LA Zombie...

LA Zombie the film by American director Bruce LaBruce which was supposed to screen as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) but was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board, is now being shown as part of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF).

MUFF Director, Richard Wolstencroft is said to be screening the film on August 29th as a public protest against the classification standards and in support of 'Freedom of Speech'.

So for those who dare, support this screening and what it stands for!

Charisse-MovieRevue
http://www.charisse-movierevue.blogspot.com/

Air Doll........

"Air Doll" is a Japanese film by director, Hirokazu Koreeda which featured at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) for 2010. This film is based on the Manga series about an inflatable sex doll that finds a soul and falls in love.

This film stirred up mixed reviews by many of the viewers as some commented on how slow it was and others found it too unbelievable. I would argue those that found the film unbelieveable would be taking it too literally. The film is a social commentary on the isolation and loneliness that many of us are faced with today and it has been reported this is particularly the case for youths living in Japan.

Apart from the obvious details such as the representation of the inflatable doll coming too life, I felt the film stayed true to its comic book origins with certain scenes shot as though they were taken straight from the comic book, albeit less stylised than director Robert Rodriguez in his version of the graphic novel, "Sin City". One final scene in the film captures such a moment where "Air Doll" is viewed from above sprawled between some rubbish bins on an abandoned street.

- A melancholy and romantic film.

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The Strange Case of Angelica.....

I was equally disappointed with Manoel de Oliveira's film "The Strange Case of Angelica" as I was excited about his feature for the 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival, "Eccentricities of a Blond Haired Girl."

"The Strange Case of Angelica" was indeed a strange film with the main character "Isaac" (played by actor Ricardo Trepa) becoming increasingly frustrating with his obsession for the dead woman "Angelica" that he has never met.

Manoel de Oliveira has kept his leading man from "Eccentricities of a Blond Haired Girl", who interestingly is also his grandson in reality. The character of Isaac is a somber one towards in his outlook on life and he is also hiding a secret past. Isaac also has an interest in history and the mechanics of the past, where things were manufactured by hand and the protestant work ethic was seen as a dignified path in life.  It's interesting that the film reflects this notion in its timeless setting which apart from the cars and trucks that we see in this film, could be set in any time period. Issac's character also plays with this timeless theme by wearing a formal suit every day and accessorising this with a hat and an SLR camera housed in an old and cumbersome case. This attention to detail was impressive however the films plot is frustrating with the interaction between Isaac and Angelica being minimal and the reason for Isaac's obsession never really explored.

Quintessentially this film is a story of love and that unbearable feeling of not being able to live without the other person but the motivation for these intense feelings are left unexplained.

- Although frustrating at times still an enjoyable film.

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Love In A Puff.......

"Love in a Puff" is a Hong Kong feature film showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). Your typical romantic comedy, the film centres on the two main characters, Jimmy and Cherie and their romance which blossoms over 5 days.

Much like its title the film is light and fluffy but also has its touching moments when the characters reveal their true feelings for one another and the awkwardness that ensues.

Easy to watch and similar to your typical romantic comedy usually starring the likes of Jennifer Aniston, this film however, does stand out for its dialogue which is reminiscent of a Woody Allen film in its honest portrayal of falling in love.

- Entertaining but equally forgettable.

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Bibliotheque Pascal.........

Bibliotheque Pascal is a Hungarian/German and UK feature premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). This film is about our imaginations and how we can change our perception of reality to make it more palpable and such is the case for Mona, the protagonist in this drama.

Mona's reality is slightly skewed, highly amusing and alarming all at once. She is a part Hungarian/Romanian gypsy scheming to make a better life for herself.  The story begins with Mona in a meeting with a welfare agency discussing her daughter who has been in child protection whilst Mona has been abroad in London, sold to the sex industry. Mona is asked to recount events that led to her current predicament and its here where reality and perception become blurred.  The cinematography in this film, which I loved for its surreal moments works to highlight moments of Mona's altered reality.

Monas recollections begin with a scene set in a small village somewhere in Hungary where she recounts how she met the father of her child and in typical Mona style it's an extraordinary set of circumstances that lead to this event. Mona's tale continues to unravel as she recounts pertinent moments from the past and in one scene (which I really loved) we are transported to a local fair where Mona runs a one woman puppet show. The puppet show consists of a little polyurethane umbrella type structure that Mona uses not only for her play but as a shelter for her daughter. Mona spins the umbrella around to reveal different scenes from the tale she tells and the simplicity and creativity in this is absolutely amazing.

Mona's daughter also has a special gift, she is able to project her dreams for all to see whilst sleeping and this plot line is used throughout the film to reveal a little about her own reality and concerns for her mother.

In the final scene of the film we are given the picture perfect image of Mona and her daughter, or is it? They are keeping house in an extraordinary little apartment and nestle in for the evening which is just another example of Mona's twisted reality.

I loved the imagery in this film and the parallel's with Mona's imagination as these moments serve to lighten the mood of an otherwise bleak story.

- Highly entertaining, Mona is an enigmatic character!

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The Housemaid..

"The Housemaid" is a remake of the 1960's Korean film of the same name. Director of the 2010 version Im Sang-soo, was a guest at the premier of his film at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) last night. The film as I had understood it was one of revenge however the revenge came later in the film than expected...

"The Housemaid" is about a young woman Eun-Yi who secures a job as the new live-in nanny/housemaid for an affluent family in South Korea. Working with the older and cynical housemaid Byeong-Sik, the new nanny is lured into an affair of sort's with the master of the house, Hoon. The affair results in Eun-Yi becoming pregnant and it's during the course of these events that we see the true nature of the housemaid's employer and extended family. Revenge they say is usually sweet but it's hard to consider this in light of the event's that subsequently take place in the Hoon household.

The film is set in an opulent Korean mansion and Hoon's wife Hae-ra and mother-in-law show all the signs of Western influence in their dress,appearance and ideal's. The final scene of the film is spoken in English and is a David Lynch inspired moment that show's the impact of past event's on Hoon and Hae-ra's own daughter, Nami.

As director Im Sang-soo states, his films are an anthropological exploration of the changing culture in South Korea. He doesn't intend to judge his characters and their behavior but as a viewer of the film it is difficult not to do so. The Hoon family are firm believer's that money can solve any problem which is evident in the way that they treat the housemaid and it also brings power as Hae-ra's mother emphasises in a scene where they discuss Hoon's infidelity.

This film is a chilling account of the rich and powerful in South Korea and their total disregard for the lower classes of society.

- A thriller that will shock in it's final moment's.

http://charisse-movierevue.blogspot.com

The Silent House...

The 'Silent House' is a Uruguayan horror film by director Gustavo Hernández which made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival 2010 and is screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). This movie has received lots of attention as it was filmed with a digital camera and shot in one take. Fairly remarkable as the films running time is about 1hour and a half.

Suspense is built well in this film with clever use of the sound-track to indicate moments of trepidation and horror. We are caught up in the horror of the situation as the heroine Laura's (actress, Florencia Colucci) briefly escapes from the house and we hear the world and all sound as if we are swimming underwater or rather drowning in the situation as Laura is.

The movie is a visual one with clever use of filming that also builds suspense. One scene set in pure darkness where the heroine has lost her lamp and lights up the room with a Polaroid camera revealing some frightening images is particularly 'scream worthy!'

The main issue I had with this film was the plot which as revealed towards the end of the film seems a little fantastical. The heroines action's don't match with the sequence of events and the rationale and motivations that are finally revealed. We are also left with a number of unanswered questions that don't add to the suspense but frustrate the viewer.

- Take It or Leave It (scary at times but ultimatley nonsensical!)

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MIFF 2010

The Melbourne International Film Festival is upon us, with the official opening night being this Thursday, 22nd July. The new Australian Film, "The Wedding Party" will debut on this night.


The festivals special guest this year is director, Joe Dante of "Gremlin's" fame and features a retrospective of many of his much loved films plus conversations with the man himself.

This years MIFF also features a number of added attractions such as Late Night screenings at Cinema Nova, Drive-In movies at the Docklands and 3D films at the planetarium, as well as the usual host of films selected from major festivals around the globe!

So check out all the action below and this blog for more information and reviews.


http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/index.php