Blame..

Blame is an Australian feature funded by the MIFF Premiere Fund and written and directed by VCA graduate Michael Henry. The film stars some well known young Australian actors, Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate) and Kestie Morassi (Wolf Creek).

The friend I went and saw this film with begged me not to be harsh in my review of this first feature by Michael Henry, especially after being privy to some Q&A time where he shared his story of the 10 years of struggle to realise this project. So I will refrain a little from being too harsh but I will suggest that the story has a great premise an attempted murder and the sequence of events that ensure everything doesn't go according to plan! I do, however, have to comment on some of, what I thought was overacting in the film which lessened the impact that was intended from the film at certain points. One such brooding character looked as though he would be more at home playing one of the brooding characters in the "Twilight" franchise.....

Overall the film succeeded in bringing an atmosphere of tension to the screen and well done to writer/producer, Michael Henry for his passion and persistence, an example to us all.

- A thriller with a clever little twist..

The Tree......

"The Tree" stars French Actress/Singer Charlotte Gainsbourg playing a recently widowed mother of four children somewhere in outback Queensland. Her daughter Simone (played by young actress Morgana Davies) is struggling with the death of her father (briefly played by Australian actor Aden Young), and uses the giant Moreton Bay Fig Tree at the side of the house as a way of communicating with him.

Simone shares this secret with her mother Dawn, (Charlotte Gainsbourg) in an attempt to bring the two closer together as it seems day by day Dawn is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the mundaneness of everyday life.

This is a lovely story with an endearing and exceptional performance from young actress Morgana Davies and she is equally compelling to watch as her screen mother, Charlotte Gainsbourg. Charlotte Gainsbourg's role as the widowed mother is at times frustrating as she seems to lack any sympathy or concern for her children's feelings they too go through the grieving process all in their individual ways, with the youngest child refusing to speak. When Dawn begins a relationship with the local plumber and invites him to the families first Christmas without their father, we see her selfishness and pursuit of happiness despite her childrens feelings.

The giant Fig Tree is central to this story as it begins to overtake the family's lives in more ways than one, and Simone is determined to guard it from harms way.

- A talented young cast that complements Charlotte Gainsbourg's character.

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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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