today. The film is full of great footage from the time, interspersed with some animation to re-enact certain events, as well as recent interviews with Ellsberg, his family members, and other political and media personalities that were involved in the controversy at the time.

For Sydneysiders, it’s playing at the Chauvel, Oxford Street in Paddo and I don’t think it will be there for long so go see it this weekend. Otherwise be sure to add it to your Quickflix/Netflix queue when it comes out!

SFF 2010 Wrap Up

The Sydney Film Festival always seems to come around at exactly the right time of year doesn’t it? Summer’s over, the cold and the rain are starting to set in and just as I’m starting to feel a bit down and lost wondering what the hell us Sydneysiders ever did to fill in our weekends during last winter – the Sydney Film Festival arrives! And for almost 2 weeks in early June each year, life seems perfectly fulfilling again. The Sydney Film Festival can’t really be drawing to a close already can it? I am in denial. So what am I going to miss most?

Firstly, flipping through the SFF program and reading through each of the film summaries in eager anticipation as I wonder how on earth I’m ever going to fit in all of the films I want to see.

Secondly, the free Festival Talks in the Statement lounge that I found educational and often inspirational and a great way to fill in time before movies.

Thirdly, when time is tight between films, and the tummy is rumbling – the potato and leek soup from the State Theatre coffee cart totally hits the spot.

Fourthly, sharing thoughts and perspectives with random strangers in the bathroom queue about the film we just watched.

And finally, of course, the chance to hang out with friends and family whilst enjoying so many interesting, thought-provoking, and unique local and international films – an experience that is often hard to find in Sydney outside of festival time. The documentaries left the most lasting impression on me this year. In particular, I was enthralled by the stories and the people profiled in –

• The Oath
• Bill Cunningham – New York
• The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg & the Pentagon Papers
• And in terms of feature films, I also loved, loved, loved –
• Life During Wartime
• If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle, and
• The Refuge

So as you’ve probably gathered, I’m REALLY going to miss the festival, but just to ease the pain a little, there are definitely a few things I won’t miss: the particularly uncomfy chairs in the dress circle at the State Theatre; queuing up for the ladies at the end of a film; and spending so many hours locked up with so many flu-ridden Sydneysiders as they cough and sneeze their way through the screenings. Regardless of those little niggles, I’m already full of anticipation for next year’s festival.

And given the success of this year’s festival (66 sold out films and 20% up on takings!) there are certainly expectations for an equally successful festival next year but no doubt the SFF team will deliver again! But for now, there’s no more denying it. Sydney Film Festival 2010 is over for another year. So I’ll have to find something else to do with my time. Maybe I’ll take up smoking?

As they say on set – And that’s a wrap.

The Unsophisticates Update #7

SFF Film - If I want to Whistle, I Whistle (Drama)

I wanted to whistle loudly myself after this film. Some kind of loud obnoxious wolf whistle – but I decided that probably wasn’t the best way to show my appreciation in such a refine and cultured setting! This debut feature film, from Romanian director Florin Serban, is nothing short of incredible.

‘If I want to Whistle, I Whistle’ is a raw and emotionally charged story about 18 year old Silviu who has spent the last four years in a harsh and rundown juvenile detention centre and is going to be released in a matter of days. He’s had a stellar behaviour record so far so it shouldn’t be that hard to keep it together for a few more days right? But after a visit from his little brother Marius, Silviu learns that their mother has recently returned after an eight year absence and is planning to take Marius back to Italy with her. His anger and resentment and complete lack of control over the situation leads him to take a series of risks that threaten to derail his pending release.

The film is about choices – when to make them and for what reasons. From the moment Silviu learns of his mother’s plans, I found the suspense almost unbearable as I silently pleaded with him from my theatre seat to make the “right” choices at each junction he was faced with. But as we all do, Silviu must decide for himself what is ultimately the “right” choice given the circumstances he finds himself in. The film also cleverly illustrates that it is often not just our own choices, but the choices of others that ultimately determine our destiny. In Silviu’s case, choices made by his mother (past and present), choices made by the prison warden, choices made by other inmates, will all go towards determining whether he will attain the freedom he is so close to. But if someone else is pulling all the strings, sometimes the only option left to us is take back control anyway we can get it. Just as the title says – If I want to whistle, I whistle.

The performances in this film are stunning. Indeed there is Daniel Mitulescu, the 18 year old drama student (who is now 19 as he assertively pointed out during the post film talk!) who has an extraordinary on screen presence given his limited experience (oh and his off screen presence is pretty good too!). There are also incredibly convincing performances from his fellow inmates, many of whom are apparently real inmates from a juvenile penitentiary and who were auditioned during acting workshops facilitated by the director at the prison where the story was filmed. Apparently Romanian film is experiencing somewhat of a new wave of international success, and if this film is representative, then it’s easy to understand why.

‘If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle’ is a must-see film. Deservedly so, it has already won two major awards at the recent Berlin International Film Festival. Of all the Official Competition films I’ve seen so far, this one’s got my vote – or should I say this one’s got my wolf whistle.

The Unsophisticates Update #6

SFF - Lola (Drama)

‘Lola’ is the word for Grandma in Filipino. This moving film from Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, follows the journey of two grandmas, Lola Sepa and Lola Puring, as they try to come to some peace with the fact that one of their grandsons has been stabbed to death by the other’s grandson during a robbery. ‘Lola’ is a beautifully filmed story with family and loyalty at it’s heart, and with the Manila rainy season as the backdrop which adds to the beauty and the struggle inherent in the film.

The director of Lola, Brillante Mendoza definitely lives up to his namesake – he is quite simply brilliant and the rate at which he churns out top quality films must make him one of the most prolific film makers today! During the Q&A session following the film, Mendoza described his films as “truths, not box office hits” and the no frills way he shoots certainly helps reinforce that he is simply telling a real life story about real people. Right from the first scene you get a sense that Mendoza’s storytelling style is unique as the bumpy camera follows Lola Sepa and her youngest grandson on a long meander through the bustling Manila streets to find the place where her other grandson was murdered so that they can leave a burning candle in his honour. With minimal dialogue he manages to convey so much about the grief they are experiencing, the strong connection between grandmother and grandson, and the many struggles that are their life.

Aside from being a beautiful story about these two grandmas, their families, and the tragedy that they are forced to deal with, ‘Lola’ is also a commentary on the poverty that exists in a place like the Philippines and the day to day survival decisions one must make when faced with such poverty. The film also explores the justice system in such an environment, and the fact that sometimes, the notion of justice in such poverty stricken societies becomes something that is quite malleable and quite personal.

After watching ‘Lola’, it’s not at all surprising that this film has already won several awards, including the Dubai and Miami film festivals, and that it drew significant crowds at the recent Tribeca Film Festival. Firstly, the acting is brilliant and so understated that at several times during the film I thought I was watching a documentary. Secondly, the film is shot in a way that really matches the realness and the simplicity of the story and makes you feel like you are a silent observer. Thirdly, there are so many simple, beautiful and moving scenes to enjoy. For example, the scene where the two grandmas have to first confront each other at the police station. Or the scene, during which Lola Sepa comes face to face with her grandson’s murderer. Or a scene in the family house when you start to feel that the Sepa family luck might be turning as fish start appearing spontaneously in their well!

Lola is definitely worth a look. It’s an amazing insight into a culture, a way of living, and a poverty that most of us will only ever truly experience through film. But Lola is more than just educational – its heart wrenching, it’s astonishing, and it’s uplifting. And after spending a couple of hours with Lola Sepa and Lola Puring, you’ll feel like you spent the night with your own Grandma!

The Unsophisticates Update #5

SFF Film - The Oath (Documentary)

Wow! Straight up I have apologise to the person who was sitting next to me seeing as I think I sat there with my mouth agape for most of the screening. This film was gripping. The title of the film - ‘the oath’ - is the name given to a brief pledge sworn by new members upon their induction into Al Qaeda. This compelling documentary tells the story of two men and a fateful encounter in 1996 that led them both to Osama Bin Laden and then onto an extraordinary course of events. The first man is Abu Jandal who was once Osama Bin Laden’s bodyguard and is now a taxi driver in Yemen. The other man is Abu’s brother in law (and Bin Laden’s former driver), Salim Hamdan, who since became a prisoner at Gauntanamo Bay and was then the first man to be taken to trial under the military tribunals that the Bush Administration devised post 9/11.

This film is directed by American director Loira Poitras. Her first Oscar nominated documentary - “My Country, My Country”- was made in occupied Iraq and explored the lead up to the 2005 Iraqi elections. For ‘The Oath’, Poitras apparently shot all of her footage alone in Yemen which she filmed over a two year period, and a dozen trips to Yemen. A brave woman you might say! Brave because of the obvious danger she puts herself in when filming as a female foreigner in war torn territories, but also brave because her documentaries put forward a perspective that is often counter to the one US promotes. Just one of the many reasons that make her latest film such a compelling watch.

She describes her approach as ‘macro-micro’ which essentially entails “following an individual story to look at the bigger questions”. The individual story that is used in ‘The Oath’ is that of Abu Jandal. The film mostly looks at the war on terror from his point of view and he’s a particularly engaging storyteller but presents with some contradictions that as a viewer, I found myself constantly trying to reconcile (e.g. he has renounced terrorism but still supports Al Qaeda). He’s articulate and full of charisma and oozes charm, which at times made me wonder if I wasn’t being seduced by him myself! The continual close ups of Abu Jandals face, as he is being interviewed or while he is driving his taxi, had the effect of making me feel a very close and personal connection with him. Whilst we do not get the same opportunity to connect with Salim Hamdan given we don’t actually get to meet him during the film, we do meet his family, and we do get to hear some of his letters from prison which all adds to the emotion in the lead up to the trial.

‘The Oath’ is really a commentary on the consequences of American foreign policy. Both during and after the screening you can’t help but wonder about the implications of deciding someone is guilty by association, about whether the human consequences of political decisions are sufficiently considered, and about the fairness of legal systems that change the rules part way through the game. In fact it seems the only thing you aren’t left wondering about, is that in these situations there is always so much more grey than black and white. Interestingly, Poitras is aiming for a post 9/11 trilogy, with the third documentary potentially exploring the controversial topic of US surveillance.

This movie definitely moved me. Regardless of your opinion on Al Qaeda and the war on terror, this is a rare opportunity to gain some insight into a perspective that isn’t often publicized and will no doubt help us all to understand the region, and the associated issues a little more and what harm could possibly come from that? I swear I was blown away by ‘The Oath’, its Oscar nomination is well deserved and I for one will be hanging out for the third installment in Poitras’ trilogy.

The Unsophisticates Update #4

SFF Film - Life During Wartime (Drama/Comedy)

I can’t remember the last time I laughed at so much sadness! To be honest it felt kind of awkward at first, particularly during the opening scene of ‘Life During Wartime’ when I realized I was laughing out loud as I watched both Joy and her husband cry miserably throughout their anniversary dinner. But once I realized the rest of the State Theatre was laughing along with me, I started to feel quite relaxed about seeing the amusing side of other people’s misfortunes. And I’m quite sure the writer, Todd Solondz, wouldn’t have minded at all. In fact I think he would’ve been quite chuffed had he been sitting in the Theatre on Saturday morning with us. After all, he does use the delightful phrase – “sad comedies” - to describe his films. And whilst I totally loved all 96 minutes of this film, I did wonder at times if it could’ve been more aptly described as a “funny tragedy”.

‘Life During Wartime’ is directed and written by Todd Solondz and is the sequel to his 1998 film Happiness. In his latest film, Solondz picks up on the same characters a decade later, albeit with a completely different set of actors. And for those of you that were going to give this film a miss on account of not having seen the prequel, I would strongly suggest you revisit that decision. It’s perfectly coherent and fulfilling as a standalone film. I for one have not seen ‘Happiness’ (although I added it to my Netflix cue as soon as I got home) and I still found this film thoroughly engaging and enjoyable and at no stage during the storyline did I feel like I was missing out on some assumed prior knowledge.

‘Life During Wartime’ is about the three Jordan sisters and their complicated relationships with men, each other, and their own parents. The performances of the three sisters are all amazing. Shirley Henderson, who plays the youngest sister Joy, is so convincingly crazy I’m still having trouble reconciling the real Shirley’s character when she was introduced by Festival Director, Claire Stewart at the start of the film. Allison Janney, as the single mum Trish, is so entertaining in her honesty and frankness that I just loved every minute she was on screen. And Ally Sheedy as Helen (the arty sister who has been hooking up with Keanu) is hilarious and made me realize that it’s been way too long since the Breakfast Club! And finally the noteworthy performance of Trish’s son, Timmy (played by Dylan Riley Schnyder) – a character who is central to so much of the story as he tries to come to terms with difficult feelings towards his dad as well as his mum’s new relationship - made me think he must have been through a lot in his short life to be able to portray such a messed up little kid.

This film explores the topic of forgiveness, and the amazing capacity we have as humans to forgive people for incredible hurt caused – particularly by family members. There’s also interesting discussions about what’s ‘unforgiveable’ and it’s enlightening to watch each of the different characters wrestle with their own limits regarding what can and can’t be forgiven. The film is also a commentary on suburban American life and the fact that clean, issue-free lives and relationships might be more abnormal than normal. Yet normal still seems to be what we’re all striving for…

Whilst the subject matter is heavy and at times a little depressing, I actually found the film oddly uplifting. I think this is partly due to the hope and persistence all of the characters share about relationships, in spite of all the terrible things that seem to come from being in one. As Trish exclaims during a date early on the film, she’s just stoked to meet someone who isn’t “sicko–pervy”! The other thing about this film which helps to overshadow the tragedy, is the beauty and exactness that is evident in every shot, filled with contrasting colours and deliberately positioned backgrounds. It would’ve made for a beautiful series of still colour photographs.

Many of Solondz films have been controversial (in fact ‘Happiness’ was dropped by the initial distributor) and this latest film is likely to be no different, raising its own controversy on account of pedophilia themes, open discussions regarding rape and homosexuality, and questionable parenting styles. But better to be controversial than predictable don’t you think? ‘Life During Wartime’ certainly doesn’t bear any resemblance to conventional Hollywood storylines and as Solondz once said “I don’t think I’ll ever write a film that is meant to appeal to everyone” – but sad-comedy or funny-tragedy - it certainly appealed a whole lot to me.