#41

The Lighthouse was fucking wild. It had some amazing moments and the performances were top notch - Willem Dafoe is an absolute gift - but I’m not sure I can say I enjoyed it.

#42

Thoroughly enjoyed The Lighthouse even though much of it is a barking mad fever dream. Then went to The Traitor which is an enthralling account of 80s Cosa Nostra trials. The Italian court scenes are utterly bizarre.

#43

The Report

The true story of Daniel Jones and the senate investigation into CIA torture post-9/11. This is a fine, well-meaning and slightly portentous film that is very talky, but unfortunately decides that the audience should be told, and not shown, what is going on. Too often Sen. Feinstein is made to offer a handy recap just in case the audience haven’t worked out that something is of great IMPORTANCE.

I also had a feeling that the film is a little naive and places a lot of faith in the American system to uncover, publicly acknowledge and atone for its mistakes. This was confirmed by the director at the Q&A afterwards, who didn’t seem to grasp that the current president is not an aberration, and that the system has protected the likes of the CIA from the deserved consequences of their actions over the years. It also lionises John McCain at the end in a scene that wouldn’t look out of place in the most sentimental of Sorkin’s output.

It’s worth seeing though - the cast list is very deep in this - it’s a very tightly focused film with lots of significant people played excellently by terrific actors, many totally against type.

October 2020 Film Thread
#44

I mostly liked Zombi Child but there is a plot contrivance that doesn’t hang together even with the rules set out in the film. Slightly disappointing.

#45

Just back from Synchronic. Decent.

1 Like
#46

Este no es Berlin (This is not Berlin)

Set against the backdrop of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, this is a highly autobiographical exploration of the burgeoning Mexico City underground scene by director Hari Sama. The film is particularly good at portraying the mundane life of the two protagonists at home, and the contrast of their exciting adventures in the much more pretentious avant-garde circles and the associated sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. Special mention for the excellent choice of music throughout, from NY experimental vocalist Meredith Monk to Germany’s industrial noise merchants Einstürzende Neubauten.

Highly recommended.

#47

Absolutely adored Atlantique. Best thing I’ve seen at the Festival so far. A properly M.R.James ghost story set against the crashing waves of the Senegal coast.

#48

I enjoyed Atlantics too.

I saw The House Of Us later in the afternoon. Really loved that.

#49

not gonna hold back here. this is phenomenal. a dreamy, yet politically and profoundly emotional work. but then i was lucky enough to work on it so might be somewhat biased. Rylance is obscenely good as are all cast. photography exquisite. guess few will see it. but i wish everyone could. old school arthouse all the way. just the stuff i grew up on. Coetzee is a genius. and Guerra might be too. immense.

#50

And Then We Danced

Set mostly in Tbilisi, this film uses classic macho Georgian folk dance as a metaphor for the tension between older Georgians, who grew up in the Soviet era and want to hold on to their traditional way of life, and the younger generation, who have access to the Internet and a much more open outlook on society. Swedish writer/director of Georgian descent Levan Atkin does an almost perfect job under difficult circumstances, and several actors and musicians are credited as ‘anonymous’ out of fear of reprisal, given the controversial nature of the film.

Following the showing last night the audience gave a standing ovation, with Atkin and lead actor Levan Gelbakhiani present, and deservedly so. The film has also been selected as the Swedish entry for the “Best International Feature Film” at next year’s Oscars.

#51

Had hoped to get tickets to this one but missed out.

#52

Saw Rialto on Sunday. Thought it was great, brilliant performances from everyone. Interestingly, the film’s description on the BFI site missed out the central premise of the film that the main character was experimenting with his sexuality with a teenage boy/young man so I had no idea about that element of the storyline until we were watching it. Quite heavy but the relatively short running time of 90 minutes means you aren’t overwhelmed by hopelessness. Would recommend.

Only other one we have tickets for is Give Me Liberty on Friday, feel like that one could go either way.

#53

Seeing that on Thursday.

#54

Saw Colour Out Of Space last night. It was great; funny, absurd, grotesque in places, totally OOT and bonkers throughout. As a lifelong Hardware fan, so good to have Richard Stanley back. And Joely Richardson was there at the start so that made me happy. Thumbs up!

#55

I was there too! I liked it a lot, but thought Nicolas Cage was a little too OTT, to the extent where it felt a bit detrimental to the vision of the film (even though it was meant to be absurd and grotesque as you said).

#56

Yeah I read some reviews and they rightly said he’s pretty unhinged from the get-go which devalues what happens later - while that could be the fault of the director blah blah, I guess Cage is pretty unmanageable as Joely heavily alluded to during the chat. Anyway, what a great two hours of cinema - everyone was up for it and into it. Greed tomorrow (my only other one) will be a v different vibe!

#57

Saw Illustrious Corpses - new print of a great 1970s Italian conspiracy thriller with serious Parallax View vibes, starring Max von Sydow, Fernando Rey (Froggy from The French Connection) and Lino Ventura (lots of 1960s French cinema, including plenty of Melville) at Cine Lumiere - what a beautiful main screen. Might go back for The Third Man, tbh. Now waiting for La Llorona in the West End Vue. Multiplex catering is fucking dreadful - slow and poor. LL is supposed to start at 845, it’s 843 and everyone is stood in the lobby because the screen isn’t ready. Is this normal?

#58

Yeah, by the end of the day things can be running a little late, especially if there are Q&As and press junkets for the people involved.

2 Likes
#59

So, La Llorona was a seriously potent mix of politics and ghost story that deserves a wider release, but I’ve just come out of Tell Me Who I Am, which is just breathtaking. It’s a documentary about memories lost (one in a motorcycle accident, another, well, it’s hard to say without spoilers), love, family, survival and a lot else beside. It finished an hour ago and I’ve not begun to get my head around what I’ve watched - the brothers from the film did a Q&A along with the director at the end and came across as articulate, together, decent people. It’s on Netflix from Oct 18, and I’d strongly recommend it.

#60

Uncut Gems was the surprise film, very positive response on Twitter.