ANGELO: Languid vignettes of a tragic life and the worst excesses of colonialism and aristocracy’s fascination with the black ‘savage’. Poignant but found it difficult to get into (not helped by the small screen at SMOCA and bad masking) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #MIFF2019
WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE WORLD’S ON FIRE: Looking more like an arthouse film than a doco. Touches of Wiseman but somehow manages to be both rambling and seemingly contrived ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #MIFF2019
BEANPOLE: Assured direction and a well-crafted script makes for engaging and, at times, devastating storytelling. Amazing colour palette from golden hues to splashes of bright green to that fiery red jumper in the last scene ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 #MIFF2019
I WAS THERE, BUT ... I didn’t get it. Obtuse and largely uninteresting aside from a couple of scenes. The guy who commented ‘postmodern drivel’ probably summed it up. #MIFF2019
MONOS: Stunning cinematography and assaulting soundtrack with hold-your-breath moments. Tense, action-packed, maniacal, beautiful, shocking descent into madness. My fave of #MIFF2019 so far!
LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT: Moody, dreamlike Chinese neon-noir shot through a lens of obstructions and blurry foregrounds. Like memory itself. But dark and sloooowww conducive to snoozing 😏 ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
HIS LOST NAME: Firmly in the Japanese-y tradition of restrained performances and measured observation of ordinary members of society. Resists going full Single White Male ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #MIFF2019
Melbourne shines in MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Stylish tale of forbidden love, vengeance and bonds familial and otherwise, with an incredible soundtrack ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BUT started 55 minutes late grrr!! We don’t need so many speeches thanks @MIFFofficial#MIFF2019
#MIFF2018 Special mentions
Favourite documentary: Chris the Swiss
Most interactive audience: Mandy at Cage-a-thon
Worst ad: Grey Goose & Jamie Foxx on the blue suede/crushed velvet couch with Dwyane typo
Weirdest moment: Mid-film audience punch on in a 11am war doco screening
BLAZE: Bio film with a lot of heart, lovely sepia colour palette and soul-stirring country tunes. Some dialogue was hard to catch though. Is my ear not accustomed to the Southern drawl or was it the sound at the Forum? #MIFF2018