TOO COOL TO KILL, directed by Xing Wenxiong *

 A film within a film, this gangster spoof has unique funny scenes within an implausible confusing plot. A Chinese comedy, its true star is Wei Xiang, is cast in the role as Killer Karl whose name becomes synonymous with gangster rough and tough action. The actor has spent years dreaming to become a film star and when he meets and stars opposite his female idol, Milan – played by Ma Li - his wish comes true (though his acting is less than desirable).  he gets entangled in danger with duplicitous characters. This actor could well compete for a Charlie Chaplin award. He’s very funny. His slap stick movements and facial expression a steal the whole show. Who cares if this plot is hard to follow, it’s pure fun at its silliest.

STRONG FEMALE LEAD, directed by Tosca Looby *****

 

Australia is right at the top when it comes to misogyny. In fact, so wide spread is it, it has reached the country's highest echelons of government. Of course, when most of the leaders are men; but then along came Julia Gillard who ran for Prime Minister in 2010, and won, putting the Labor Party at the helm. The insidious hatred of women was overtly up front and center. No shame at all.

A tirade of outrageous attacks on Ms. Gillard were not about her policies, but her gender. She was called a liar, a witch bitch, the leader with a huge behind and more. Upon the death of her father and her two-week absence, she was accused of having her father die in shame with her leading the country. She lashed out with a venomous attack against Tony Abbott, leader of the opposition party who spearheaded the humiliating campaign against her while she was in power

 Her speech became “I was offended when this man said this; I was offended when this man said that". And so on and so on. It was surely the most powerful speech every voiced against a misogynist leader. She called an election after being in power for only 3 years and she lost. But she forever changed the perceptions and attitudes that profoundly affected her country. She went on to lecture around the world for education, women’s rights and for the physically and mentally challenged. This is a brilliant documentary about a very brave and strong person.

VERA DREAMS OF THE SEA (Directed by Kaltrinia Ktasniqui) ****

 

 A stark glimpse into men controlling inheritance laws in Kosovo. But this is  really a film about a strong woman who signs for a living. Her husband, a judge has just committed suicide. This is covered up in the news, as is his gambling problem. Vera is pressured to sign away a little home to her brother-in-law and his posse of manipulators. Vera is magnificently played with stoic focus by the brilliant actress Teuta Adjini. The film is dark yet heroic.

BREAD AND TULIPS, directed by Silvio Saldino*****

 I loved this charming Italian film about a woman who finds love and her own freedom - by not staying behind for the bus to pick her up at a stop during a tour of Italy. The bus driver has forgotten her and  the bus returns to get her, but she is nowhere to be found. Her husband is mean and furious. She decides to go to Venice and this is where her authentic self begins. Moving from room to room, she meets a mysterious and very kind man named Fernando. He gives up his room for her as well. Fernando runs a restaurant with no cook. This is how Rosalba and him meets. The relationship grows ever so subtly but genuinely into a love. But Rosalba is shamed into returning to her dull house wife work back home to an angry ungrateful husband. How it ends is so heartwarming. This romantic gem shows that love can happen at any age with the least suspecting suitor at the most unsuspecting times. 

SISTERHOOD, Directed by Dina Duma ****

 

An extraordinary plot featuring two inseparable friends - both excellent swimmers. Jana is a daredevil and manipulates Maya, the introvert of the two, who always gives in to Jana. Out of control drunken teenage boys party with the girls and others – one in particular that everyone calls a slut. Her name is Helena. Her sexual act with one of the boys meant to be private is caught by the two girls and they post the act.

Things get very bad for the girls and between them when a catastrophe happens. Jana makes sure that the secret they have is never told. But Maya struggles with this terrible secret, and guilt eats her up. Conflicts between Jana and Maya reach their apex. This is a marvellously acted film in which the  Macedonian director, Dina Duva plays Helena. A great take on how even the closest of friendships can rupture.

Dina Duva

Here are famous quotes from Socrates

• When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.
• The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves.
• Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
• The unexamined life is not worth living.
• We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
• I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
• The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.
• 
• 
  

FANTASIA GETS IT  RIGHT WITH FILMS SHOWING QUIRKINESS AND INSIGHT  SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL IN DANGEROUS TIMES

KING CAR, directed by Renata Pinheiro***

 

 A theme that juxtaposes ecological organic experimentation by a group of forward-looking agronomist student with mechanic advancement innovated by a strange family. Here is a film that makes humans become slaves to a talking car, named King Car.

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This old car was refurbished and brought to life after a new law prohibited old cars on the road.  We see humans becoming monkeys again and cars becoming demonic leaders. It is so well acted and the unusual turn of events makes its own compelling message about our love affair with technology embodied in a car.

ALIEN ON STAGE, DIRECTED BY LUCY HARVEY***

When ordinary working class folk with divergent personalities take their stage show with the silliest plot from the dull life of Dorset, England to London's West End theatre district, lifelong dreams become true for this humble lot of thespians. It's a charming piece that puts their collective pipe dream on the stage. It warms the heart to watch the ordinary become extraordinary.

 

LOST BOYS, directed by  Sadri Cetinkaya & Joonas Neuvonen ****   

It's just so sad to see two bros descend into hell because of drugs. South East Asia has claimed the life of one brother gone missing. Joonas travels bravely to find out what happened to his friend. It's described as a  related sequel to sequel to Reindeerspotting. A Quebec premiere that's terribly human and frightening. It's depressing and compelling.

 

 SWEETIE, YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT, directed by Emar Nurgaliev *

This is a fishing trip gone terribly wrong. Good friends game for adventure are pursued by a rather clumsy gangster, but things really turn dangerous when a psycho killer makes sure they never catch a fish to bring home. They call it a comedy, but I found it a dark badly edited unfunny film to say the least.

PAUL DOOD’S DEADLY LUNCH BREAK, directed by Nick Gillespie ***

A Brit Monty Python-type quirky character named Paul (Tom Meeton) is intent on getting to a talent show audition on time. He misses the train; his mom dies on the way in her wheelchair, but only after the phoney Buddhist tea-shop owner won’t give Paul water to save his mom from choking; and to top it off, the star host of the talent show mercilessly  destroys Paul's solo act and his personality.

 Intent on revenge, Paul peels back the layers of politeness, and gives all the horrid petty people who have deprived him of his moment of fame  -  their own moment to shine... in blood.  Some of the scenes are pure genius especially seen in the way the priest and his partner get their comeuppance.This fun revenge film is totally off the wall. I would say that Paul’s mom steals the on screen show, more than Paul.  Together, they create a crazy mom and son team - each covered in sparkles and fancy dress costume – typical to British comedy culture. 

It really has a fabulous start, but the rest becomes a confusing clutter after Paul finally gets to perform his act in front of the host of the show. 

I think there is a serious social comment in the film. The fact Paul only gets famous after he killed people, who belittled him before, shows -- despite the light-hardheartedness of it all -- just how scary it is that social media can influence people beyond reason.

FOLLOW THE LIGHT, Directed by Yoichi Narata *

Not so good despite the lovely scenery. A wild child named Maki goes on the roof waiting for a space ship to take her away. Meanwhile a young teen is captivated by this strange girl, and puts his talent to work, drawing her.

 He’s a fine artist who will be doing a mosaic mural for the school closing. This film is just so bad in tying together small village life, economic woes and teacher apathy. It all seems to come together by a green light in the sky – perhaps a flying saucer indeed according to reporting. A crop circle does nothing to bring this film full circle. Personally, the characters got on my nerves. A strange coming-of-age film with no impact.