August 2011

Okay, welcome to our inaugural monthly newsletter!

This has been a remarkably busy month for MFC and as many of you know, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is on right now with many interesting films screening.

Natural Selection (MIFF)

We've just been to see Natural Selection and The Kid with a Bike, two excellent foreign films. Natural Selection is an independent film from the United States which takes a lighthearted look at Southern values while poking some fun at conservative Christianity.

A childless Texan woman discovers that her devoutly Christian husband has been secretly donating his sperm for the past twenty-five years. Now on his deathbed, she decides it's time to find their son, who turns out to be a small time drug dealer and petty criminal on the run in Florida after escaping prison.

Both characters are beautifully portrayed, and while the film is definitely a comedy its humour is often subtle and intelligent, and does not detract from some of the film's more serious moments.

Five of us went along to see Natural Selection, and all gave it a thumbs up!

The Kid with a Bike (MIFF)

Our second MIFF film was the rather more serious and occasionally claustrophobic Belgium film The Kid with a Bike. A slice in the life of eleven year old Cyril at a time when he's living in an orphanage abandoned by his absent father. Cyril wants to be reunited with his father, and discover the whereabouts of his bike, which he believes his father may have with him.

As the story progresses, we go along as Cyril finds his father and discover that he no longer wants to be a part of Cyril's life. Cyril is instead taken in by Samatha, who becomes his foster parent, and we watch as Cyril goes through the process of adapting to his new life and circumstances, including a run in with the local gang and a drug dealer.

Strong performances from both principal actors really bring this film to life. In the end, we come out with the feeling that Cyril will probably be okay if only he can find a stable life and adapt to the behaviour of the adults around him.

Upcoming MIFF films

As part of our MIFF program, we're seeing three more films in the next week:

Tuesday 2 August - Our Idiot Brother (USA)

Jailed for selling pot, Ned finds upon his release from prison he that he's been deserted by his girlfriend, who won't let him back on their organic farm. Jobless and homeless, Ned embarks on a couch-hopping tour through the homes of his three self-absorbed sisters - played with quiet exasperation by Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks and Zooey Deschanel. Unwittingly causing havoc in their personal and professional lives, Ned ultimately brings a little perspective too.

Wednesday 3 August - Troll Hunter (MIFF)

Forget Sasquatch or Area 51, for years the Norweigan government has been involved in the biggest cover-up the world has ever known - or rather, not known. Not just made-up stories to keep Scandinavian children awake at night, the mythical troll exists, and Norway has its own program to keep troll numbers down, for the safety of everyone.

Like The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield, this through-the-lens mockumentary packs plenty of frantic fun and humour into a gripping exposé of a creature once believed to be the stuff of fairy tales.

Saturday 6 August - Fire in Babylon (UK)

One for the cricket nerds. The West Indian cricket team of the early 70s was a joke to the rest of the world. Dubbed 'calypso cricketers', they were goaded by racist abuse and suffered a string of humiliating losses, until a new captain and a fierce determination saw them rise up to dominate the cricketing world for almost two decades.

Featuring a Bob Marley-infused soundtrack, gripping archival footage of the games (plenty of which feature the Australian teams of the 70s and 80s) and interviews with the key players, Fire in Babylon tells a story that transcends the realm of sport - describing events that would galvanise a new sense of pride and nationhood among the peoples of the Caribbean.

But wait, there's more...

I did say this was a busy month. Proving there is life after the MIFF, we have two more films scheduled are more on the horizon.

Sunday 14 August - Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Given that we've seen quite a few weighty films this year (not to mention last month's ponderous Tree of Life), I thought it's time we saw a few light-weight films. Kicking off the fun this month is Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a reboot of the venerable 70s film series.

Beginning in modern day San Francisco (United States), chimpanzee Caesar is a test subject for a new Alzheimer's treatment which unintentionally increases the ape's intelligence. The gene enhanced Caesar is now able to break free from his captivity and start a revolution.

Saturday 27 August - Can't Stop the Serenity (Equality Now Charity Screening)

Indulge your ultimate geekiness while doing something positive for women's rights. Equality Now works to promote gender equality in those countries with the worst reputations for women's rights by campaigning on issues such as female genital mutilation, basic rights and economic and opportunity equality.

Can't Stop the Serenity is a special fund raising screening of Joss Whedon's 2005 Space Western Serenity. Set in 2518, Serenity is the story of the captain and crew of a cargo ship. The captain and first mate are veterans of the Unification War, having fought on the losing side. Their lives of petty crime are interrupted by a psychic passenger who harbours a dangerous secret.

Serenity, and the Firefly television series which spawned it, has gained a cult following amongst it's fans, known colloquially as Browncoats. This charity screening is fittingly organised by the Melbourne Browncoats, as part of the Can't Stop the Serenity global event.

On the horizon (not yet scheduled)...

Following on with our own little sci-fi festival, we'll be seeing Cowboys and Aliens sometime in late August or early September. In addition, Palace Cinemas are hosting the Russian "Resurrection" Festival this month and I'll shortly be scheduling at least one or two films - please get in touch if you have any recommendations or requests!

See you at the movies!